Protecting Your Library From a Fire

 "Protecting Your Library From a Fire”
Part of a special Library 2.0 series - featuring Robert May, JD, former Fire Chief, and hosted by Dr. Steve Albrecht 

OVERVIEW: 

A 60-minute training webinar presented by Library 2.0 featuring former multi-city Fire Chief Robert May, JD and hosted by Dr. Steve Albrecht (board certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat management).

This webinar will help you think and plan for the unthinkable - a fire in your library. As Chief May says, "Libraries can pose a challenge when it comes to fire and life safety. The buildings are potentially high-occupancy facilities with hidden dangers. Employees and patron safety are critical. Besides the life safety exposures, the building can house irreplaceable books, priceless valuables, and historical artifacts. It's not uncommon when a library is involved in a fire for the damage to be significant. All libraries must be outfitted to prevent or reduce damage and allow the safe evacuation of employees and patrons."

All library leaders and all library employees need to pay careful attention to a fire as a rare but catastrophic event (like the rare possibility of an active shooter in the library). They need to have written and practiced plans in place and still prepare for an unlikely occurrence. The likelihood of a library fire can be estimated on many factors: staff vigilance about not allowing smoking or watching for signs of arson (especially possible from mentally ill patrons or children); the age of your facility (newly-constructed buildings are much less likely to catch fire or burn); the installation or absence of water sprinklers, smoke, and heat sensors; a building-wide fire alarm system with audible alarms and a public address system to be used to notify all staff and patrons to evacuate; and the proximity of the fire department and its number of staff. This training webinar will equip you with the information you need to address the fire safety needs of your library.

Learning Objectives:

• What are the most fire-risk parts of your library?
• What is needed to create or update your fire prevention and fire protection programs?
• How do you train staff to be aware about fire risks and hazards and be ready to respond during a fire emergency?
• How do you work with your local fire department and Fire Marshal to best protect your library facility?

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER:

Robert May is the founder and President of Mainstream Unlimited, a California-based firm specializing in risk management, training, security assessments, and safety services to municipal agencies around the country. His clients include cities and counties, insurance companies, libraries, police and fire departments, and hospitals. Bob holds a JD degree and he is certified as a workers compensation claims administrator. He has served as a Fire Chief for several agencies and continues to teach programs on fire department leadership. In his spare time, Bob still serves as an Emergency Medical Technician and drives an ambulance for his community.

DR. STEVE ALBRECHT

As a trainer, speaker, author, and consultant, Dr. Steve Albrecht is internationally known for his expertise in high-risk HR issues. He specializes in workplace and school violence awareness and crisis response programs for private-sector firms, municipal and state government, K-12 schools, and colleges and universities. His clients include the two biggest municipal insurers in California.

In 1994, Dr. Albrecht co-wrote Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace, one of the first business books on workplace violence. Besides his work as a conference presenter and keynote speaker, he appears in the media and on the Internet, as a source on workplace violence, security, and crime. His 21 business and police books include Library Security; Tough Training Topics; Added Value Negotiating; Service, Service, Service!; and Fear and Violence on the Job.

He holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment.