How Facilities Can Combine Tech and Strategy to Stay Crisis-Ready

Emergency plans for Facilities Management, if not kept up to date, can prove to be disastrous. 

In a world where a single outage can shut down operations, damage brand reputation and trigger compliance issues, just having a binder of SOPs in case of emergency might not be enough. 

Facilities Management is now moving away from reactive maintenance and operations to resilience and risk mitigation. 

The future of emergency preparedness as such lies not just in fast reaction times but also in designing facilities, systems and response protocols that adapt in real time. 

Whether it’s through smart building technology, cross-functional crisis playbooks or supplier continuity strategies, facility leaders need to think like risk consultants because business continuity is now a core deliverable.

In our previous blog, Don’t Let Your Facility Be Caught off Guard — Plan for Emergencies Now, we emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness and how facility managers can anticipate risks and implement resilient strategies to mitigate disasters. 

Building on this foundation, we now delve into the trends reshaping facility emergency preparedness.

As risks to facilities become increasingly dynamic -- from climate change-induced disasters to sophisticated cyberattacks -- facility managers must shift toward anticipatory risk management and adaptive resilience planning. 

For example, a fire at the Chemtool lubricant manufacturing facility in Illinois in 2021 exposed critical failures in emergency preparedness. A contractor struck a pipe during routine maintenance, sparking a fire that raged for days, forced the evacuation of over 1,000 people, and caused lasting environmental damage. 

The key failures in emergency preparedness were found to be the absence of incident command system, coordination with fire responders, and preventive protocols for high-risk zones. Simple measures such as FM-led risk assessments, emergency drills, and chemical inventory systems could have made all the difference.

Today, technology offers the tools to prevent such disasters before they start:

IoT & Smart Sensors: Real-Time Monitoring for Predictive Risk Detection

The Internet of Things (IoT) addresses the limitations of traditional systems, particularly the absence of real-time decision-making capabilities. Smart sensors embedded within IoT networks provide real-time monitoring of key parameters like temperature, humidity, structural integrity, and equipment performance. This lets facility managers address potential risks before they escalate. These devices collect and transmit data, creating a dynamic risk detection framework.

AI-Driven Risk Analysis: Identifying Vulnerabilities Before They Escalate

Instead of just reacting to problems, AI tools can sift through huge amounts of data to spot patterns that might signal something is about to go wrong. This helps facility managers focus on the right areas and use their resources more efficiently. 

Programs like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s GOES-R Satellites are equipping utilities with real time data for early wildfire detection. 

AI also enhances scenario modeling, enabling organizations to simulate complex emergencies such as combined cyber and physical attacks. These simulations help refine response strategies, making them more robust and adaptive.

Automation & Robotics: Improving Crisis Response Efficiency

Robotics is transforming industrial safety by introducing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and reduce risks in critical environments. 

Companies like SMP Robotics are developing reliable robotic systems for chemical plants, oil and gas facilities, and remote or sparsely staffed locations, such as unmanned gas stations. 

These advanced robots act as vigilant sentinels, continuously monitoring operations and addressing hidden risks before they escalate into significant hazards. 

Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and automation, they can perform essential tasks such as shutting down equipment during emergencies with precision, triggering fire suppression systems in seconds to minimize damage, and guiding people to safety during evacuations, thereby reducing panic and chaos.

By cutting down response times and minimizing the potential for human error, robotic technologies are proving to be invaluable assets in high-stakes industrial settings, where every second counts.

Sustainable Resilience: Building a Greener Future

By adopting eco-friendly practices, organizations can enhance their ability to withstand emergencies while minimizing environmental impact.

Green Infrastructure: 

Facilities can integrate renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines to ensure power availability during grid outages. Sustainable water management systems, such as rainwater harvesting, can provide critical resources during water supply disruptions. 

For example, the Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center in California installed solar panels and battery storage systems to create a microgrid capable of operating independently during power outages. This setup ensured uninterrupted patient care during a recent wildfire-induced blackout.

Circular Economy

Emphasizing reusable and recyclable materials in construction and maintenance reduces waste and enhances post-disaster recovery. For instance, modular building components can be quickly replaced or repaired after structural damage.

Human-Centric Design: Prioritizing Occupant Safety and Well-Being

Facilities are increasingly incorporating design elements that enhance safety, accessibility, and occupant well-being during crises. While technology plays a crucial role, human-centric design remains fundamental to effective emergency preparedness.

For instance, 22 Bishopsgate, the skyscraper in London, has introduced a new type of passenger lift fire evacuation solution, setting a new standard in emergency preparedness for high-rise buildings. 

Unlike traditional approaches that rely solely on fire escape stairs, the system allows for the safe and efficient use of passenger lifts during an evacuation.

These lifts are equipped with advanced safety features such as fire-resistant shafts, backup power supplies, and real-time monitoring to ensure smooth operations even under crisis conditions.

This innovation not only speeds up evacuation times but also provides a safer and more inclusive option for individuals with mobility challenges.

Embracing the Future of Emergency Preparedness

Facility emergency preparedness is entering a new phase. With smarter tools like sensors, automation, and real-time analytics, alongside better planning and inclusive design, organizations can prepare more effectively for disruption. The aim isn’t just to get through a crisis — it’s to keep people safe and operations running, no matter the conditions.

The future of facility management lies in proactive planning, innovative solutions, and a steadfast commitment to safety and sustainability. 

Authors: Riya Agrawal & Aditya Das Sharma

If you are looking for a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan tailored to your needs, write to daryl.watkins@gep.com today.