The Role of Facility Managers in Ensuring Emergency Preparedness
Facility Managers occasionally encounter unexpected disruptions, ranging from minor disturbances to significant catastrophic events. Generally, minor repairs or quick adjustments suffice to restore normal operations. However, in emergencies like building fires or extreme weather events that endanger facilities, assets, and occupants, a systematic and process driven approach in prevention and response is crucial for ensuring safety. Partnering with a robust facility management company can greatly enhance your emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
Four Phases of Emergency Management for an ERM Program
Prevention-Mitigation
- Evaluate Potential Threats: Assess any possible dangers and risks.
- Identify Flaws and Ramifications: Determine the implications of identified threats.
- Document and Report Findings: Record risk assessment outcomes and suggest next steps.
Preparedness
- Continuous Training: Regularly train and educate staff for emergency scenarios.
- Preventive Maintenance: Conduct periodic maintenance to prevent issues, supported by facility management software.
- Panic Buttons: Install physical and digital panic buttons to alert first responders automatically.
- Smart Signage: Use large digital screens to display critical communications, evacuation maps, and emergency instructions instantly.
- Communication Preparation: Train FM staff on communication protocols during emergencies.
- Ready Communication Tools: Ensure tools are available to contact emergency services and dispatch the appropriate agencies.
- Business Continuity Information: Provide guidelines on restoring critical functions and reestablishing normal operations post-emergency.
Collaboration
- Develop Policies: Create all-hazard policies, procedures, and protocols with key external stakeholders, such as law enforcement, medical services, public health, and fire services.
Response
- Immediate Action: Execute emergency plans to address and mitigate the effects of the incident.
Recovery
- Restoration: Focus on restoring normal operations and recovering from the incident.
As a facility management company, we assist in developing comprehensive Emergency Response Management (ERM) plans, ensuring effective preventive maintenance, regular emergency training, and conducting necessary audits to safeguard your facility. Our software solutions support tracking and analysing fluctuations in critical assets, providing quick alerts and notifications to the required teams in case of deviations, thereby facilitating all aspects of emergency preparedness. Partnering with us will ensure that your facility is well-prepared to handle any emergency, maintaining safety and continuity.
With our tech-driven approach, IoT, our proprietary Facility Management Software to efficiently manage properties across India. We are one of the leading Facility Management Companies in India.