Each year the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) publishes a report on crime in America. On September 24, 2024, the 2023 data was released. This corresponds to the Crime Prevention month awareness programs that many communities recognize. In 1984, October was designated as Crime Prevention month by Presidential Proclamation. The good news is that there…
Over the last several years there has been a focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). Investors, management, and the public see tremendous value in the positive environment and social impact of good corporate governance. We must all do our part to ensure the health of the planet, the protection of all species, and the…
The latest topic of debate in the fire protection community is single vs double stairways. In the push for affordable housing, some state legislators are considering a single set of stairs in multi-story buildings. This is inconsistent with both NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and IBC (International Building Code) construction standards. NFPA limits a single…
The early days I started my career in safety 40 years ago as an underwriting surveyor. Underwriters would call underwriting surveyors the “eyes and ears of underwriting.” Our role was to verify the information on the application from prospective clients. For example, we would check construction and fire protection, e.g., fire sprinklers. We used to…
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st until November 30th, hitting the peak of activity in mid-September, with most storms from mid-August until mid-October. However, in 2023, we experienced a tropical storm in January, reinforcing the importance of year-round preparation. Just over two years ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida. It was the…