The ASCE Wisconsin Section December 2016 Newsletter included a good article from Greg Schroeder. Civil engineers and safety engineers around the nation have also identified these discussed hazards to the public, and many activities already exist to keep the public safe. Risk assessments, security measures, and response plans are developed as part of these work activities. Incident Action Plans (IAP) include the measurable strategic operations to be achieved and are prepared around a timeframe called an Operational Period. The purpose of the IAP is to provide all incident supervisory personnel with direction for actions to be put into action during the operational period identified in the plan. There are many professional and technical committees involved with developing best practices to keep the public safe. The American Society of Safety Engineers - Wisconsin Section recently held a meeting with a guest speaker on threats to the public. It should be noted that the term "active shooter" has been superseded with the term "armed assailant" by more and more professionals in the public safety sector. Assailants may be armed with and utilize a vehicle or other devices to harm the public. There are many programs including NIMS (National Incident Management System), RAM (Risk Assessment Methodology) and ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) that professionals use to educate and prepare engineers and the public. Unfortunately, most civil engineers are not exposed to these safety and security topics in their college schooling so professional development and continuing education is imperative to protect the public.
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Terence Browne, CSP, P.E., M.ASCE
Vice President of Safety
Collins Engineers, Inc.
Milwaukee WI
(414) 349-2200
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