5 Ways Emergency Services for Facilities Have Changed in the Face of Labor Shortages

What would you do if there was an emergency and the only people who could help were out on just unavailable? You might be surprised to hear that this is a question that many facility managers are now facing. Labor shortages have caused emergency services to change dramatically in recent years, and it's essential to understand these changes to keep your business running smoothly. In this article, I'll discuss five ways emergency services have changed in the face of labor shortages.

1) Longer Response Times

One of the most significant changes to emergency services is that response times have increased. This is because there are fewer people available to respond to emergencies. Emergency services in FM also face an ever-increasing volume of calls, reducing their ability to respond quickly. To combat this problem, many businesses are now investing in technology to help automate some tasks that emergency services personnel typically handle. This includes automatic doors and locks and security systems that can immediately alert authorities in an emergency. And the addition of AI and use of IWMS systems responce to emergency situations are becoming even efficient.

2) Labor Shortages

Whether from a lack of funding or low pay, brands all over the country are struggling to retain employees in FM. As a result, emergency services often have long wait times. It’s not uncommon to wait over 4 hrs for emergency service. To make matters worse, there are very few support staff members on standby during these periods, so while you’re waiting, it can feel like no one is coming. To attract more labor and keep current employees happy and healthy, some companies have adopted new strategies in hiring practices, including two-day work weeks and limited contracts instead of permanent employment.

To make matters worse, first responders are often exhausted or tired due to long shifts. Most shifts last 12 hours, and since labor shortages have made it difficult to fill positions, many employees must work two or three jobs. As a result, morale among emergency services is low, and workers are always looking for better opportunities. Another issue that hasn’t been addressed is how to deal with large-scale emergencies, such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters where the workforce is already stretched thin, but millions more people need assistance.

3) Increased Need For Training

Because disasters and emergencies tend to happen without warning, emergency service professionals must be prepared for any event. It’s more important than ever that these professionals are trained. Currently, there is a shortage of professional emergency service workers, and it’s getting worse as more buildings are implemented. Facility Managers must step up their game if they want to meet demand. Investing in an emergency response plan can help reduce risks and protect employees by preparing them with information on what to do during a disaster or emergency. Training on how to respond, who will respond first, and what kind of equipment will be needed can also help reduce risk.

4) Reduced Budgets

The United States currently has a severe personnel shortage in FM due to retirement and low wages. The result is fewer people trained to respond when disaster strikes. Brands around the country that employ their own facility team are facing this situation. If FM's don't have the resources on staff they need to have backup plans ready in case their local support cannot respond immediately. For example, if your company’s property no longer has techs available due to reduced budgets, you might need to look into emergency service with a facility maintenance company to handle water mitigation instead of sending maintenance techs from another property. A third-party maintenance crew can quickly tarp off areas and put down sandbags to avoid flooding and help save your location from flood damage.

5) More Public Awareness

More people than ever are aware of ways to respond in an emergency. This is thanks to well-funded public awareness campaigns that have effectively educated a range of populations about what to do, when, and how. Most recently, for example, a movement called Be Ready has encouraged people to prepare themselves and their communities for emergencies; organizations like Red Cross have distributed kits with emergency essentials like food, water, and a first aid kit; and volunteers have been working tirelessly across various platforms to spread emergency response tips. As a result, it’s easier for citizens to help themselves during times of need.

Emergency services have changed dramatically in recent years due to labor shortages. While this can be a difficult adjustment for business owners, it's essential to understand these changes and how they can impact your business. Have you been affected by labor shortages in emergency services? What has been the most challenging part of adapting to these changes? Share your story in the comments below.