Safer Buildings' primary mission is to ensure that First Responders (Fire, Law Enforcement and EMS) can use state-of-the-art voice and data communications to communicate with one another inside buildings as well as to and from their Command Centers outside buildings during an event. Safer Buildings also advocates for the public's cellular service inside buildings to function at excellent levels.
We are working with stakeholders to propose changes to the International Fire Code, developing Model Ordinances for Authorities Having Jurisdiction to implement expeditiously, creating and teaching wireless communication technology training courses, and providing an online repository of public safety wireless information.
FirstNet and Public Safety Implications for CRE from Safer Buildings Coalition on Vimeo.
In-Building Communication When You Need It Most
- There are over 5.6 million commercial buildings in the U.S
- First Responders need to be able to talk inside, communicate to each other inside, and communicate outside
- Building Occupants need to be able text and call 911 from inside those buildings and receive mass notifications wherever they may be inside the building
- Response Time is Critical: The FCC estimates that an improvement of one minute for 9-1-1 response time would save 10,000 lives in the US annually
- A Survey of the International Association of Fire Chiefs reports that in a large percentage of buildings, critical communication can't happen."
The Safer Buildings Coalition is an independent, not for profit organization providing thought leadership and education focused on advancing policies, ideas, and technologies that ensure effective in-building communications capabilities for public safety personnel and the people they serve.
The Safer Buildings Coalition Leads In:
Training and Education on Public Safety Communications - In-building Public Safety wireless communication is a critical challenge today. The Safer Buildings Coalition provides a rich and extensive program of in-person and on-line education for Code Officials, First Responders, Enterprise, and the Wireless Industry
Advocacy - The Safer Buildings Coalition is active at the Federal, State and Local level, working with agencies and organizations like the FCC, FirstNet, DHS, APCO, TIA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the NFPA and ICC, and others to advocate for public policy and Public Private Partnerships that contribute towards achieving the SBC mission of making buildings safer through technology
Industry Advancement - The Safer Buildings Coalition believes that a well-informed, highly competent and robust technical industry is required to provide quality goods and services that enable safer buildings. We are committed to standards, practices, policies and codes that are technically rational and commercially feasible that achieve the Safer Buildings Coalition Mission.
Fire Code Development - We are working with stakeholders to propose changes to model fire codes produced by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) related to Public Safety communication within buildings. Code development is a continuous process in both model codes/standards organizations (the ICC and NFPA). SBC will continue to be at the table to review and submit code change proposals in both arenas to ensure continuous improvement and technical relevance for all stakeholders involved with in- building emergency communications solutions. The adoption of new codes is a lengthy process, but the Public Safety communication problem exists today and is growing. While the code cycle runs its course, Safer Buildings is working with its members to develop model ordinances that Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) may put in place now to be consistent with proposed new codes, and to help our Public Safety communications now.
