Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Project HOPE Office Module Slides 1-24-13
Project HOPE Office Module Slides 1-24-13
Project H.O.P.E.
Project HOPE is a special program to assist owners, managers, tenants and occupants of the 61 highrise buildings in the city of Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Portions of Project HOPE have been developed with the assistance of the
Sandy Springs Police Department
After lecture and discussion the individual student will have information to review, update and produce an Emergency Action Plan regarding high-rise buildings. Each student will be given sufficient information to conduct train the trainer activities for there individual employees and tenants.
the factors needed to produce a working Emergency Action Plan (EAP), an Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP) and a Fire Safety Plan (FSP).
After lecture and discussion the student will be able to know and
understand the proper procedures for understanding the methodology used in developing a EAP using the following; Purpose and Scope, Building Vulnerabilities/ Risk Assessment, Security Measures proper Evacuation Planning
After lecture and discussion the student will be able to review, update
and develop Plans for the following; Emergencies Due to Human Activities and Emergencies Due to Natural Disasters.
Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
This course will teach you:
What the fire and life safety requirements are for high-rise
Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
This course will prepare you:
How to teach others (staff and tenants) this material within
assist you in your teaching efforts. (These will be delivered to you following this course.)
can use to certify people in your building or organization.
Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
This course is to establish a basic level of familiarity and
understanding with the subject matter, the fundamentals of high-rise all-hazards - with an emphasis on fire and life safety. components.
Several aspects of this program have more advanced Well be developing additional training modules and
Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Purpose & Scope This guide is intended primarily to assist members of the Building Management Team (BMT). The BMT consists of building owners, property managers, chief engineers, security directors and other management staff who are responsible for emergency management within a specific high-rise building or complex of high-rise buildings.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Purpose & Scope Both natural and human-caused risks are addressed in the guide using an all-hazards approach. Preparation is the key to an effective response to any emergency. Planning, awareness training and periodic exercises introduced prior to an emergency are essential to improving building supervisory and occupant responses.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Purpose & Scope This guide stresses the necessity of establishing a planning process to prepare for an all-hazards approach to emergencies and a Building Emergency Team (BET) to make potentially life-saving decisions in an emergency.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Background What is an emergency? There are many types of "emergencies," including:
Fire Hazardous materials incident Flood or flash flood
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Criminal activity
Suspicious package
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Background Local Government Interaction Sandy Springs Elected Officials and Senior Management Staff are responsible for ensuring emergency management plans and programs exist within the Sandy Springs City Limits.
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Planning is the critical first step, followed by training, drills and regular tests of building safety features and equipment.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Background Examples of effective emergency planning:
Helps save lives and reduces the risk of injuries
Helps reduce damage to the building and/or equipment
Assists in compliance with health and safety related Helps validate that the organization conducted due
diligence and may reduce exposure to civil or criminal liability in the event of an incident or emergency
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An important part of a property managers responsibility in developing an EAP is to be aware of the different types of potential threats that may exist.
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Geographic Location
Certain geographic portions of the country are more prone to certain types of emergencies, particularly those relating to natural disasters. Severe weather and tornadoes occur seasonally and property managers must evaluate the probability of these types of events occurring and the impact of these on their facilities and operations.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Building Vulnerability Assessment Property Type The purpose for which the building is used has a direct bearing on the type of risks inherent to it.
Residential towers, office towers, hospitals, theaters, and shopping malls all require their own unique EAPs to address their particular situations and needs
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Whether the building is sprinkled or not will influence the EAP, for example, by making it more or less viable to remain in the building (sheltering-inplace or using an area of refuge) in the event of a fire.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Building Vulnerability Assessment Security components that can be improved, utilized or adopted
Access Control / Knox Boxes Intrusion detection Lighting Monitoring and surveillance (guards and cameras) Vehicular traffic and parking control Perimeter control
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The property manager (Safety Director) or an appointed designee should take the responsibility for organizing a Building Emergency Team (BET). Circumstances may require specialized input from facility and process managers, building designers and other qualified individuals. In single tenant buildings, it would be beneficial to obtain input from:
Senior Management Operations Management Engineering, Security, Maintenance
plans that clearly labels all tenant spaces) Health and safety program Security procedures Hazardous materials containment plans Risk management plans
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Identify internal and external resources and capabilities that could be utilized in an emergency: Personnel Equipment Building emergency features Facilities Organizational capabilities Internal backup systems
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Identify external resources, public and private, that would be required during an emergency including emergency protocols for contacts. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Hazardous materials response clean-up organizations Transportation services Professional Engineers and Architects Contractors Suppliers of emergency equipment
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Step 3 Develop the Plan (In-House) Building Emergency Team (BET) outlines the following key components: a protocol for who will be in charge
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Incident Emergency Response Identifies the procedures outlining how the facility and occupants will respond in various emergency situations. This part of the plan should also address procedures for dealing with emergencies during peak usage periods and also after hours at off-peak hours. Plan for 24/7/365 coverage. Emergency notification requirements Identify primary and alternate entrances for responding units Where and whom will they meet? Who will be in charge during the emergency? How will the plan be communicated to building occupants?
