Old-fashioned alarm systems can create a dire situation in the wake of a modern emergency, RIMS and TÜV SÜD Global Risk Consultants report in the new white paper, "Emergency Communications Systems: Identify Accidents, Active Shooters & Severe Weather… Not Just Fire." Today's most effective emergency communication systems (EMS) detect signs of fire along with weather emergencies, accidents, violence and more. And they don't just ring out. They issue texts, phone calls, email, loudspeaker announcements and other digital communications that make the emergency known to first responders and civilians all at once. In addition to announcing the emergency, such systems also can provide key information to help guide impacted individuals to safety. "Many businesses trust old, antiquated systems to protect their people and millions of dollars' worth of equipment and products," the white paper says. "[Old alarms] can potentially lead to higher risk exposures, larger insurance premiums, and leaves facilities vulnerable to catastrophe." Attempting to retrofit an analog system with digital tools is less than optimal, researchers report. An EMS must include messaging that is "fast, clear and accurate." The following types of incidents can be identified and damages mitigated when a modern EMS is in place:

• Fires
• Severe weather
• Workplace violence
• Accidents
• Outages
• Cybersecurity events
• Acts of terrorism
• Bomb threats
• Evacuation notifications
• Traffic or parking issues

"An EMS can save lives, prevent injuries, protect property, reduce downtime, and keep all stakeholders aware of threats in real time," the white paper says. "Yet far too many businesses are still relying only on fire alarms and sprinkler systems." Researchers lay out additional arguments for updating emergency communications systems. Among the reasons: Such systems are scalable, insurance alone cannot mitigate risk, the chance of a business interruption is decreased, older systems are expensive to maintain, and newer systems are more likely to prevent false alarms. The white paper also lays out specific steps insureds can take to assess their current emergency response strategies and update them as necessary. "Don't wait until there is an incident to upgrade your system," the white paper concludes. "The catalyst shouldn't be a tragic event with severe losses — it should be a proactive approach to risk management that prevents problems and mitigates risk." See also:

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