Safer Buildings Coalition added as a NPTSC Member Organization
Posted on June 17, 2020 SBC adds your voice to this very important federation
It's official: The Safer Buildings Coalition has joined the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NTPSTC) as an affiliate member. NPSTC Chair, Ralph Haller and SBC Managing Director John Foley signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 1, 2020. With the agreement in place, NPSTC and the Safer Buildings Coalition will work together to support the development of attributes of wireless technologies for public safety communications inside of buildings.
A message from the Safer Buildings Coalition President: This Crisis Has Taught Us Valuable Lessons
Posted on June 17, 2020
Dear members,
The COVID-pandemic has hit us hard and affected our lives in profound ways. Now that things are reopening across much of the country, we are facing a new normal in the workspace. While some of us may go back to working in our offices, others will continue to work remotely. Some businesses may consider staggered schedules with workers splitting their time between home and work.
But this crisis has taught us valuable lessons. The near-worldwide lockdown has forced us to learn to maximize our remote-working tools - video conferencing instead of in-person meetings; webinars instead of in-person seminars and training; or creative new ways of networking and marketing now that the trade shows we used to attend are canceled or have gone virtual. In short: We are finding ways to keep our work efficient and productive.
2020 Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors Election – What You Need to Know
Posted on June 17, 2020
The 2020 election for the Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors is coming up. As always, we strongly encourage our members to vote in this election -- and to consider putting your name on the 2020 ballot and help the Coalition continue to make a difference.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s election:
New roles for current President & Vice President
Current SBC Board President Patrick Lau of Comba Telecom will step into the role of Immediate Past President. Thank you for your service, Patrick!
Current SBC Board VP Eric Toenjes of Graybar will become President of the Board.
Which positions are up for election?
Vice President – Term: 1 year. Note that this is a three-year commitment, which includes the positions of: Vice President (1 year), President (1 year) & Immediate Past Present (1 year).
From the Chief’s Corner: Inside the Stairway, Allowed or Not...
Posted on June 17, 2020
AHJs and integrators often ask me what seems like a really simple question: “Can I put antennas, or even the backbone cable, within a rated exit stairway?” To answer that question let’s start with the word “intent.” “Intent” is a noun that comes from the verb intend. It means to have something in mind as a plan or purpose. So, what is the plan or purpose of an in-building emergency responder communications enhancement system (ERCES)? Quite simply: It is to provide communications capabilities for the first responders.
Safer Buildings Coalition Surveys: We Asked the Important Questions; You Provided the Answers
Posted on June 17, 2020
As part of our efforts to keep in touch with you, our members, and better understand how best to serve you, the Safer Buildings Coalition in March hired Matthew Champagne, Ph.D. to help us establish a targeted survey program. Dr. Champagne has gathered more than 93 million survey responses from 550 organizations worldwide and will leverage this database and his 30 years of research to ensure the accuracy of member feedback
Many of you have received and answered these surveys -- thanks for that --, which has provided us with valuable insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted your business and the industry as a whole, how you see the strength of your companies a year from now, and your thoughts on technologies that may be part of the post-pandemic "new normal." And much more.
Don’t Forget to Take Advantage of the Safer Buildings Coalition Referral Program
Posted on June 17, 2020
Safer Buildings Coalition membership keeps growing; both in terms of numbers and diversity. And that is what makes us stronger as an organization.
We want to continue this growth, and we are delighted to announce that our Referral Program remains in place as a way for you, our members, to help spread the word about SBC and receive a discount on your membership fee.
This program allows members to earn membership discounts when they refer a new member to the Coalition. These are the details for the program...
Get to Know Your Safer Buildings Coalition Workgroups
Posted on June 17, 2020
The Safer Buildings Coalition currently is home to four, important workgroups/committees: Codes & Standards, Government Affairs, Advancement and Public Safety Technology. The groups’ members, through tireless work, help ensure that SBC membership provides good value for your money, and that our members’ voices are being heard when important decisions are being made on Federal, State and Local levels
At times, the hard work of these groups may be flying under the radar, but that does not diminish the importance of their efforts.
We caught up with the four workgroup chairs – Josh Gerst, Codes & Standards; Jon Pasqualone, Government Affairs; Mark Reynolds, Advancement & Matt Brown, Public Safety Technology to talk about the groups, their projects and objectives, and how you, as a member, can get involved.
Posted on June 17, 2020 By Lisa Jardine, Director of Communications, RF Solutions
“Command from Squad 41, go ahead with your message.” “Command from Squad 41, go ahead with your message.”
An auxiliary radio communication system (ARCS) is a firefighter’s lifeline. Without it, they may as well communicate with a bullhorn. The last thing the Commander wants to hear in response to his or her request is radio silence.
In-Building Radio Enhancement Requirements by Jurisdiction - and more...
The Safer Buildings Coalition website has an extensive collection of resources to assist in understanding Emergency Responders Radio Coverage Systems (ERRCS) requirements and other topics.
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.