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan Communications At some point during or after an emergency or disaster it will be necessary to communicate with various groups:
Emergency response organizations Employees Media Government regulatory agencies Employee groups Insurance representatives
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Following are some guidelines for dealing with the media:
Do not allow anyone other than the designated spokesperson to release information
Do not play favorites. Give all media access to the same information
Try to have consideration for their deadlines
Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan Step 4 Exercise the Plan and Floor Warden Training
Exercising the plan will involve training, practice exercises and evaluation. In single tenant facilities, the plan should become part of the corporate policies and be managed effectively. Note: Some tenants may have internal EAPs developed by their Headquarters office which may be from other states.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan Identify applicable federal, state and local regulations and statutes:
Occupational health and safety regulations Georgia Fire Safety Law Title 25 Official Code of Georgia (Appendix D) State Adopted Rules and Regulations 120-3-3 of the Georgia State Fire Marshals Office ( IFC 2006) (Appendix D) Environmental regulations
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan How is the Emergency Action Plan shared with the building occupants?
Offering periodic information and awareness presentations (in-house and external sources)
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Step 5 Test, Evaluate and Modify the Plan
The EAP and EEPs are dynamic and should be reviewed thoroughly (at least annually) and modified as needed particularly after each emergency; after each training drill or exercise.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan Review and update the plan whenever . . . personnel or their responsibilities change; tenants change; layout or design changes of the facility impact on the plan or procedures; and policies or procedures change.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan To determine if the objectives for the exercise or drill are achieved: Does the tenant management support the plan and participate appropriately in the exercise/drill scenarios? Are problem areas and resource shortfalls identified and addressed adequately? Does the plan reflect lessons learned from previous drills and actual events?
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Do individuals with specific duties specified by the procedure understand their responsibilities? Are they willing to perform their assigned activities? Can they perform their assigned activities? Are new personnel with specific responsibilities adequately trained? Have the risks and hazards changed in the facility? Have the key contacts changed? (names, titles, telephone numbers)
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan
Do building occupants know where their primary and secondary exits are situated in the event their normal escape route is contaminated or blocked? Is the existing method of communication adequate for relaying information and instructions to key personnel and building occupants during an emergency? If not, should other methods of communication be preplanned? (i.e., by private telephones, cell phones, pagers, or some other means.)
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Developing the Emergency Action Plan Each drill or exercise must be evaluated and documented with recommendations for improvements by designated individuals who thoroughly understand the facilitys emergency procedures and expected response by designated individuals and occupants.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Emergencies arising from human activity include situations instigated by an intentional criminal act, carelessness, human error, accidents or situations resulting from other large-scale incidents. This section covers the procedures that should be developed to address a major emergency due to human activity. It provides the necessary steps that should be taken by those who are directly responsible for building emergency preparedness (the Building Management Team) as well as information that will be useful to building occupants.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Medical Emergencies
Your Emergency Action Plan should incorporate medical and first aid (FA) procedures that include: Emergency contact phone numbers Names and phone numbers of occupants with accredited training in lifesaving techniques (FA, CPR, CERT, etc.) Managers of buildings with large occupant loads may wish to consider providing FA/CPR training, automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), in addition to basic first aid supplies
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Elevator Malfunctions
In the event of occupants becoming trapped in an elevator the BMT should:
Never attempt to evacuate occupants stranded in the elevator. Call 911 and the elevator service company. Only qualified personnel should be permitted to correct elevator malfunctions, or remove stranded occupants, as this is highly specialized and extremely hazardous work. Maintain communications with trapped occupants until first responders arrive and occupants are safely evacuated.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Natural Gas Leaks
Natural gas is colorless, odorless and highly flammable For safety, an odorizer called Mercaptan is added to make it noticeable The Mercaptan gives natural gas an odor of hydrogen sulfide (like rotten eggs) to aid in its detection
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Natural Gas Leaks (continued)
In the event of a natural gas leak: Notify Security and/or the BMT immediately
Call 911 (from a phone located well away from the odor and/or the source of the leak, if known)
Evacuate the building if the leak or odor is inside
Instruct occupants to absolutely not smoke nor use any electrical devices, including cell phones
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Suspicious Packages / Devices Personnel that work in Mail Rooms and others who accept and handle deliveries made by couriers and others should receive training on how to identify and handle suspicious packages. The extent of this training would correspond to the degree of risk related to the occupancy of the high-rise building. (e.g. a commercial building containing foreign consulates or corporate headquarters would be at higher risk than small businesses or a residential building.)
