The Official Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Training Blog

International ShakeOut Day 10-18-18

Each area of the United States is susceptible to certain types of natural disasters. Whether they morph into full-blown catastrophes depends on what we do now to prepare, survive and recover. One potential disaster that threatens millions of Americans each year is earthquakes.

To help people prepare, FEMA sponsors an annual campaign designed to inspire ShakeOut drills each October. This year’s Great ShakeOut willbe on 10/18/18 at 10:18 a.m. More than 20 million people in the United States, from all states and territories, are expected to participate, along with millions of others worldwide. Since the first event was held in 2008 in California, 2018 marks the 10^th Anniversary of ShakeOut. (more…)

National Fire Prevention Week: “Look. Listen. Learn.”

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson announced the first ever event to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred in October of 1874. Each October since 1924, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has led the annual charge to implement National Fire Prevention Week™. This year’s observance takes place this week, with the theme, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere™.”

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Each year, government organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), nonprofit agencies, such as the American Red Cross and private enterprise, including Allied Universal, to mark September as the official month to observe national emergency preparedness. All year long, members of educational, municipal and community groups across the United States should prepare to respond to an infectious disease outbreak, chemical or radiological release, or other manmade or natural disaster. To that end, September 15 is designated National Day of Action. While the CDCis using this year’s campaign to highlight preparedness in regard to public health, FEMA is turning its attention toward emergency planning.  (more…)

Despite the migration of millions of American employees to home offices, 78 percent of the U.S. workforce still report for duty at a company facility, at least part-time. So, safety in the workplace remains of paramount importance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2016, which occurred at a rate of 2.9 cases per 100 full-time workers.

Workplace Injuries

Potential causes of workplace injuries and death range from fatigue (due to inadequate ergonomics or overexertion); substance abuse; slips, trips and falls; to natural and manmade disasters, including workplace violence. If a major emergency occurs or you get hurt on the job, everyone pays the price—in down time, lost productivity, low morale and economic impacts. But when we work together to create a safer place to work, we’re all more productive and satisfied with our jobs and business operations are better prepared to recover. For the purposes of this post, we will focus on workplace safety before, during and after disasters. 

Workplace Disasters

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates two million people fall victim to workplace violence each year. Employees in retail and healthcare are particularly vulnerable, but it can happen anywhere. Working with your local police department can help you control risk and plan for incidents that might occur. Whatever the cause of the workplace emergency, your attitudes and actions can impact your ability to survive the situation. Whether manmade (terrorist attack or coworker’s violent aggression) or natural (severe weather or earthquake), workplace disasters require specific preparation and reactions.

Official Safety Training

One way to make sure you are ready is to complete Community Emergency Response Team training (CERT). The CERT program supports local response capability by training volunteers to spontaneously organize themselves at the disaster site, to provide immediate assistance to victims, and to collect disaster intelligence to support responders’ efforts when they arrive. But CERT is not the only way to prepare yourself for a workplace emergency. Wherever you work, you play a critical role in creating a safe and healthy workplace for everyone by following pre-established emergency procedures and measures.

To help, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has produced a free booklet about citizen preparedness, which may help you if disaster strikes when you are at work. Entitled “Are You Ready?”—the in-depth guide walks readers through steps to take to keep them safe in any hazardous situation. FEMA’s awareness campaign is called: “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.”That’s wise advice for employers as well as individuals.Emergency response planning can save lives, reduce the number of injuries, and prevent loss of property.

To be safe at work, before disaster strikes:

• Identify potential workplace hazards and safety roles and responsibilities. Know that workplace disasters can strike at any time, with little or no warning.
• Conduct a job safety analysis to establish proper work procedures to help prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
• Executives and safety officers must keep communication open to make sure workers are comfortable with learning and offer feedback.
• Maximize personal safety at your regular workspace. Keep area free from clutter.
• Participate in safety training drills.
• Report hazards, incidents, and near-misses.
• Take steps to control flammable and combustible materials in your department and make sure they do not pose a fire or explosion hazard. (For example, large accumulations of waste paper or other combustible materials can pose fire risk.)
• Ask for help, when needed, to maintain your safety.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit.
• Obey “No Smoking” rules. Careless disposal of cigarettes and matches can lead to fires and explosions.
• Store and handle hazardous materials properly, according to the instructions on the label and on the safety data sheet.
• Use and maintain equipment properly.

During & After an Emergency:

• Stay alert. Just as you drive defensively on the road, use the same caution at work.
• Know the risks and danger signs.
• Don’t get into situations you are not trained to handle.
• Identify at least two ways out of any potentially hazardous situation.
• Volunteer to help others.
• Listen to officials for information about evacuation or sheltering in place.
• Repair damaged property.
• Take steps to prevent or reduce future loss.

