AFE March/April 2012 : Page 27CHAPTERS RISING : CROSSING BOUNDARIES TO CONNECT CRITICAL FACILITIES to regular patrons. Cabot stated if not for the committed staff and volunteers, the situation could have been overwhelm-ing. A few of the many challenges they overcame included providing food and a secure protected environment for fl ood victims, managing and providing shelter for additional staff , and sanitizing the facility prior to transforming it back into a fi tness and recreation center. Other critical facilities, such as data centers, utility companies, post offi ces and hospitals present their own list of exceptional challenges and safeguards. Larry McCarty, engineering operations manager for Th e Methodist Hospital System in Texas, has been instrumental in ensuring his facility is prepared to weather the storms that frequent that area. “Hospitals, unlike many other fa-cilities, must have redundant systems in place and a great response team in order to reduce risk of property damage and ensure the well-being of patients, staff , and associated occupants,” McCarty explained. “Sharing what we’ve learned along the way is just a natural method for giving back to the profession.” Get Connected…Get Prepared Erceg extends an open invitation for AFE members to become a part of the Critical Facilities Council. Council par-ticipation is a free member benefi t with tremendous rewards. Heslin, through BNP Media, is extending to each council member a free subscription to Mission Critical magazine. In addition, members get free access to upcoming AFE webinars and conference calls on topics directly related to critical facili-ties management and preparation. “AFE brings all of the information together,” said Jim Elder (Chapter 39 – Silicon Valley, California). “Its [corporate] members specialize in preparatory and preventive equipment that promote safety and compliance to federal standards…they are willing to share their expertise.” Erceg said that eventually the Critical Facilities Council will work in conjunc-tion with AFE’s Professional Develop-ment Committee, chaired by Larry Ross, AFE board immediate past chair, to form credentials for those employed at critical facilities to ensure training in related core competencies. FEJ Talisa Th omas-Hall is AFE senior director of membership and operations. One of her primary responsibilities is to serve as the staff liaison to chapters and regions. She can be reached at 571-203-7236 or via email at TTh omashall@ afe.org. Th ose interested in joining the Critical Facilities Council may do so by emailing TTh omashall@afe.org. Resources 1 http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fl oodplain/ nfi pkeywords/critical_facility.shtm#0 “ W i t th new, more energy effic i ent and susta i nable bu i ld i ng systems and techn i ques ava i lable every day, i t i s more i mportant than ever for fac i l i t i es en-g i neers and operat i ons and ma i ntenance profess i onals to demonstrate the sk i lls, educat i on and tra i n i ng necessary to successfully operate today ’ s h i gh tech fac i l i t i es by becom i ng AFE Cert i fied d . —Larry Ross, PE, CPE, CPMM Cha i r, AFE Profess i onal Development Comm i ttee Get AFE Certified! UPCOMING REVIEW COURSES FOR CERTIFICATION YOUR COMPANY >>> AFE certifi cation gives you the strategies and tools to overcome the workplace challenges you face every day. WHY BECOME AFE CERTIFIED? ” FOR YOUR FUTURE EMPLOYER >>> AFE certifi cation on your resume lets prospective June 22-24, 2012 June 4-6, 2012 May 9-11, 2012 Herndon, VA Fayetteville Waltham, MA employers know you’re the Technical kind of person who is (near Washington, DC) Community College (near Boston, MA) to get motivated the job done right! Fayetteville, NC FOR YOURSELF! >>> Nothing beats the pride you feel knowing that you have set yourself apart from the crowd by becoming AFE certifi ed. September 8-9, 2012 Arlington, VA (near Washington, DC) Oct. 2011-April 2012 Virtual Review Course (new dates coming soon) September 7-9, 2012 Arlington, VA (near Washington, DC) more about Learn More About AFE AFE Certification Cert i ficat i on WWW�e;!&%�e;ORG�f;CERTIlCATIONsCERTIlCATION AFE�e;ORGs�e; �e; at www.AFE.org/certification March | April 2012 Q  Facilities Engineering Journal Q  www.AFE.org 27 Publication List Using a screen reader? Click Here |