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Suspicious Packages / Devices (continued)
The following information should be shared with occupants to assist them in identifying and responding to suspicious envelopes and packages. What are the characteristics of a suspicious package?
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Suspicious Packages / Devices (continued) Excessive, inadequate or missing postage Handwritten or poorly typed addresses Incorrect titles or no name Misspelling of common words Oily stains, discoloration or odor No return address Excessive weight
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Suspicious Packages / Devices (continued) Lopsided or uneven envelope Protruding wires or aluminum foil Excessive security material like masking tape, string, etc. Visual distractions Strange noises or odors
?
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Suspicious Packages / Devices (continued) Restrictive markings such as: Personal, Confidential, or To Be Opened By Postmark city/state does not match the return address Foreign mail from politically unstable or hostile countries Unprofessional wrapping Threatening markings on exterior of package Inappropriate air mail or special delivery stickers
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Suspicious Packages / Devices (continued) What should occupants do if they find a suspicious package/device? Do not disturb, shake or bump it Do not open, smell, examine, touch or taste it Treat it as suspect and move a safe distance away Warn others in the immediate area of the situation Move to a safe area away from the package and report it to Security or the BET and call 911 the first responders will handle it and can advise you on further actions If necessary, initiate evacuation procedures
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Fire
Fire is a high risk to life safety in high-rise buildings, but a low frequency occurrence. In order to minimize the risk and impact of fire, the Rules and Regulations of the Georgia State Fire Marshals office, Section 120-3-3, outlines requirements for owners and managers of certain types of buildings and occupancies to develop and implement a Fire Safety Plan. (See Appendix D of Guidebook)
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Fire (continued)
A Fire Safety Plan is typically a section of your EAP and contains the emergency procedures to be used in case of fire including: 1st 2nd Notifying the fire department Pull the fire alarm + Provisions for access for fire fighting Instructing occupants on procedures to be followed when the fire alarm activates (horn / strobe) Evacuating endangered occupants Confining, controlling and extinguishing the fire
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Fire (continued)
the appointment, organization and training of designated supervisory staff to carry out fire safety duties the instruction of supervisory staff and other occupants so that they are aware of their responsibilities for fire safety the holding of fire drills using the Emergency Evacuation Plan guidelines
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity
Fire (continued)
the control of fire hazards in the building (prevention) the maintenance of building facilities provided for the safety of occupants the provision of alternative measures for the safety of occupants during any shutdown of fire protection equipment and systems or part thereof instructions, including schematic diagrams, describing the type, location and operation of building fire emergency systems
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Physical Threats
Criminals may use firearms, knives, arson, vehicles and other low tech devices to introduce physical threats. Security measures and physical barriers should be considered as a means of deterring or minimizing the impact of these threats and occurrences.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Physical Threats (continued)
Security personnel, receptionists, complaint department personnel or other employees that are in a position where they may have to deal with violent or potentially violent people should be provided training on conflict resolution and workplace violence. Please contact the Sandy Springs Police Department for more information regarding this type of training.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Physical Threats (continued)
Some people use fire as a means of terror. Arson involves the criminal use of fire to cause damage to property. Arsonists may use various types of accelerants, like flammable liquids, to increase fire growth and fire spread. Common and ordinary combustible materials such as wastepaper, cardboard, etc. are also ready fuels for arsonists. Therefore, good housekeeping and security are effective at reducing these fire risks.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Accidents
A hazardous materials accident can occur anywhere, anytime. Hazardous materials are used everywhere and are transported on our roadways daily; so any area is considered vulnerable to a haz-mat type accident or incident. What should the BMT do if a hazardous materials accident occurs near their building? Small amount versus large amount?
