1.
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Resident information and emergency contact information. Building
management should, at all times, have an up-to-date list complete with
rapid access to this information. |
2.
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It does not
matter what type of door you have, if it’s open with security on-hand
and waiting, the response is seamless. Property Managers need to ensure
that this is a part of their building’s security procedures. When the
fire alarm rings in a building, the elevators are typically grounded to
ensure rapid access for the fire departments upon their arrival.
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With
medical emergencies, elevators do not ground, and more often than not,
paramedics are forced to wait for elevators. Sometimes, they even get
inside elevators with residents, further delaying the response. |
3.
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Ensure that residents call the front desk staff after initially calling
911 for medical emergencies. Almost always, residents contact 911 for a
medical emergency and the paramedics arrive at the front door but the
security staff are not aware of the call, thus not allowing the
security/concierge to “prepare” to receive the paramedics.
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Preparations
like grounding an elevator and placing it on emergency service, as well
as collapsing revolving doors and clearing the fire route of cars can
be of help. These preparations reduce response times and they all
benefit the resident in need. Security personnel should already be
trained on elevator emergency recall and fire service operations as per
the fire code – so here’s another benefit to a highly trained guard. |
4.
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Paramedics require unrestricted access when they arrive. Parked
vehicles found idling in a building’s fire route should be cleared
prior to their arrival.
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5.
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It’s 2016 and residents now expect an AED (automated external
defibrillator) in the lobby of all buildings as these machines save
lives every day!
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In Toronto, high-rise residences are now home to 40%
of over-65’s. They expect a trained security professional be qualified
in first Aid, CPR & AED. In addition, as a best practice, condo
security personnel should also be trained in Oxygen Management and
Administration, due to the huge population using home oxygen care,
complete with working knowledge of this medical equipment. |
6.
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You get what you pay for. Your building security guard is quite simply,
the first person to respond to your resident’s needs during fire,
safety and security concerns. They are in fact, your building’s police,
fire and ambulance for the first five minutes of any emergency. Make
sure we give them the tools. Ensure your security service provider is
on the same page with respect to emergency preparedness. |
7.
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If your building does not have security or onsite staff, Property
Managers are encouraged to reach out to their municipal emergency
services and inquire about a “key lock box” program.
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Quite simply, this
allows paramedics to access the lobby and enter the building rapidly
during emergency calls to your building. Without access to the lobby
doors, paramedics are often left with ringing residents on the
intercom, hoping someone will answer and let them in. To quote a Senior
Paramedic in Southern Ontario, “We start buzzing everyone….starting at
the top of that intercom list of residents – until we get into the
building.”
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As you can imagine, once someone lets them in…they still
have to get to the elevator, push the button and await its arrival.
Which is all taking time away from the emergency response. |