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It’s been almost ten years since Hurricane Wilma, and Florida has been fortunate in remaining storm and damage free from natural catastrophes. While we can appreciate our string of good luck, we need only look at the news reports of storms in the Midwest and earthquakes and typhoons overseas to understand that we need to remain vigilant in our emergency preparedness. We hope the next news story is not our own!
A new edition of the Florida Building Code comes into effect on July 1, 2015. While the significant structural upgrades came into effect in the previous code update, this is a reminder that the State is diligent in its quest to learn from the past and minimize damage in the future.
Over the years, healthcare organizations have made great strides in protecting their facilities. Some buildings were hardened, energy plants upgraded, and budgets prepared for the improvements to meet all their needs. Unfortunately, after several clean hurricane seasons and ever tightening budget constraints, many facilities have delayed or scrapped plans for additional hurricane hardening. Therefore, there are still medical facilities with partially hardened patient areas, exposed infrastructures, non-impact, non-shuttered windows and doors, and non-reinforced walls that remain vulnerable.
It’s difficult to predict if we will have an active hurricane season this year. While no one enjoys the discussion of probability and statistics, chances are that a hurricane will hit the United States this year; and the odds indicate that Florida is a possible prime location for that to occur.
Throughout the past several years we have witnessed exposed deficiencies in window installation, significant water penetration, numerous unprotected openings, unprotected equipment, unprotected tank farms and chillers, and even walls incapable of protection from high velocity missile impact (HVMI).
There is much work left to be done. As essential service buildings, our medical facilities have a documented standard of performance in a weather emergency. Therefore, it is imperative that the hardening work continues so that the South Florida community can rest assured that their medical facilities will remain functioning during and be available after a hurricane.
