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FACILITIES SAFETY The Public Sector Side of Facility Safety Facilities Management and Public Works play a critical role as disaster site first responders, but it’s a role that’s not fully recognized. BY DR. DENNIS TERPIN If we compare the definitions of Facility Management and Pub- lic Works, we find many similar responsibilities. Facility Man- agement is a professional management discipline focused on the efficient and safe delivery of logistics and other support services related to real property and buildings. Public Works is the combination of physical assets, management practices, poli- cies, and personnel necessary for cities and state governments to provide and sustain structures and services essential to the health, welfare, and safety of its employees and citizens. The National Response Framework (NRF) is a guide to how the private sector and local, state and federal government re- sponds to all types of disasters and emergencies. It is built on scalable, flexible and adaptable concepts identified in the Na- tional Incident Management System to align key roles and re- sponsibilities. One of these roles includes the management and response activities to provide company, local and state support required under the Stafford Act. This is administration of Emergency Sup- port Functions 3 (ESFs): Activities within the scope of this ESF 3 include conducting pre- and post-incident assessments of public works and infrastructure; executing emergency contract support for life-saving and life-sustaining services; providing technical assistance to include engineering expertise and construction management; contracting and real estate services; and providing emergency repair of damaged public infrastructure and facilities. Who’s a First Responder? Facilities Services and Public Works were officially added as First Responders in 2005 by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They also serve as First Responders and part of the agency’s Emergency Op- erations Center (EOC) if activated. In November 2017, the Amer- ican Public Works Association Board of Directors approved the adoption of a national “Public Works First Responder” symbol for use in North America to identify public works personnel and acknowledge their federally mandated role as first responders. The term “first responder” refers to those individuals who, in the early stages of an incident, are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment, including emergency response providers as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. § 101), as well as emergency management, public health, clinical care, public works, and other skilled support personnel (such as equipment operators) that provide immediate support services during pre- vention, response, and recovery operations. Public Works and Facilities Services are considered part of the official ranks of First Responders by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s guidelines for disaster workers since 2005. During the initial stages of an incident, all first responders have dissimilar roles to play but they all one thing in common: all deal with specific activities and all activities face specific hazards. The Safety Officer evaluates these hazards and makes sure that safeguards are in place. If not, additional safeguards are needed. A Vital Role Throughout FEMA states that Public Works and Facilities Services profession- als play a vital role in all phases of emergency management. They provide valuable input during the planning process, supply criti- cal services during response and recovery operations, and help to reduce the risk of future losses by serving as the community’s champion for mitigation projects. In some communities and pri- vate sector companies, public work/facility services are the lead agency for any emergency event, and the director of public works may also be the director of emergency management. Participa- tion by Public Works is an integral part of any jurisdiction’s emer- gency planning efforts. Public Works professionals are some of the first responders on the scene when a disaster strikes, and they perform essential ser- vices like clearing roadways, assessing damage, removing debris, restoring utilities, and managing emergency traffic. They also provide support to other responders, such as supplying water for fire suppression or equipment for search and rescue operations. Facility Services and Public Works play a predominant role during the recovery period by continuing damage assessment, cleanup, and restoration of services. In the year following Hur- ricane Katrina, public infrastructure projects in Alabama, Mis- sissippi, and Louisiana totaled over $4.8 billion. In those states that year, Public Works officials completed 1.3 million housing inspections and removed nearly one hundred million cubic yards of debris — enough to fill 20 Superdomes. On average, 68 percent of Federal funding for major disas- ter declarations each year is used for debris removal, roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, and public utilities. Before, during, and after an emergency, public works is the lifeline for the community or Business Continuity Plan. Life and death scenarios consistently arise, and public works first re- sponders carry out their responsibilities with the utmost profes- sionalism. It is time that all private sector and state governments recognize the role Facility Management and Public Works play as First responders in the Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery of workplace emergencies. Dr. Terpin is a retired Senior Industrial Hygienist, Hospital Safety Officer and Emergency Manager at The University of Illinois Chi- cago. He serves on the ASTM F23.65 International Respiratory Pro- tection Committee on Protective Clothing and Respiratory Protec- tion. He is a Master Level Instructor for FEMA/DHS instructing at The Center for Domestic Preparedness CORBA live weapon train- ing facility and holds multiple awards in emergency management and instruction. 12 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com