About the Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Services System

No matter the type of emergency you may face while at work, take steps to make sure you are safe. Our interactive, building-specific e-learning program helps commercial, residential, educational, institutional, government, retail and industrial buildings with compliance to fire life safety codes and rewards building occupants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to the training needs of your facility. Click here for more information or to subscribe.

People who live or work in high-rise residential or commercial buildings face very specific disaster-preparedness challenges. Emergencies such as fires, bomb scares, weather-related incidents and earthquakes present special dangers for high-occupancy buildings, such as dormitories, apartment homes, condominiums and office complexes. The best defense is a coordinated emergency-response plan that identifies potential risks and outlines the best response.With limited access to egress, if you’re in a high-rise when disaster strikes, you might need to stay in the building until the emergency passes. Or, if evacuation is necessary, you would need to quickly find the exit.

The good news is that high-rise building requirements include more working sprinklers and fire alarm equipment than non-high-rise facilities. And if your building owner or manager subscribes to the Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Training System, first responders will have access to building-specific instructions, which will help in emergency situations. To help make sure you are prepared, we have assembled some tips to keep you safe.

High-Rise Disaster Safety Tips

In all situations—

• Take responsibility for your own safety. This is important because, in some situations, first response may be delayed in reaching you.
• Familiarize yourself with the safety features of your facility (fire alarms, sprinklers, voice communication procedures, evacuation plans and alarm response).
• Make sure exit and stairwell doors are clearly marked, remain unlocked and are free from debris and clutter which could obstruct the walkway.
• If an official makes an announcement, listen carefully and follow directions.
• If you are told to evacuate, go outside and gather at the pre-arranged meeting place.
• Stay put until an official instructs you it is safe to return to the building.

For Fire—

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)reports there are approximately 16,000 to 20,000 fires in high-rise buildings each year. This represents 2 to 4 percent of all building fires. If you are in a high-rise when fire breaks out:

• Well in advance of an emergency, find the locations of all available exit stairs from your floor in case the nearest one is blocked by fire or smoke.
• Don’t automatically run for the stairs. Stay put and wait for instructions.
• If it is clear you should evacuate, pull the alarm on your way out, to notify the fire department and your neighbors. Don’t assume someone else will handle this.
• If the fire alarm sounds, feel the door before opening and close all doors behind you as you leave. If the door is hot, find another way out. If it is cool, leave by the nearest exit.
• Instead of taking the elevator, use the stairs in a fire, unless the fire department instructs otherwise. Some buildings come equipped with elevators, which are intended for emergency use. Such elevators should be clearly marked.
• If someone is trapped in the building, notify the fire department.
• If you are unable to evacuate your apartment or high-rise workplace in a fire due to flames, smoke or a disability, stuff wet towels or sheets around the door and vents to keep smoke out. Call the fire department to alert officials to your location.
• Slightly open a window and wave a bright-colored cloth to signal your location. However, be prepared to close the window if smoke conditions worsen.

To Shelter in Place—

In some emergency scenarios, you may need to stay put instead of evacuating.

• If you are in a high-rise building during a flood or storm surge, stay on floors located just above flood waters.
• In case of a hurricane or other situations which could produce strong winds, stay in hallways or interior rooms. Also, remember, modern high-rise buildings are built to sway with weather. So, the higher the floor, the more wind you will likely feel.
• If an earthquake occurs while you are in a high-rise building, stay put. Studies in Japan (Tokyo is home to 2,390 high-rise buildings and 114 skyscrapers) reveal that traversing as little as 10 feet during an earthquake significantly increases the odds of injury. Take Cover. The Great ShakeOut teaches participants to drop, cover and hold on. This is great advice during an earthquake, in any size building. If you are in a high-rise building when an active shooter incident occurs, run, hide or fight. When it is safe to do so, call 911 and describe the shooter, location, and weapons.

High-Rise Safety Resources:

FEMA Building Code Resources

National Fire Protection NFPA High-Rise Building Safety

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Evacuation & Sheltering-in-Place

About the Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Services System

No matter the type of emergency you may face while in a high-rise building, take steps to make sure you are safe. Our interactive, building-specific e-learning program helps commercial, residential, educational, institutional, government, retail and industrial buildings with compliance to fire life safety codes and rewards building occupants instantly! It’s a convenient and affordable solution to the training needs of your facility. Click here for more information or to subscribe.

Our hearts go out to earthquake victims, their family, friends and colleagues.

