CALA News & Views | Issue 55 | Elevating Engagement

in Practice: Preparedness LESSONS FROM A SAFETY EXPERT

CALA talked with Glenn Thomas, founder of Full Spectrum Safety Consulting , about ways to enhance emergency preparedness by engaging residents and the broader community.

Q With your 25+ years in public and workplace safety, from EMT and firefighter roles to director of safety & risk management for Continuing Life and now consulting, what should executive directors prioritize when preparing their communities for emergencies? THOMAS: One of my biggest concerns is that even where strong policies exist, there can be a gap between policy and performance under stress. Emergencies do not unfold neatly. Wildfires shift direction. Power outages extend longer than anticipated. Staffing levels fluctuate. Communication systems fail. The true test of preparedness is not what’s written in a binder – it’s what happens in the first 10 minutes. For community leadership, priorities should include: 1) Operational Readiness Over Paper Compliance – Plans must be practical, clear and executable. That includes realistic tabletop exercises and drills that test decision-making, not just documentation. 2) Incorporating Incident Command System (ICS) Into Your Framework – Whether formalized or scaled appropriately, Assisted Living communities are encouraged to

consider incorporating ICS principles. Clearly defining roles such as incident commander, operations, logistics and planning removes confusion under stress. It also aligns your internal structure with how fire, EMS and law enforcement operate. When you speak the same operational language, coordination improves immediately. 3) Training to the “Person in Charge” Mentality – Especially on NOC Shifts Emergencies rarely happen at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday. Every shift must have a clearly designated “Person in Charge” who understands they serve as the incident commander until relieved. That individual must know: • How to activate the emergency plan. • When to initiate evacuation versus shelter-in-place. • How to communicate effectively with 911 and corporate leadership. • Where emergency shut-offs are located. Preparedness fails when authority is unclear.

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