HOW TO AUGMENT EMERGENCY PLANNING EFFECTIVENESS

SETTING DESIGN PARAMETERS OR “TRIGGERS”

The price of doing the same old thing is far greater than the price of change.

If we want the outcome of our emergency plans to be different then we probably need to take a different approach to how we design communities.  Right now, the buzz word is “smart” cities.  What we really mean is efficient cities.  Cities that allow for free exchange of movement between different sectors of the cities is essential especially with the growth rate of the world’s population.  Smart cities philosophies are easiest to incorporate when building new communities but what about the “old” city centers and residential areas.  Creating an environment where people want to live work and play is critical.  People want to be in areas not because they are efficient, yes that helps, but the real reason is because they feel safe with their families.

With that in mind, we can establish criteria now for the way we are going to design and construct our communities of the future.

I suggest setting the new design protocols for any pre-planning of neighborhoods, facilities or utility systems, especially if the goal is to decentralize poverty and to reduce crime. With that in mind all new construction after a certain date should fall into this category.  For existing facilities and communities, then we should set “triggers” or thresholds that once they occur we design and construct using the new criteria we’ve established. 

For buildings, those “triggers” could be as simple as; when there is a change in usage, or during major renovation that exceeds 50% of the plant value cost or there is a significant increase in floor space. 

For communities, they could be during major renovation projects when 50% of the system or community is destroyed or damaged and needs replacing, and during community-wide scheduled renovation projects when 50% or more of the infrastructure or buildings are being upgraded.

WHY CHANGE THE STATUS QUO

How’s the old saying go, “If we always do what we’ve always done, we’ll always have we’ve always had”.  

3 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT

ACCESS CONTROL AND PERIMETER SECURITY

Most people think access control involves using technology or a guard who checks some form of identification to allow entry into a facility or building – a guard or electronics, and that it.  The security industry has made tremendous gains in the last several years with regards to increasing technology’s capabilities to enhance control at building or compounds.  While these advances assist they are not the cure all.  They are simply tools that assist in the detection of unwanted behavior.  

With that in mind here are three common myths about access control:

Myth 1 – The perimeter or boundary line must be robust in order to adequately provide access control.  This simply is not true.  The US Air Force uses a painted red line on the ground around its nuclear deterrent capable aircraft.  There’s no fence, there no standing guard – just a red line.  The line basically says to everyone, “If you’re on that side of the line, we don’t care who you are or what you do, but, if you want to come on this side of the line we want you to go down to the opening so we can check you out”.  So, really anything can be used – a rope, series of shrubs/plants or a painted line, something that says, here’s the line of demarcation that I care about.

Myth 2 – Fences are a deterrent – NOT!  It takes less than 4 seconds for an unskilled person to climb over a fence, including those with concertina or razor wire.  While adding some type of top guard makes them look formidable they’re really not very effective as a deterrent.  They’re real values comes in the form of detection.  They allow us to detect unwanted behavior.   Think about it, most authorized people will proceed to an access control point, they won’t climb the fence.  Only unauthorized people climb fences; therefore, it serves as a detection mechanism.

Myth 3 – The boundary line or perimeter is the only point available for security personnel to affect access control.  Actually, there are four layers of physical security and each can provide for effective access control, if used correctly.  The layers are; 1 – boundary line or property perimeter, 2 – exterior enclave, 3 – asset façade, and 4 – internal controlled or restricted spaces.  Each layer provides an additional opportunity for control, if used effectively.  Not every asset has a layer 2 or 4 but all have layers 1 and 3, even if, the asset is free standing.  In this case, the façade serves as both layers 1 and 3.  Each layer should be used to deter (albeit limited), delay, detect and allow for response.  This layered approach is fundamental to effective access control.

More access control and perimeter security tips at: http://issuu.com/securitymiddleeastmagazine/docs/sme_july-_aug_2015_web/33?e=3061242/14215610

We’ll discuss perimeter security and entry control facility design during a workshop 19-21 July near Tacoma, WA. For more information contact us at +1 (805) 509-8655.

What Makes Great Space?

What Makes Great Space?

Making Smart Buildings Wise

With the explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the push for interconnectivity of devices we've been concentrating on making buildings, transportation, and every other facet of our lives "Smart".  Many conferences or symposiums are being held all over the world to discuss this phenomena.  In fact, I participated in the Smart Cities India 2015 Conference and Expo and provided input to the IFSEC Security Conference this past December and will again participate this coming May at the 2nd Smart Cities India 2016 Conference and Expo in New Delhi, India. 

Our discussion centered on the technological ability of connecting devices to more efficiently and effectively manage systems  - transportation, food supply, energy, etc.  I think we can go a step beyond that and say, "Efficiency is nice but what I really care about is the ability to raise my family somewhere where I don't have to worry about them being safe".

By shaping the built environment and integrating solutions, both physical and technological, that are transparent we can create neighborhoods where people actually want to work, live and raise their families- not because they are efficient but because the are safe.  As urban centers of the future increase in population so will the demand for functionality on a multitude of levels. 

One clear local example of the effective and efficient use of space is "The Collection" located at River Park area in Oxnard, CA.  The neighborhoods, both residential and retail, are vibrant with dynamic examples of "Great Space" usage. 

We'll discuss Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) and other design principles that define "Great Space" with a 2 day workshop on  May 2nd and 3rd at the River Park Executive Suites, in Oxnard. Please join us. Click on https//hainessecuritysolutions.com for the latest details.