Earthquakes in the News

With two powerful earthquakes striking Mexico last month, now is a good time to reinforce the notion of earthquake safety. The 46th annual International ShakeOut Day will be held October 19, prompting millions of people worldwide to practice how to drop, cover, and hold on. In California, where Allied Universal’s Corporate West Headquarters is located, Great Shakeout Drills will occur on the 19th, at precisely 10:19 a.m. (more…)

Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Services recognizes National Safety Month

Observed each June, National Safety Month is an educational effort organized by the National Safety Council (NSC), which focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities. With the hashtag #KeepEachOtherSafe, the campaign concentrates on one aspect of safety each week. NSC efforts align with the Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Training goal to save lives through preparation. To increase awareness, we are offering the following blog post, to help promote week three of the campaign: “Prepare for Active Shooters.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recommends the following course of action if you find yourself in an active-shooter situation: RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. In other words, if you have the ability, quickly run as far away from the situation as possible. Then hide. Fight back only as a last resort. View this video to learn more:

Unfortunately, over the past few years, active shooting incidents have become all too common. Consider these two, for example, which have unfolded already this month in diverse locations across the country:

1. June 5, 2017, Beauty College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A lone gunman entered the Ravenscroft Beauty College shortly before 7 p.m. and began shooting. One woman was seriously injured while others on the scene escaped without harm. The shooter was later found deceased, from an apparent suicide. Preliminary police reports suggest this may have been the result of a domestic disturbance between the shooter and his victim.

2. June 5, 2017, Workplace Shooting, Orlando, Florida. A 45-year-old “disgruntled” employee entered his former workplace in Orlando armed with a semiautomatic handgun and a hunting knife. He fatally shot five people, and then committed suicide by turning the gun on himself.

Active shooter situations are quick and unpredictable. In many cases, in fact, the entire event will unfold before first responders arrive on scene. While facing an active shooter might be unimaginable, being prepared could save your life.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Pay attention to your environment and locate the nearest two exits in any place you visit.
• Run to a safe place immediately.
• Leave your belongings behind.
• If you’re unable to run, hide.
• If you’re somewhere with a door, lock it or barricade it shut.
• Silence electronic devices.
• Call 911 if it is safe to do so.
• As a last resort, try to incapacitate the shooter. In close-range cases, fighting increases your chance of survival.

About the NSC

Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the NSC is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas of greatest risk – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and safe communities.

About the Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Training System

Safety is important for everyone all year round, not just during National Safety Month. A convenient and affordable way to make sure you are prepared for disasters and emergencies of virtually every kind is to subscribe to the Allied Universal Fire Life Training System, which has been designed to help improve and save lives. For more information about the best system out there, or to subscribe, click here.

Additional active shooter response resources:

Information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Active Shooter Booklet
Active Shooter Poster
Active Shooter Information

Security Awareness Tips
Active Shooter Emergency Planning
Workplace Violence
Workplace Violence Prevention Planning

Take steps to “BeSafe” in 2017.

The year 2016 was a banner one for declared disasters in the United States – with emergencies of virtually every conceivable type devastating landscapes, manmade structures and victims across the country.

Declared Disasters

• Fires in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas. Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North & South Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
• Hurricanes/Tropical Storms in Hawaii, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin
• Mudslides & Landslides in Hawaii, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
• Severe Storms & Flooding in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia (DC), Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin
• Tornadoes in Hawaii, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia

Equally significant “undeclared” disasters broke records in 2016. These included biological and chemical threats, cyber terrorism, droughts, earthquakes, radiation and nuclear events, and volcanoes…to name a few. The good news is that lessons learned in 2016, through endurance, recovery, and rebuilding can help us make a fresh start to #BeSafe in 2017.

Plan 

• Take responsibility for your own personal safety. Make a mental note of emergency exits and locations of security personnel. Carry emergency contact details and special needs’ information.
• Put together a Go-Bag/Emergency Supply Kit.
• If you own your own business, take a cue from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to plan, prepare and protect.

Practice

• Prepare an evacuation plan.
• Post instructions.
• Run drills.

Pay Attention

• Access government websites for information about emerging threats as information is identified.
• Listen to instructions given before, during and after disasters from local law enforcement and public safety officials.
• Note travel alerts and warnings issued by the Department of State.
• Wherever you are, If you see something, say something.

For more safety resolutions from Allied Universal, click here.

Remember that safety is a priority for everyone all year long. A convenient and affordable way to make sure you are prepared for disasters and emergencies of virtually every kind is to subscribe to the RJWestmore Training System by Allied Universal Fire/Life Safety Services, which has been designed to help improve and save lives. For more information about the best system out there, or to subscribe, click here.

