Alarms, Security Systems

All households should be prepared for disaster, but preparing residents of high-density housing comes with some unique and challenging approaches.

"Yes, just because of the population density. There can be 200 to 500 people living in one building" said Frank Rathbun, a spokesman for the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

For example, when a hurricane takes the roof off a single-family home only that family is affected.

If the storm lifts the roof from a condo complex, scores of homeowners must suddenly seek shelter.

"I struggle to find anything more fundamentally important than being prepared for a major crisis," says CAI executive officer Thomas M. Skiba.

"The upcoming third anniversary of 911 and two major hurricanes in less than a month are all the reminders we need," he added.

Representing 260,000 communities where 50 million homeowners live, CAI has joined the efforts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week to help launch National Preparedness Month, a national effort to encourage Americans to make plans, stay informed and learn more about the resources available to them in the event of an emergency -- natural or maniac made.

Since 911, high-density living has at least twice been put on high alert as a perceived potential target for terrorists after government intelligence indicated the possibility of attacks against population concentrations, including those found in hotels, apartment complexes and condo developments.

Both the National Multi Housing Council and CAI offered advice to cope with the alerts.

"We have an interest in the issue of terrorism and the last hurricanes have affected hundreds of community associations in Florida and the Northeast," said Rathbun.

CAI offers three disaster management publications to assist high-density homeowners, their associations and management companies as they prepare for events they hope will never occur.

The CAI's publications define a disaster as any occurrence that has the potential of inflicting widespread destruction and distress. They also recognize that planning ahead and planning wisely can save lives and minimize property damage while preparing the homeowners' association to react and restore homes.

The guidebooks help hammer home the point that disaster management plans should be reviewed regularly and updated by the association members, board of directors, and management.

The guidebooks are:

• Before Disaster Strikes -- Developing an Emergency Procedures Manual covers developing emergency plans, teams and manuals, how to assess security systems and public relations. The book and a CD, that can be used to download resource materials, are useful for all types of heavily populated properties including industrial, office, retail and medical buildings, as well as high-density residences. Emergencies covered include everything from elevator and medical emergencies, to fires, hurricanes and floods to crime, bombs, and nuclear attacks.
• Specific to high-density owned housing, Community Association Risk Management -- Evaluating and Managing Risk in Condominiums, Cooperatives, and Planned Communities reveals a five-step decision-making process for risk management, identifying loss exposures; examining alternatives; selecting the best alternatives; implementing those choices; and monitoring risk management for constant improvement. The publication also addresses Internet- and terrorism-related risks.
• Disaster Management for Community Associations is solely directed at condo-style life and describes 16 major perils and the seven essential steps for successful disaster planning -- a disaster master file; emergency supplies; damage prevention; peril occurrence, after the fact issues, post-peril evaluation; and celebration. Special considerations are included by peril and the manual also includes information for management companies.

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