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Accidents (continued)
Try to stay upstream, uphill and upwind of any haz-mat incident with clear access to an evacuation route. If assisting victims do not try to care for them until the substance has been identified by the authorities and they indicate it is safe to help.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Emergencies Due to Human Activity What measures should be taken to shelter in place?
Sheltering in place is the procedure of moving people to a safe area of the building. Such safe areas are often called or identified by signs stating: Area of Refuge.
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Severe Storms
Thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, blizzards, ice storms, high winds and heavy rain can develop quickly and hit hard, posing a threat to life and property.
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Floods
Where flooding is a potential risk, the BMT may wish to consider the following: Providing pumps, generators, sandbags, etc., for temporary flood relief. Providing permanent breakwaters and dikes where the flood potential is high. Evaluate the potential impact on ground level and underground tanks
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Backup generators and adequate fuel supplies may be very helpful in maintaining essential building services (e.g., lighting, heating).
When there is a potential for a power failure occurring simultaneously with the building evacuation, building occupants should avoid using the elevators as a means to leave the building.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
Metro cities across the nation have developed highrise safety programs regarding mandated exercises and Emergency Action Plans (EAPs).
Definition: High-rise Building shall mean a building more than 75 feet in height, or seven (7) stories or more in height. Building height shall be measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupiable story.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
MAJOR CAUSES OF HIGH-RISE FIRES
The NFPA and the USFA report that the major causes of fires in high rise buildings are: smoking materials, electrical, flammable liquids (such as organic oils/solvents used during remodeling) and arson. Sandy Springs has been fortunate and only had a couple of minor fires in high-rise buildings, but nothing serious. We regularly monitor data through our fire incident reporting system, construction inspections and annual inspections to try to detect hazards and mitigate them to help prevent high-rise fires from occurring.
PREVENTION IS CRUCIAL IN PREVENTING FIRES!
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course STATE REQUIRMENTS
STATE LAWS RULES AND REGULATIONS LOCAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
Sandy Springs Fire Rescue believes that partnerships and relationships are important, especially among the high-rise community. These are customers that we may not otherwise reach routinely. Project HOPE seeks to develop an all-hazard mitigation and prevention culture and mindset as a priority in high-rises. Sometimes prioritizing means looking for the low hanging fruit for more easily mitigated problems to demonstrate small successes and help garner long term support. For Project HOPE to succeed it must be a collaborative effort of all the stakeholders.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
The SSFR model involves stakeholders from the occupants, tenants and visitors; to the building management team; to building owners; to SSFR personnel and other first responders. This approach is commonly called the SSFR enterprise approach. Partnerships are important to help develop strategies and tactics to obtain their buy-in to any plan, and for the resources they may be able to provide.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
Project HOPE is not a one-time effort the program must be sustainable over time to produce the desired long term results. According to the state adopted standards the following applies: NFPA Section 4.7 - Fire Drills, Emergency egress and relocation drills conforming to the provisions of the code shall be conducted.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
Drills shall be designed in cooperation with the local authorities. Drill Frequency is a minimum of once per year (annually).
Emergency egress and relocation drills, shall be held with sufficient frequency to familiarize occupants with the drill procedure and to establish conduct of the drill as a matter of routine. Drills shall include suitable procedures to ensure that all persons subject to the drill participate and emphasis shall be placed on orderly evacuations rather than on speed.
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Project HOPE - Basic Level Train-the-Trainer Course
A Note on Evacuations . . .
The multiple floors of a high-rise building create a cumulative effect requiring large numbers of persons to travel greater vertical distances on stairs in order to evacuate the building. In the first terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center high-rise office towers in 1993, tens of thousands of building occupants evacuated successfully and safely traversed some five million person-flights of stairs.
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The purpose of Project HOPE is to educate and inform the stakeholders of the high-rise building community how they can proactively prepare for and reactively respond to a variety of work place emergencies.
The high-rise occupant community consists of building stakeholders such as building owners, management, staff, tenants, occupants and visitors. It also includes the public safety first responders (fire, EMS, law enforcement.)
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TRIVIA:
What is the tallest high-rise building in the world? It is the Burj Khalifa building located in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The building is 2,717 ft. tall and has 160 floors. It was completed in 2010 at a cost of $1.5 billion (US).
