Part II of II - Crisis in Plain Sight: In-Building Public Safety Radio Coverage in Schools
Law enforcement personnel work at the scene of a mass shooting in Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 25, 2022. (Nuri Vallbona/Reuters)
By John Foley, SBC Managing Director
Posted on November 3, 2022
We of the Safer Buildings Coalition mourn with the Uvalde community the tragic loss of life resulting from the assault on Robb Elementary School on May 25th and all mass-casualty events, especially in our schools. In Part I of this report, we cited after-action report information from the recent Uvalde, TX mass-shooting. Primarily, we examined a crucial element of this tragedy: Poor in-building public safety coverage.
So far this year we've held 30 events (with more to come), and are closing in on 1,500 total attendees with nearly a third of them working in Public Safety. Thank you for the support!
As we plan for 2023, we’d like to hear from you, especially about where we should go and how to make these experiences even better. Plus, we’re planning a national summit next year. Click below for more details.
From the Chief’s Corner: Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk... America’s Safe Schools Week Proclamation
By Chief Alan Perdue (Ret.), CFO, FM, Executive Director – Safer Buildings Coalition
Posted on November 3, 2022
For most of us, school safety is ever present on our minds with so many of the headlines we see through various news outlets. So, when I became aware of the fact that October 16-22 was “America’s Safe Schools Week” I began reflecting on the Phrase “Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk”. In fact, I have a book titled Walk the Talk written by best-selling authors Eric Harvey and Steve Ventura that has been part of my leadership collection for many years. Although “Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk is a common English phrase, the concept of actually doing it can be challenging. Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk requires us to live the values we have identified within our life such as the Golden Rule that many of our parents taught us growing up. Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk is more than just a catchy phrase, it is a value statement that means we should support what we say, not just with words, but also through our actions regardless of any activity we are involved in at a given moment be it faith, family, work, community involvement, sports, etc. In all situations we have a responsibility to “Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk”.
SBC Tech Talk | RF Monitoring & Public Safety with Anritsu
Posted on November 3, 2022
Increasing in-building Radio Frequency (RF) coverage has a positive impact on first responders. While several methods exist to accomplish this, the use of Bidirectional Amplifiers (BDAs) appears to be a more common solution. Using BDAs requires placing antennas at key/strategic locations within the building. There are processes in place to correctly design, install and test these solutions; however, mistakes can occur.
In this webinar, we will explore a tool that allows public safety authorities to monitor the macro RF environment, identify changes, and better respond to negative impacts on their communication system. The presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A session. Click below to reserve your seat!
WEBINAR REPLAY | Getting NICET Certified for ERCES: In-Building Public Safety Communications Professional Development
Posted on November 3, 2022
The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), in cooperation with the Safer Buildings Coalition (SBC), developed a professional certification named, In-Building Public Safety Communications (IB-PSC). This new credential is for engineering technicians engaged in the detailing and layout, installation, and maintenance, and/or designing of In-Building Public Safety Communication Systems (referred to in codes and standards as Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems – or ERCES). Watch this replay to learn more about the certification, what’s on the exam, and more!
Codes and Standards Work Group Approves New TIAs for NFPA 1225, Appoints New Chair
Posted on November 3, 2022
During the past month, the Safer Buildings Coalition Codes & Standards Work Group continued to provide input on code issues as well as move forward other projects.
Meet the Newest Safer Buildings Coalition Members - November 2022
Posted on November 3, 2022
The Safer Buildings Coalition continues to grow. It’s our pleasure to introduce you to some of the newest additions to our member base: Intelibs and Maven Wireless Inc. Welcome to SBC!
Want to Know Who Can Perform In-Building Public Safety Work?
The purpose of the Safer Buildings Coalition Member Showcase is to provide visibility to the organizations who have demonstrated this commitment through Safer Buildings Coalition participation in this specialized community of practice.
