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Developing Emergency Communication Strategies for Buildings
Track(s): Detection & Notification

Kathleen Almand, The Fire Protection Research Foundation

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At present, the 2010 edition of NFPA 72® provides requirements for the application, performance, and installation of emergency communication (or mass notification) technology. However, the code does not provide guidance or requirements on the content of emergency messages that are to be disseminated using mass notification technology. NIST is working with The Fire Protection Research Foundation to develop strategies for communicating emergency information to building occupants. This session will discuss year one of this effort, specifically summarizing the emerging and existing notification technologies, the current approaches used to notify citizens before and during emergencies, and over 50 years of social science research on public response during emergencies.

Kathleen Almand is the Executive Director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association. She holds a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Maryland and a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. Prior to joining FPRF in 2004, Kathleen was the Executive Director of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and held research and management positions with the Civil Engineering Research Foundation, the American Iron and Steel Institute, and the National Academy of Sciences.