We know that . . .
Emergencies and
First Interstate Bank Fire Los Angeles, CA. May 4, 1988 / 10:00pm
disasters happen
They can strike
little or no warning
Built in 1973 62-story office building Fire sprinklers being installed not yet on 1 civilian fatality 35 civilian injuries 14 firefighter injuries $50 million fire loss Only 4 floors burned Required 250 firefighters Cause: electrical
High-rise building fires are difficult to fight, costly, cause lots of property damage . . . and can be deadly!
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On November 21, 1980 in Las Vegas, Nevada an infamous high-rise fire occurred at the MGM Grand hotel.
There were 5,000 guests in the hotel at the time of the fire. Of those 85 people died and 650 were injured. The main cause of death was smoke inhalation. The high-rise portion (guest rooms) and area of origin (a deli) were not fire sprinkled. The cause of the fire was electrical.
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BEFORE no sprinklers.
Those who dont learn from history are doomed to repeat it. George Santayana
Lesson learned in Atlanta (1946) and in Las Vegas (1980) - at a cost of 204 lives!
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Sandy Springs Fire Rescue Ask yourself this do you know what to do if . . .
a fire breaks out on a floor below yours? a tornado is sighted approaching your building? a major snow and/or ice storm happens?
front of your building? an explosion shakes the whole building? smoke starts to fill your floor?
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Wind storms Tornados Hurricanes Flooding Ice or snow storms Earthquakes Hazardous materials incidents Elevator malfunctions Major power outages Workplace violence Civil disturbances / terrorism Bomb threats / suspicious packages
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the building
walking down many flights of stairs is physically demanding crowded stairwells can be noisy and may be dimly lit you may encounter firefighters coming up the stairwell some heat and smoke might still enter the stairwell
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Project HOPE offers specific measures that should be instituted right away to help prepare for emergencies.
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and comprehend events and actions that can impact you or your surroundings - either instantly or in the future
SA helps identify things that are constantly changing
around you, some rapidly and some slowly, some good and some not so good
SA provides you with the knowledge you need to
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UP
DOWN
AROUND
SA a nearby example . . .
On April 27, 2011 several tornadoes hit Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Hundreds of people were killed. Many victims had no idea of the imminent danger until it was upon them. Many were not situationally aware. Lesson learned: In areas prone to severe weather like tornados, practice SA. Get a weather alert app for your smartphone or use an alert radio, have a safe room in your home and office and take shelter immediately when a tornado warning is issued. Situational Awareness = Preparedness
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types of emergencies
Know at least TWO ways out (exits/stairwells) Have emergency supplies available
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yet (a tornado) follow the plan to take shelter Take a breath and look around Listen to instructions from Floor Wardens or others in charge Stay with a friend or associate for reassurance Be confident that you can and will survive
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are required in the fire code is intended to organize actions of employers and employees in anticipation of emergencies in the workplace encourages preparedness, as much as response
The Building Management Team (BMT) and the Building Emergency Team (BET) both need to read, understand and know their buildings EAP.
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types of emergency and disaster situations EAPs are often all-hazards plans because they deal with various emergencies and not just fires EAPs must be reviewed and updated regularly to remain current, applicable and useful
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A good EAP should . . . be simple and instructive specify responsibilities establish a defined command structure identify proper training needed encourage suggestions to improve it
Expect the worst and hope for the best!
- an old disaster planning motto
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A Coordinated Response
When an emergency occurs somebody needs to be in charge
Before first responders* arrive, that somebody should be a member of the building management team (BMT)
*Who are FIRST RESPONDERS? These are the professional emergency handlers. They are the trained police officers, fire fighters and paramedics that come to help you when you call 911.
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Each position has its own separate duties for day-to-day operations, but all need to work as a coordinated team in an emergency and in planning for emergencies.
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It is 3:00AM on a holiday weekend and youre sound asleep at home . . . The fire alarm at your office building starts sounding and there is a smell of smoke - uh oh . . . Whos watching your building? What have they been trained or told to do? Will they do that? If not, what will they do? Do they know they are in charge until the first responders arrive . . . in 4 to 10 minutes?
