As GlobeSt.com reported, ISAC chairman and Real Estate Roundtable president and CEO Jeffrey DeBoer has unveiled plans to hike industry awareness of the center, with GlobeSt.com and parent organization Real Estate Media an essential part of the initiative. GlobeSt.com recently interviewed DeBoer to underscore the need for the campaign and the essential service of ISAC. In addition to the Roundtable, participating groups are BOMA International, IREM, ICSC, IFMA, NAIOP, NAREIT, NAR and NMHC. From the lodging industry come the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the American Resort Development Association.
ISAC aims to disseminate information concerning threats and advisories the group feels the industry should have as well as disseminate ideas they think the industry should develop concerning threats, DeBoer told GlobeSt.com. Also, through ISAC, office, hotel and apartment owners can share what they're doing in their individual sectors.
ISAC’s current campaign is to get people to understand that terrorist threats are real, and that there is a role for everyone to play in a solution, DeBoer says.
DeBoer added that the further we get away from the events of Sept. 11, the easier it is for people to become complacent. The campaign is designed to reinvigorate that focus and make people aware that the threat is still out there.
Building owners couldn't have prevented Sept. 11, but those companies in the towers that had emergency plans and rehearsed them had a much reduced casualty rate, he says.
Obviously certain companies and regions of the country are much more aware of potential problems and have prepared much better. Clearly the urban centers and iconic buildings are much better prepared. The shopping center industry has made tremendous behind-the-scenes efforts to keep the shopping experience open but safe. In terms of real estate tenants, some tenants are extremely prepared, and others are not so prepared. ISAC is encouraging better tenant relationships and the integration of preparedness plans.
