Security is quite rightly high on the agenda for most owners and occupiers of business premises. Security doors, fencing, roller shutters and barred windows are all installed to prevent people from entering buildings and sites.
This causes problems for the Emergency Services who may be attending your unoccupied premises because of an alarm sounding, reports of fire or criminal damage. They have to decide whether to force an entry which could take some time and cause expensive damage, wait and hope someone turns up, which means they are not available for further incidents or risk returning without taking any action.
There are also major problems with making buildings secure, perhaps following a fire, a break in, broken windows or forced entry by the emergency services etc. The Fire Service has no list of key-holders to call upon and the Police do not maintain current up to date information as it is too time consuming and difficult to manage.
The Solution
The new Emergency Services online database at www.emkey.co.uk, has been designed to provide a low cost link between the officers attending the premises and your nominated key-holders. They can be notified that there is an incident at your premises and asked to attend. Even if a forced entry has to be made prior to their arrival, early assistance by persons familiar with the building is vital to access other parts, reset alarms etc.
Registration on the database is to simply go online and enter the name and address of the premises, up to 3 key-holders contact numbers and any additional useful information eg. barrier codes, numbers of preferred tradesmen, electrician/plumber/boarding up company\alarm company etc. An estimated time for key-holders to arrive would be useful and anything that could assist the Fire or Police officers in attendance, hazardous materials, dangerous substances, guard dogs etc.
Once your registration has been accepted you will be sent a self adhesive vinyl sticker to display at your premises. This will be a simple way to alert officers to the fact that the premises are registered on the database.
On these stickers will be a unique number, this when transmitted back to the respective control centres will enable a quick search of the database to find the correct details. Searches will also be possible by address but as a large number of properties on industrial estates, for example, have similar addresses, this unique number will be beneficial. See a sample sticker here.
Log in by registered members will be by the unique number and a password. Members can log in by the unique number and a password to view and amend their details as required to keep the database up to date and at no extra cost.
The Police and Fire Services control centres will log in, again at no cost, by password to access the details and inform your main key-holder and subsequent key-holders if necessary.
Whats does membership cost?
The scheme is being set up for the Derbyshire area and Derbyshire Emergency Services initially and has received their full support. Thus membership to EmKey is an introductory price of £25 for 12 months registration of each business premises.
This offer can be withdrawn at any time. After registering, you will receive a conformation email and be sent an invoice for the annual subscription. Once invoice has been paid, the stickers with your unique number will be issued.
If you would prefer to register by post, send full name and address of the premises, the contact numbers of up to 3 key-holders, their estimated time to arrive at the premises and any additional information. Post to: EMERGENCY KEYHOLDERS
PO BOX 7316
DERBY
DE7 0BJ
Members Areas
Registered members also get unique access to a members area, where there are free downloads to assist responsible persons carry out their obligations under the Fire Safety Order 2005 ie fire risk assessment is a legal requirement. Official guides can be downloaded and checklists to enable you to carry out a fire risk assessment, together with fire safety logbooks to record your testing and maintenance checks, all freely available. This effectively covers the cost of the registration fee.
The members’ area contains help and advice on fire risk assessments which is a legal requirement under the Fire Safety Order 2005. Plus more free downloads.
Key Holders Role & Responsabilties
• They agree that their telephone numbers will be on the database and could be called by Police or Fire control centres
• Key-holders requested to attend should have knowledge and access to all areas of the building
• They should know how to reset fire/burglar alarm systems
• Preferably they can supply a basic plan of the premises showing walls and doors, main gas and electric supplies and any useful information for the Emergency Services
• If attending and the Emergency Services have left, or are not yet in attendance care must be take as intruders could still be on the premises or opening doors to smouldering fires could easily worsen the situation. If in doubt wait and call back the appropriate Service.