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until the first responders arrive and take command The Safety Director may coordinate and control the work of the Security staff, Engineering staff and Floor Wardens in effecting evacuations and determining the extent of the problem Floor Response Teams are led by a Floor Warden and consist of Assistant Floor Wardens, Search Monitors and/or Special Assistants (There is at least one Floor Warden per floor.) Search Monitors assure that the floor is clear and everyone has evacuated who should be (some people will shelter in place) Special Assistants may fight small fires, provide medical aid and assist those requiring help - staying with them until the first responders arrive to take over
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Communication is crucial
Search Monitors and Special Assistants need to keep their Floor Warden briefed on their efforts. In turn, Floor Wardens need to keep the Safety Director briefed on the activities for their floor. In a major emergency or disaster your office and community landline telephone systems may fail. Similarly, cellular telephone systems may become overloaded and wont work. Therefore, a private two-way radio system may be the only means of communication if it is available. Most building Security and Engineering staff have radios. Do you have spare batteries?
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There is a cubicle on fire in Suite 2010 on the 20th floor. We are all evacuating down the East stairwell. We cant get to the West stairwell because of heavy smoke on our floor. A last resort communication method is the use of runners, people on foot, to deliver messages from one point to another.
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Engineering, Floor Wardens, Search Monitors and Special Assistants Safety Director provides initial command of an incident and coordinates the Building Emergency Teams actions Floor Response Teams consists of the Floor Warden, Search Monitors and Special Assistants and conducts response activities on their floor Floor Wardens leads the Floor Response Team (there is one Floor Warden per floor) Search Monitors check to ensure the floor has been cleared and any persons in need of assistance have a Special Assistant with them Special Assistants assigned to assist physically impaired persons First Responders (Fire, EMS and/or Police) upon the arrival of public safety personnel command for the incident will transfer from the Safety Director to an Incident Commander (IC). The Safety Director or their designee should stay near the IC to help coordinate efforts.
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Communication Links
Building Emergency Team Communicates by two-way radio, F-T-F* or cell phone with each other. Initial situation should be reported to 911 and then to the Safety Director. First Responders (Fire, Police and/or EMS) Dispatched by 911 and communicate with each other and 911 by radio, F-T-F and with cell phones as a backup.
Anyone with a cell phone can contact 911 directly If the fire alarm is activated 911 will also be contacted by the
alarm monitoring company First responders and BMTs cannot talk to each other by radio
*F-T-F means face-to-face, or, in person
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SAFETY DIRECTOR
(& ALTERNATE)
FLOOR WARDENS
(& ALTERNATES)
SEARCH MONITORS
SPECIAL ASSISTANTS
procedures (EAP) which builds survival confidence Having a current EAP advising you of what to do Taking appropriate actions based on the EAP, current events and training (drills) Helping yourself and helping others
Remember this . . .
Once an emergency or disaster occurs, all time for preparation has ended.
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All stakeholders need to work together toward the common goal of saving lives and preventing injury. Successful survival is a team effort.
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Evacuations
Evacuation means leaving the area of imminent or potential danger. This may mean simply going to another floor, completely exiting the building or exiting and relocating to a distant geographic area. Evacuation-in-place (or shelter-in-place) means relocating to an approved location on your floor or within the building where a physical barrier separates you from the potential harm of the emergency. The type of evacuation you use (or are instructed to use per the EAP or direction of Floor Wardens) depends heavily on the circumstances of the event at that given moment . . . and into the foreseeable future.
Evacuation is intended to efficiently, safely and quickly remove you and others out of harms way.
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All the occupants of those three floors should evacuate the building just as they would during a full-building evacuation drill. If the emergency worsens, then the whole building will be evacuated.
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Most fire alarm systems in high-rises are designed to initially notify just three floors in the fire area.
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they dont all go off at once as movies and TV shows portray Most fire sprinklers in office buildings activate at 155 degrees A typical fire sprinkler head covers an area of about 144 square feet (12 x 12) Water damage? A single fire sprinkler will discharge about 22 GPM compared to a fire hose which discharges 250+ GPM Most fires are contained and/or controlled by 1 or 2 sprinklers Fire sprinkler heads may be exposed or concealed in the ceilings or sometimes in the walls
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head, including on shelves. This is especially important in storage and supply rooms, even against the walls damage the head or even cause the sprinkler to activate
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Stairway to Safety
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near ground level. This pressurization forces heat and smoke upward, toward the roof level, and out a vent. The purpose is to keep the atmosphere in the stairwell clearer for visibility and the air breathable for everyone to exit safely.
you should immediately proceed to an alternate or secondary exit and stairwell.
