Life Science Playbook | Cushman & Wakefield

C. MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS (CONT.)

Emergency Preparedness and Response Local jurisdictions typically regulate what emergency response measures (or emergency action plans) are required of property management teams, and all properties must comply with those local requirements. Tenants typically are responsible for developing their own emergency response measures for responding to emergencies within their own spaces but they must adhere to the building emergency response measures dictated by local authorities. Locally mandated emergency response measures or plans tend to be basic and usually encompass a small number of emergency scenarios, most commonly fire evacuation, full-building evacuation, and, in localities where a particular type of emergency is common such as in earthquake-prone areas, emergency response guidance for common emergency scenarios. Property managers should not, however, feel that the lack of a legal requirement for a broader set of emergency response procedures relieves them of the responsibility to develop a more comprehensive emergency response plan. It cannot replace whatever local authorities require but should complement locally mandated requirements. Property managers should develop emergency response procedures to guide property team personnel in responding to all emergency scenarios that reasonably could occur at the property. These plans should be used internally and are not for dissemination to the broader tenant population. At a minimum, they should include: • Active shooter, armed intruder, or workplace violence response guidance • Building lock-down procedures in event of an incident outside of the property that could pose a threat to those inside (such as civil unrest/rioting, hazmat releases, police response to criminal activity, etc.) • Dealing with peaceful protests inside and outside the building • Responding to bomb threats • Responding to hazmat releases inside the building • Discovery of suspicious packages or items inside or directly outside the building • Flooding • Loss of commercial power or other utilities • Fire/building emergency response procedures and duties of personnel in the event of a building emergency. • Building announcements for various building emergencies, developed in advance and available for use in an emergency. These plans should include the specific tasks and responsibilities of all property team members and should be tested periodically through tabletop exercises to identify areas for improvement and to familiarize property team members with their roles and responsibilities. It is important to consider two distinct aspects of each emergency response protocol: protection of tenants and visitors within the building and protection of the asset itself, its critical systems, and its operational viability.

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