The Official Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Training Blog

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated November as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Ironically, he later developed the condition, although people debate whether he succumbed after finishing his two presidential terms or while he was still in office. Whenever his disease surfaced, our late president was one of 44 million worldwide and 5.5 million Americans to suffer from some form of dementia. Typically, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) strikes after people turn 65 and is expected to peak soon since so many Baby Boomers are starting to enter their golden years. The condition is relevant to the emergency management community because people who struggle with memory-related issues often require special assistance in natural or manmade disasters. (more…)

In our ongoing effort to promote public health and safety, we wanted to take the opportunity to call attention to an important associated observance, held annually across the United States in October: Down Syndrome Awareness Month. The National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS) created the campaign in the 1980’s to educate the public, provide families with information and resources, and address social policy issues and challenges facing the Down Syndrome community. The Allied Universal Fire Life Safety Training System is tailor-made to educate people from this (and every other) special needs’ community. The system is designed to help everyone prepare for and recover from natural and manmade disasters. What’s more, the system reminds subscribers to pay careful attention to anyone who may require additional assistance in an emergency. (more…)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has earmarked September as National Preparedness Month. The annual awareness campaign is designed to encourage individuals and businesses to proactively plan for disasters. The need for awareness is crucial. Nearly three-quarters of Americans report they are worried about natural disasters, terror attacks, or serious accidents affecting their communities. And most admit they aren’t adequately prepared for such calamities. (more…)

In honor of National Safety Month, we want to focus on a topic we hold dear to our hearts at the Allied Universal Training System by Universal Fire/Life Safety Services – high-rise fire safety. According to the most recent study published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 14,500 structure fires per year in high-rise buildings.These fires cause (on average) 40 civilian deaths, 520 civilian injuries, and lead to $154 million of property damage each year. Fire response is critical because fire is one of the most common emergencies following earthquakes, explosions, terrorism, power surges and other natural and manmade disasters. (more…)

Arthritis is a debilitating condition which affects more than 50 million Americans, making it the number one cause of disability in the United States. In hopes of providing help for the millions afflicted, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Arthritis Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation mark each May as National Arthritis Awareness Month. No cure exists yet for either of the two main diagnostic categories: rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, medication can help ease both diseases into remission. (more…)

Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month was instituted in April 1997 to commemorate the birth month of Dr. James Parkinson, the first man to formally identify the disease in 1817. His piece, An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, remains one of the defining studies on the chronic, progressive condition that affects 7-10 million people, worldwide. The disease can be attributed to a variety of genetic, environmental, and age-related factors. This year’s campaign theme is #KeyToPD, which stresses that awareness is key toward working on a world without Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s Awareness Day is April 30.  (more…)

Studies show that individuals waste up to an hour each day searching for misplaced items. But disorganization sucks more than just valuable time if disaster strikes. When chaos breaks loose, every second matters, leaving you with precious little time to search for important stuff. Organizing today will enable you quickly locate what you need at critical times, leading to more satisfactory outcomes during a crisis.

The Association of Professional Coordinators (APC) founded National Get Organized Month in 2005 in an effort to increase awareness about the significance of organization. As the leader in training commercial building tenants for fire safety and emergency certification, we use this month to focus on providing best practices and organization strategies that improve outcomes for tenants in the event of an emergency.  (more…)

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…)