Exit 1
Exit 2
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Exit 3
shelter-in-place on a floor that is free of (or has less) smoke and heat. location. Advise how many people are taking shelter there, so rescuers can respond to assist you. removing high-heel shoes. Consider keeping a pair of walking shoes at your desk, or, remove and carry your high-heels for the walk down the stairs.
Suggested Not recommended
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In the Stairwell
Walk quickly but safely down the stairs - use
the handrails
Be careful!
the stairs - hot beverages can spill and burn you or others, and spilled beverages create a slip hazard that could injure others and even block the stairwell
attention to negotiating the stairway and listening for instructions from Floor Wardens
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landings allow persons to merge with those already using the stairwell the stairs stay to right side of stairwell
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EVACUATE or SHELTER-IN-PLACE?
What does the EAP recommend?
planned and practiced in advance; follows the EAP; is executed rapidly but safely. An escape is urgent; is hastily planned; is executed swiftly but sometimes carelessly in response to avoiding imminent danger.
Certain emergencies are sudden with little to no advance warning (i.e., an explosion or an earthquake). Escape may be your only option in such cases.
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Standpipe systems
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Reporting Emergencies
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Reporting Emergencies
Stay calm and alert co-workers of the situation Report the problem to Security or call 911 (as policy dictates)
talk slowly and speak clearly Advise exactly WHAT the situation is:
a trash can is on fire
Advise exactly WHERE you need the help: 10th floor in suite 1011 stairwell B at 18th floor landing inside elevator #2
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Report fires (or the sight/smell of smoke) immediately Close doors to the area of the fire - if safe to do so Pull the manual fire alarm / alert others of the situation Use fire extinguisher(s) if fire is small - and safe to do so Know what the fire alarm signal sounds like Know the location of all exits and stairwells on your floor Do NOT use the elevators Follow the EAP and directions of Floor Wardens or officials Dont take bulky personal property or hot drinks with you Close doors behind you after you exit through them Stay calm and orderly while evacuating Report to your Floor Warden in the assembly area
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Know where fire extinguishers are located and how to operate them
Know where all the stairwells are located
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located on each floor level usually near the exits They may be either wall mounted or in a wall cabinet Remove it from the wall or cabinet and carry to the fire location
To operate the extinguisher remember the word PASS:
Remember - PASS
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Medical Emergencies
Stay calm your being calm will help the victim stay calm Call 911 immediately and provide all information requested by the
911 call taker or dispatcher Alert co-workers and Security staff of the problem or situation Obtain first aid kit and/or Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and know where these are located BEFORE the medical emergency
elevator, move furniture, open doors, etc.) Meet and direct first responders to the victims location Assist the first responders if they request help or information Learn First Aid PH Basic Level T-t-T Office Module 153 and CPR!
Provide care and treatment to the extent of your training and skills Coordinate with Security to ensure prompt access for first responders (hold
Severe Weather Alert Types When any type of severe weather is forecast for an area the National Weather Service has two levels of alerts:
A WATCH means that there is a possibility that
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Tornadoes
Stay alert and monitor changing weather conditions:
advisories, watches or warnings Be aware of the possability of heavy rain, flooding, strong winds and hail Be prepared for the possibility of extended power outages Remove all loose objects on walls, desks, cabinets, etc. in or near perimeter offices and store them in a secure interior location Close doors of perimeter offices / leave interior doors open Relocate expensive equipment away from perimeter of building Be observant of any building damage (broken windows, water leaks, etc.) and report them to security or maintenance personnel Shelter-in-place in a stairwell or solid interior room
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Severe Thunderstorms
Stay alert and monitor conditions: watches or warnings Be aware of the probability of heavy rain, strong winds and
lightning Be prepared for the possibility of tornadoes Be prepared for possible power outages / back-up computer work Stay away from windows (especially if there is lightning activity) Be alert for downed trees, power lines and wind-blown debris outdoors
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Hurricanes
Stay alert and monitor changing weather conditions Be aware of the probability of heavy rains, flooding and strong winds and
possibility of tornadoes Be prepared for the possibility of extended power outages elevators may not be operating, there may be none or only minimal lighting Remove all loose objects on walls, desks, cabinets, etc. in or near perimeter offices and store them in a secure location Close doors of perimeter offices / leave interior doors open Relocate expensive equipment away from perimeter of building Be observant of any building damage (broken windows, water leaks, etc.) and report them to security or maintenance personnel
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Workplace Violence
Practice situational awareness on the job Beware of warning signs threats, hostility, anger, personal
issues, altercations, terminations, domestic issues, etc. Report suspicious individuals, threatening actions or questionable activity to Security or call 911 If gunshots are heard escape the area (if safe to do so), if not, then close and lock doors if an option, get down on the floor under a desk and call 911
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Civil Disturbances
Practice situational awareness stay informed Use a phone tree or social media so Security and/or the Safety
Director can alert employees of problems quickly Stay inside the building away from demonstrators and make sure Security and law enforcement have been notified Secure doors and stay away from windows and glass Dont taunt or get involved ignore those participating in the disturbance Handling a civil disturbance is a matter for building Security staff and public law enforcement If you feel threatened ask Security for an escort to or from the building or parking facility
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Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials (haz mats) are everywhere! If a haz mat leak or spill occurs inside your office area or building you should evacuate the immediate area and call 911. Try to avoid being exposed to the material. If there is a haz mat incident outside your building or near your building you will be notified of actions to take by the local authorities.
