C15: Emergency Preparedness

(3 points)

INTENT

Prepare individuals in case of emergency.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to have an emergency management plan in place and to have accompanying supportive resources for responding to an emergency.

ISSUE

Natural disasters kill around 90,000 people and affect close to 160 million people worldwide every year, with both an immediate impact on human lives and a long-term impact on built spaces. While 60% of companies in the U.S. report that they have a crisis response plan, only 26% have a plan that applies to all crisis scenarios. Additionally, sudden cardiac arrests (SCAs) are common health emergencies that account for 54% of coronary heart disease deaths. Older adults, individuals with disabilities, pregnant women and children may have special needs during an emergency and are particularly vulnerable when disaster strikes.

SOLUTIONS

Emergency management plans can enhance communication, minimize confusion and improve personnel coordination during emergency situations. Establishing an effective emergency management plan requires awareness of local conditions and potential hazards, the needs of vulnerable groups and building response capabilities. Providing a database of building emergency equipment and supplies, an emergency notification system or readily accessible emergency resources such as first aid kits and defibrillators can increase response time and help improve survival rates. Readily accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are life-saving devices that can improve the survival rate of SCA patients even in public settings where most users have had no prior training.

IMPACT

By focusing on prevention and preparedness, buildings and communities can support collective safety, survivability and well-being during emergency situations.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Develop Emergency Preparedness Plan (1 point)

Verified by Policy Document

For All Spaces

The following requirements are met:

1. An emergency management plan is in place outlining response in the case of emergency situations within the building or surrounding community, including at least the following hazards:

   1. Natural (e.g., tornado, flood, wildfire, earthquake, heatwave).
   2. Fire.
   3. Health (e.g., acute medical emergency, infectious disease outbreak).
   4. Technological (e.g., power loss, chemical spill, explosion).
   5. Human caused (e.g., civil unrest, terrorism).

2. The following are incorporated into the emergency management plan: 

   1. Roles and responsibilities of the emergency response team.
   2. Potential hazards and emergency situations.
   3. The needs of vulnerable occupants or groups (e.g., older adults, people with disabilities, pregnant women, children).
   4. Building response capabilities, including assessment of supplies, specialized personnel and physical structure.
   5. Plans for policy implementation and communication to building occupants, including occupant training on the emergency management plan and practice drills.

Part 2

Promote Emergency Resources (2 points)

Verified by Policy Document, Educational Materials, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

Projects support occupant response to emergencies through at least five of the following strategies:

1. Database of building emergency equipment, supplies and procedures available to all occupants, including information cards indicating emergency procedures available to all guests upon entrance to the building.

2. Emergency notification system in the building with auditory and visual indicators of emergency (e.g., speaker system, flashing lights).

3. At least one first aid kit per floor meeting requirements of American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) Class A or Class B based on project need. 

4. AEDs within reach of any given occupant within 3-4 minutes and adoption of routine maintenance and testing schedule. The locations of building AEDs are identified through posters, signs or other forms of communication other than on the AED itself.

5. Annual availability of a certified training course on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED usage.

6. Emergency response team for medical emergencies, including at least one certified medical professional or first responder present within the building.

7. Rides subsidized by at least 50% to destination of need for emergency situations (e.g., urgent medical needs, personal or family emergency, public transit shutdown). 

8. Educational resources to promote individual and family emergency preparedness that address at least the following topics:

   1. Creating evacuation or sheltering plans.
   2. Building emergency kits, supplies and go-bags.
   3. Planning communications with family or primary contacts in case of emergency.

 

Note: Education must be culturally appropriate and literacy level appropriate. Education can come in the form of trainings, brochures, videos, posters, pamphlets, newsletters and/or other written or online information. All educational materials must be checked annually to confirm information is relevant and up-to-date. 

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