Part I of II - Crisis in Plain Site: Robb Elementary Shooting Reveals that In-Building Public Safety Radio Coverage was "Mostly Ineffective" 

"Upon entering the building, the officers tried but were unable to communicate on their radios."

We of the Safer Buildings Coalition mourn with the Uvalde community the tragic loss of life resulting from the assault on Robb Elementary School on May 25th. While it is the role of many to find every solution that could make our schools safer, it is the role of the SBC to examine whether public safety communications may have been a factor in such an incident, and how we might work to improve  such problems wherever possible.

The Interim report of the Investigative Committee on the Robb Elementary Shooting of the Texas House of Representatives found that Robb Elementary “did not adequately prepare for the risk of an armed intruder on campus.” “Upon entering the building, the officers tried but were unable to communicate on their radios.”

In today’s world, it’s simply unacceptable to have people inside buildings unable to communicate with each other during an emergency.

In Part I of a two-part series, Safer Buildings Coalition examines a crucial element of this tragedy: Poor in-building public safety coverage. 

In Part II, next month, the Safer Buildings Coalition will examine:

• How common is the problem? Actual school in-building testing data
• Solutions
• Success Stories
• Grants and Funding
• What other verticals need to be prioritized? (i.e. Higher Ed, Malls, Healthcare, more...)
• Next Steps and Call to Action  

From the Chief’s Corner: Safer Buildings Expands to Canada

SBC Celebrates Milestone Hosting First Ever International In-Building Public Safety Communications Seminar
By Chief Alan Perdue (ret.), SBC Executive Director
Posted on July 28, 2022

SBC celebrates milestone hosting its first ever international In-Building Public Safety Communications Seminar in Toronto, Canada. In doing so, SBC became a North American Coalition, taking the next step to being a global influence that will make the world safer by taking on the threat posed by wireless dead zones.

Codes and Standards Work Group July 2022 Update

Government Affairs Work Group July 2022 Update

Meet the Newest Safer Buildings Coalition Members - July 2022

Posted on July 28, 2022

The Safer Buildings Coalition continues to grow. It’s our pleasure to introduce you to some of the newest additions to our member base: Connected Technologies, Health Signals and Invision Communications, Inc. Welcome to SBC!

SBC Staff Transition Update

By John Foley, SBC Managing Director
Posted on July 28, 2022

Safer Buildings Coalition has assembled a strong team over the past decade. And when a team member transitions, we meet the occasion with a mix of overwhelming gratitude, and a touch of sadness to see them move on. We’d like to first celebrate the retirement of our ever faithful and reliable Operations Manager, Nancy Hoppe, and to briefly introduce some of our new team members.

2022 Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors Slate

Posted on July 18, 2022

The 2022 election for the Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors is here! As always, we strongly encourage our members to vote in this election -- Electronic polling is open July 15th - Aug 15th. 

Call for Nominations! 2022 SBC Board of Directors Election  

Posted on June 30, 2022

The 2022 election for the Safer Buildings Coalition Board of Directors is coming up. As always, we strongly encourage our members to vote in this election -- and to consider putting your name on the 2022 ballot and help the Coalition continue to make a difference. 

Florida passes SB 1190 - Clarifying and expanding exemptions for in-building public safety communications coverage

SBC lobbying efforts positively impact the legislative outcome
By John Foley, SBC Managing Director

Posted on June 30, 2022

Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC) requires adequate public safety communications coverage inside buildings (new and existing). Florida statute § 633.202 (18) provides for a compliance extension until 2025 for existing high-rise buildings, and now provides for a full exemption for one very specific building type.

From “Advancement” to “Member Advocacy” Work Group |
A Change in Name and Mission

By Aaron Friedman and Jason Jacobs, Co-Chairs of the Member Advocacy Group

Posted on June 30, 2022

To secure its future, an organization must continuously work to build relationships with individuals and groups that can contribute to its success.  Advancement is critical for any organization, but what happens after that initial connection is made?  It's Member Advocacy time!  This phase of the relationship-building process is where organizations need to focus, deepening the connection and engaging our members.  The Member Advocacy Work Group has made a lot of changes over the last few months.  We have elected new leadership, we have changed our focus, changed our mission, and we have even changed our name.