How to Design a Fire Station in the Caves!

In today's densely populated urban environment, urban planning has to be carefully thought through even for the zoning of emergency services.

I chanced upon the below article reported by the popular magazine "Fast Company" which showcased how one country goes about it, in managing land use, urban zoning, as well as integrating and harnessing the power of nature in the construction of a fully operational fire station:

View this article!

Get The "Emergency Response Guidebook 2012" Now

For those of us entrusted with the responsibilities and duty to protect and save lives and property, you'll know what the ERG is meant to do.

For those who aren't in the know, the ERG in summary is a quick reference guidebook for frontline responders activated to manage a HAZMAT incident. And yes, it is also a must have tool if you're entrusted to oversee or perform WSH or OSH programmes.

Although published by the United States Department of Transportation, this guidebook is applicable wherever you are on Earth.

For a video introduction of what the latest 2012 ERG is about, view here:

Emergency Response Guidebook 2012 Video

To download a full electronic copy, here's the link (thanks to the International Association of Emergency Management for providing this link):

Download ERG 2012 Here

Never Assume the Nearest Amenities

In a recent road traffic accident involving a high speed Ferrari and a passenger taxi resulting in 3 fatalities in a popular spot in Singapore, members of the public were quick to point out and query why in the world weren't the casualties sent to the nearest private hospital which was just 3 minutes drive away.

While it seemed the most logical thing to do, the reality is that not every medical facility is just as well equipped as every other medical institution. In this instance, the fatal injuries sustained by the casualties would not have been "salvageable" nor stabilized adequately if they were initially sent to this nearest medical facility. As a result, the responding paramedic crew made the logical decision to convey the casualties to another further (but better equipped) hospital.

While the above sighting may not be similar or "acceptable" in approach in your respective countries, this goes to show that when we plan medical coverage support from related agencies in our emergency response plans, considerations like these must be clearly thought through and confirmed. Never assume that the nearest mutual aid support is just 5 minutes drive away or that they will surely deploy full staffing just to tend to your situation.

Personally, I know that I've now got to relook at my current plans to ensure such planning assumptions are accurate!

See full story covered by The straits Times here:

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_803402.html

Are Fire Sprinkler Systems Effective?

Recently, there was a case of a fire breakout in a hotel in Bangkok, resulting in 1 death and 20 odd injuries linked to the fire. The report from The Straits Times provides greater details here: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/ANN/Story/STIStory_776171.html

While it is unfortunate such an event took place, one would question what would be the effectiveness of such sprinkler systems in the event of a fire?

If you speak with any fire protection engineer, contractor or a fire officer, you will come to a summary of other factors that would minimise the effects of a fire (or in the worst case scenario, a fatality):

A) Ensure any addition and alteration works are approved by your country's relevant authorities including revised active fire protection designs;
B) Ensure your premises fire emergency plans are updated reflecting these changes to facilitate search and rescue;
C) Where possible or required, ensure such works are made known to your local fire authorities;
D) If your premises is considered a high occupancy loading, do ensure regular fire safety briefings are conducted or communicated to building occupants especially those performing interim fire fighting duties pending the arrival of the municipal fire brigade; and,
E) Perform ad hoc reviews of your fire protection plans to ensure code compliance as well as relevancy as part of good risk review.

Having approved and adequate active fire protection systems is one thing. Very often much attention should also be paid to fire prevention and consequence management.

Fire Safety Features in Singapore's Newest Transportation Tunnel

Extracted from The Straits Times on 28 Jan 2012:

Motorists driving through the new Woodsville Tunnel will be protected by state-of-the-art fire-fighting technology that can unleash a deluge of water at the touch of a button.

The $3.5 million system can be activated from a control centre, and is designed to tackle the flames before they have chance to grow too big.

Sensors and cameras have been fitted to alert staff, who can then switch on the sprinklers.

The tunnel, which opens today, will benefit motorists travelling along Upper Serangoon Road to Bendemeer Road, Serangoon Road to Upper Serangoon Road, and MacPherson Road to Bendemeer Road.

How Are BCP Managers Compensated?

Ever wondered how much Business Continuity professionals ought to be compensated? Or how about if there is any real difference between a certified or "non certified" BC professional?

I've managed to secure a draft compensation report. However, do note it's only limited to Canada practitioners. Here's the download link:
http://www.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/5/2/3752086/compenstion_benchmarking-canada-2011-final-complimentary_summary.pdf

Stay tuned for more regional draft reports coming up!

How To Ensure Safety of Tourists

I recently came back from a short trip in Japan and given my hopeless capability in speaking the Japanese language, it became a convenient habit of me to approach anyone and converse in English hoping that the locals could understand what I was trying to say and respond in kind.

As someone who often looks out for common building features and observing cultures of other countries pertaining to disaster and emergency response, I would often find similar facilities (granted they follow their own Codes of Practices) as in Singapore.

However, I noted one thing that was definitely useful to tourists should a national emergency take place and folks like us would (at that point of time) be interested to know where we should go to ensure our own safety. In the pictures attached (taken while in Shinjuku), is a typical street map indicating an open safe refuge (or what most of us would call, a designated assembly area).

I doubt every country would have such commonly available info right on the streets.