1. |
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. |
It is recommended that the security team review the “revolving door” collapse procedures on an annual basis. Paramedics require the lobby revolving doors propped open prior to their arrival. This is to allow the medical gurney to move inside with ease. Meaning, 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. 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. |
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. |
4. |
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. |
5. |
Paramedics require unrestricted access when they arrive. Parked vehicles found idling in a building’s fire route should be cleared prior to their arrival. |
6. |
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! 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. |
7. |
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. |
8. |
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. 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.” 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. |