Nitrous oxide tanker spill on I-285 to GA400 connector.
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First aid kit / AED / latex gloves Flashlights with extra batteries / Lightsticks (NO candles) Emergency cell phone with charged batteries Bottled water / emergency food supplies Blankets Weather radio or battery powered radio Heavy gloves, hardhats and basic tool box Whistle / walkie talkies Sturdy walking shoes Other: ____________________________________
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by security staff and floor wardens to follow evacuation routes to a pre-determined assembly area - usually a lawn area or open space (KNOW where your area is located.) Walk quickly away from the building and watch above for possible falling debris Watch for vehicles and incoming emergency apparatus if you cross roadways or fire lanes In your assembly area you will be accounted for by your Floor Warden Dont leave until you are told you can by emergency management personnel Stay with your group and dont wander off
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persons unable to self-evacuate due to a physical disability The Floor Warden needs to assist in locating, assisting and relocating persons with physical disabilities to a safe area of refuge during any type of emergency or evacuation A common area of refuge is in stairwells, but it should not impede egress of other people evacuating Notify Security or Building Management staff promptly to alert incoming first responders of the person(s) and their location(s) of any persons in areas of refuge If there are any indications of the onset of a medical emergency involving such persons, that information needs to be relayed to incoming first responders (by calling 911) The Floor Warden or an assistant must stay with the person until first responders arrive to handle further evacuation
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Elevators
Not to be used during a fire
Often dont work during a fire (auto recall to lobby or power shut down) Elevator shafts may fill with smoke May be needed by firefighters
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Special Planning
Each floor shall have a current floor plan map posted on
the wall near the exits and elevator(s) showing at least two recommended evacuation routes from all points on the floor. A similar map shall be kept in the EAP binder. The floor plan map shall show the location of all exits from that floor, fire alarm pull stations, location of fire extinguishers, location of first aid kit (and AED if applicable) and location of emergency supplies. The EAP should contain provisions for assisting persons who might not speak English or who may have physical disabilities that would need special assistance to evacuate. The Floor Warden needs to know the identify of any employees who may delay evacuating in order to shut down critical operations. These people must be capable of recognizing when to abandon the operation and evacuate themselves.
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Floor Wardens
A critical position on every buildings Emergency Response Team is that of Floor Warden.
Each floor shall have an assigned Floor Warden
and each Floor Warden shall have an assigned Assistant Floor Warden All Floor Wardens shall have an identifiable vest (typically fluorescent orange or green) that they need to wear during any drills or actual events The Floor Warden needs to know who may be delayed in evacuating due to responsibilities to shut down or transfer critical operations. Those persons must be capable of recognizing when to abandon the operation and evacuate themselves.
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assistance and assigning a Special Assistant to them Report names and locations of anyone staged in an area of refuge or sheltering-in-place Accounting for occupants and visitors at the Evacuation Assembly Area and reporting that information to the Safety Director Reporting any persons unaccounted for to Safety Director and Authorities promptly
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Basic Level Train-the-Trainer sessions are available for companies to internally train their own staff and tenants.
Certificates of Completion will be provided for those who successfully complete training sessions.
To learn more contact: Sandy Springs Fire Rescue at 770-206-2082 Sandy Springs Police at 770-551-6900
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