Addressing Critical Gaps in Emergency Response & Community Safety & Wellbeing
When emergencies occur, every second matters. One often-overlooked factor can mean the difference between life and death: timely access to crucial information for first responders.
As an advocate for enhanced emergency management practices, I want to highlight a pressing issue that directly affects the efficiency and effectiveness of our emergency response teams. When police, fire, and EMS personnel rush to the scene, they often face significant delays due to a lack of critical information. After Action Reports have consistently shown that better access to information during emergencies could significantly improve outcomes.
Key Challenges in Emergency Response
Building Access Issues: First responders frequently encounter barriers that delay their entry into buildings during emergencies. Common obstacles include locked doors, unfamiliar layouts, and inadequate access points. Recent studies reveal alarming statistics: access barriers delayed 33.9% of paramedic calls, while 67.6% required an entry code. Moreover, poor signage hindered 82.6% of emergency responses. Delays can severely impact survival rates; for example, one study noted a 10% decrease in survival chances for each floor first responders must navigate.
Information Access Problems: Even after gaining entry, responders often struggle to locate essential information quickly. Critical data such as building layouts, contact information, isolation valve locations, and the whereabouts of individuals needing special assistance can be difficult to access. These delays can jeopardize the safety and effectiveness of emergency operations.
A Vision for Improvement
Imagine a world where building owners proactively share vital emergency information with first responders—how transformative would that be?
What if first responders could access real-time building layouts and emergency contacts before they even arrive? This could save precious minutes and enhance decision-making in life-or-death situations.
What if building owners could eliminate access barriers by sharing emergency use only “entry codes” and layouts? This would not only streamline responses but also save lives during critical moments.
What if we could provide essential details about hazardous materials or individuals requiring special assistance right when responders arrive? This could drastically improve safety for both responders and those in need of help.
What if technology could empower building owners to track their safety compliance and emergency preparedness digitally? By reducing the frequency of 911 calls through proactive measures, we could shift our focus to community resilience and preparedness.
What if building owners could conduct instant audits of their emergency response plans and safety protocols with just a few clicks? This level of preparedness could foster a culture of safety that resonates throughout the community.
Introducing Safe Buildings
This vision is becoming a reality with Safe Buildings, a secure, on-demand mobile application designed to help building owners prepare, prevent, and mitigate the risks that lead to emergencies. By enhancing first responders' access to critical information, we can significantly reduce response times and improve overall community safety.
The Peel Regional Police are taking a proactive step in this direction. As part of their Community Safety & Wellbeing initiative, they have partner with hundreds of building Owners and managers to eliminate these critical barriers through innovative technology.
By equipping first responders with the necessary information, we empower them to act swiftly and effectively, ultimately reducing risks and improving emergency outcomes. The PRP Building Access Program aims to roll out region by region, deploying this tech to over 2500 front line officers, and streamline the engagement of community safety partners. The BAP program is offered at no cost to building Owners in the region of Peel.
To learn more of this unique initiaitive, or how you can successfully integrate technology into your risk management program, reach out and connect. www.nationallifesafetygroup.ca