For facility managers looking for reasons to celebrate – and really, who doesn’t need a reason to celebrate these days? – May offers a double header of opportunities. May 1-7 was National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and the entire month of May is Building Safety Month.
During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, facility managers are encouraged to assess their organization’s risks and practice emergency communications plan, among other steps. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its partners will test their capabilities to respond to storms and will conduct a series of response exercises this spring and through the summer.
To assist facilities in dealing with hurricanes, FEMA offers a range of resources and information, including preparing for a hurricane's arrival, staying safe during the event, and recovering and returning to normal operations afterward.
May is Building Safety Month, and this year’s campaign, Safety for All: Building Codes in Action, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of building codes to ensure safety in the spaces in all types of facilities. Managers can increase awareness about building safety by visiting 2022 Building Safety Month - ICC (iccsafe.org), and they can learn more about preparing for a disaster by visiting www.Ready.gov.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor, facility group.