September marks National Preparedness Month, an annual awareness campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The event is intended to encourage individuals and businesses to take steps to proactively plan for disasters. The need for such awareness is great, since 60 percent of American adults say they have yet to put together and/or practice an emergency plan.

This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Plan Today.”

The campaign also features a sub-theme for each week of the month

• Week 1: Kick-off to National Preparedness Month
• Week 2: Preparing Family and Friends
• Week 3: Preparing through Service
• Week 4: Individual Preparedness
• Week 5: Lead-up to National Day of Action on September 30

Since a well-made emergency kit or “go-bag” (AKA a Bug-Out Bag) is the epitome of preparedness, we thought it fitting to focus this week’s post on how to prepare your own kit. With the right “go-bag,” you will be ready for any type of emergency and able to take care of yourself and possibly help others.

Include These Items in Your Disaster Kit

• A container for storage. If the kit will be stored in your home or office, you could use a new 33-gallon trash can. If you plan to stow the bag in the trunk of your car, consider using a large backpack or duffel.
• A fixed-blade knife
• A paper map of the immediate area
• A portable, hand-crank radio or a battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Books to read, games for kids to play
• Can opener
• Cash, preferably in small denominations
• Copies of personal documents such as birth certificates, passports, deeds, proof of address, insurance policies, etc.
• Duct tape
• Emergency contact information (Don’t rely on the information contained in your cell phone, as cell service could be temporarily disrupted depending on the type of emergency.)
• Enough food for up to three days, per person if evacuated, and enough for seven days per person at home.
• Enough water for one gallon per day, per person, for three days if evacuated, and enough for seven days per person at home.
• Extra clothing and a spare set of shoes (If packing for children, remember to swap out sizes as they grow.)
• Extra set of house and car keys
• First-aid kit with adhesive bandages, cold packs, sanitizer, gauze, tweezers, and antibiotic ointment
• Latex-free disposable gloves
• LED flashlights – especially valuable for building occupants who might need to spend the night in the dark following a major disaster
• Liquid bleach
• Matches
• Multi-purpose tool, such as a Leatherman
• Mylar-coated space blankets, which conserve heat and serve as signals
• N-95 or surgical masks (in case air quality is compromised)
• Pay-per-use cell phone and chargers, in case yours is damaged during the disaster
• Personal hygiene items
• Pet supplies including water and food as well as bowls and medication
• Plastic sheeting
• Portable water containers, ideally in non-breakable containers
• Prescription drugs, especially insulin, inhalers, or other life-dependent medicines (seven-day supply)
• Prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, and/or contact lenses
• Rain gear
• Scissors
• Stainless steel water bottle that can withstand boiling water, if necessary (to purify drinking water)
• Towels
• Whistle
• Work gloves

When preparing a go-bag, consider the types of disasters you’re likely to encounter in your area. For example, if you live in a hurricane zone, pack dry clothes, ponchos, waterproof containers, and water purification tools. In wildfire country, pack breathing masks and extra water. If you live in Tornado Alley, add bike helmets to your kit, to keep your head safe from flying debris and add sturdy shoes to keep your feet safe while walking around devastated areas.

For home or business, consider these additional items for managing a disaster that won’t fit into a traditional go-bag:

• A portable generator, along with extra gasoline
• Large LED lamps
• Long-term food storage containers should be on hand and should be stocked to feed everyone in the home for at least two weeks
• Water barrels and various accessories to purify and periodically clean the water

Develop a Communication Plan

As part of National Preparedness Month, the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) agency offers tips for creating a family communication plan for usage during an emergency. Such a plan is as important as food or water because it provides a guide for staying connected with loved ones when disaster strikes.

To create the plan:

• Collect information about each family member including health history, as well as contact information for their physicians.
• Print the contact information and ensure every member of the family has a copy in their bag. Also, consider posting a copy in a central area of the home.
• Make sure that contact and communication information expressly details meeting places after disaster.
• Practice following directions in the communication plan, including drilling children so they will memorize phone numbers and necessary safety steps to take following an emergency.

Maintaining a state of preparedness is essential for every month of the year, not just during September. A convenient and affordable way to make sure you are prepared for disasters and emergencies of virtually every kind is to subscribe to the Allied Universal Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services, which has been designed to help improve and save lives. For more information about the best system out there, or to subscribe, click here.

During an emergency which requires building evacuation, do not take the elevator.

The advancing age of many elevators and decreased preventative maintenance have recently given rise to the number of elevator failures, such as stalled cars. Nevertheless, elevators remain an exceedingly safe mode of transportation, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission reporting an average associated fatality rate of just 0.00000015% per trip, which represents a total of 27 deaths per year resulting from 18 billion rides. This statistic positions elevator rides as safer than vehicles, airplanes or even stairs

Elevator manufacturers stake their reputation on safety, investing considerable resources into redundant systems to help protect elevator occupants. Nevertheless, elevators occasionally malfunction and even break down. Safety malfunctions can involve doors, buttons, cables, and additional components.

Here are a few facts about elevator safety:

• Recall given for Porta elevators. The recall was necessary due to faulty electro mechanical door locks.
• Otis elevator operates a 38-story elevator test facility in Bristol, Connecticut to properly test cars, cables, and motors.
• Elevators manufactured by ThyssenKrupp elevator doors were opening between floors, exposing people to the elevator shaft.
• Firefighter Emergency Operations (FEO) transfers control and accessibility of elevator cabs from the public to firefighters during emergencies. Removing public access to elevators in emergencies reduces the possibility of injury or death resulting from cars that accidentally open up on a floor that has an active fire.

Core safety features of modern elevators:

• Electromagnetic brakes are used to keep the car in place, and will automatically snap shut if the elevator system loses electrical power. Modern elevators also feature braking systems located at the top and bottom of the elevator shaft, which can detect excessive elevator movement and apply brakes, when necessary.

• Despite the common Hollywood movie scene of an elevator cable snapping and elevator car plummeting, this scenario is unrealistic. Elevator cables are comprised of sturdy steel strands, which have been designed to single-handedly support the entire weight of the car and occupants. Each elevator contains between four and eight cables for each car, which provides multiple levels of redundancy.

Stuck in a Tin Can

As alarming as it can be, getting stuck in an elevator is rarely a life-threatening situation. Elevators occasionally get stuck. But even when this occurs, core safety systems remain intact.

Elevator safety tips:

• In any emergency such as an earthquake, fire or anything that may require building evacuation, do not take the elevator. Take the stairs!
• Do not attempt to rush into an elevator while the doors are closing. Simply wait for the next car. Also, keep young children and leashed pets very close to you, for their safety as well as the safety of everyone in the car.

• Try not to panic about oxygen. While the car is an admittedly confined space, you should have plenty of available air to breath. Elevator cars are not airtight.

• Never, ever try to exit a stalled elevator car through the roof hatch or by prying the doors apart. This is the most important tip, as several deaths have tragically occurred when people try to escape stalled cars. In many cases, the elevator will stop between floors, leaving occupants with the mistaken impression that they would be able to crawl out to safety. However, if the elevator moves as someone is trying to escape, they could be trapped and tragically, crushed. So stay put and be patient.

• If the elevator car stalls, use the elevator phone and/or your cell phone to alert authorities. Remain calm.

Additional Elevator Safety Tips, courtesy of Allied Universal

While elevators have proven to be a very safe way of transporting both people and merchandise, occasionally malfunctions do occur. Common problems can include elevators that do not correctly align with the floor, doors that do not open or close properly, stopping between floors or stopping altogether and entrapping occupants.

Universal Services of America offers the following tips to help ensure your safety and knowledge regarding proper elevator use.

When you approach the elevator

• Stand aside for exiting passengers.
• Wait for the next car if the elevator is already full.
• Do not attempt to stop a closing door.
• Use the stairs, not an elevator, if there is a fire in the building.

When you enter and exit the elevator

• Watch your step, as the elevator floor may not be level with the landing.
• Stand clear of the doors, and keep your clothing and any carry-on items away from the opening.

When riding on the elevator

• Stand back from the doors and hold the handrail, if available.
• Pay attention to the floor indications, so you may exit when you arrive at your floor.
• Discern between the “open door” button and the “close door” button to avoid confusing them, if needed.

If you find yourself in an elevator that has become stuck

• Push the “door open” button. If that does not work, ring the elevator alarm.
• Use the emergency phone, alarm or help button, if available, to summon emergency personnel. Or use your cell phone to call 9-1-1.
• Do not attempt to force the doors open.
• Never try to leave the elevator car on your own, as doing so could result in serious injury.
• Remain calm. Elevators contain sufficient oxygen levels to last until help arrives.

For more info on elevator safety or to learn about escalator safety, visit the National Elevator Industry website at www.neii.org. Remember that safety is a daily priority, whether or not you use elevators. A convenient and affordable way to make sure you are prepared for disasters and emergencies of virtually every kind is to subscribe to the Allied Universal Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services, which has been designed to help improve and save lives. For more information about the best system out there, or to subscribe, click here.