Security And Emergency Preparedness

BOMA’s Preparedness Committee works and collaborates with industry leaders on ways to improve emergency preparedness and increase building resilience. The committee serves as a resource to ensure members have the best tools to respond appropriately and recover quickly from emergency situations, natural disasters and other building security issues. Learn more about how you can be the most prepared real estate professional in the industry with the resources below.

BOMA International's Preparedness Committee

If you are looking to collaborate with respected industry leaders, shape the commercial real estate industry’s preparedness strategies, and make a meaningful impact in your community, then consider joining BOMA International’s Preparedness Committee. Interested applicants should email [email protected] with ‘BOMA Intl Preparedness Committee Membership’ in the subject line.

CRE Industry Preparedness Resources

A safe building is a well-run building. Keeping building occupants safe should always be a top priority for property professionals. BOMA has compiled resources and considerations to prepare for potential threats to your building and use them as an addition to your own emergency preparedness plan.

BOMA's Civil Unrest Guide

BOMA’s Civil Unrest and the Election Season gives you the tools you need to make preparations and minimize potential disruptions related to both federal and local elections.

Download the Guide

BOMA's Emergency Preparedness Guidebook

BOMA is in the process of updating its Emergency Preparedness Guidebook. If you are a BOMA member with expertise in emergency preparedness and are interested in participating in the guide’s updating, please reach out to [email protected].

Email Us

Lessons Learned in 2025 and What to Prepare for in 2026

This webinar examines the most significant emergency events of 2025 and distills the lessons that matter most for today’s commercial property professionals. Gain a clear understanding of evolving risks, practical preparedness steps, and strategies for strengthening response capabilities.

Watch the Webinar

If you would like to see webinars or resources on topics not already included here, please email [email protected].

Federal Preparedness Resources

BOMA works with a number of federal partners to ensure that our members have access to the most up-to-date information to keep their buildings and systems secure.

Natural Disasters Affecting Commercial Real Estate

Floods

While floods may occur with little to no warning, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the damage when you do receive flood warnings. First and foremost, ensure that all occupants know how to safely evacuate the building and, when evacuation is not possible, know where within the building to safely await assistance. After occupants’ safety is addressed, focus on limiting damage to the building. Begin by: relocating building contents to floor levels that are above the anticipated flood levels, de-energizing electrical equipment serving portions of the building that may become flooded to reduce shock-hazard, protecting points of entry with sand bags or other methods of limiting water intrusion, and preparing pumps and hoses to extract the water.

Flooding can disrupt building operations, threaten occupant safety, and cause significant damage to commercial properties and critical building systems. Property owners and managers should have evacuation procedures in place, identify safe areas for occupants when evacuation is not possible, and take proactive steps to reduce water intrusion and protect equipment. Preparing before a flood event by relocating vulnerable contents, protecting entry points, and staging pumps or other response equipment can help minimize business interruption and support a faster recovery.

Ensure evacuation procedures are in place, and all occupants are aware of how to safely exit the building.

Determine a muster location within the building to safely await assistance when evacuation is not possible.

Limit damage to your building by:
- Relocating building contents to floor levels that are above the anticipated flood levels.
- De-energize electrical equipment serving portions of the building that may become flooded.
- Protect points of entry with sandbags or other methods of limiting water intrusion.
- Prepare pumps and hoses to extract water from the building.
Develop, maintain, update, and utilize a preparedness checklist.

Satellite view. Hurricane Florence over the Atlantics close to t

Hurricanes

Most buildings and facilities along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast have been designed to resist the effects of high wind damage sustained during hurricanes and coastal storm surges. Building codes require that glazing and garage doors are impact resistant or are provided with impact resistant coverings in wind-borne debris areas and that the roof structures are continuously tied into the foundation to limit uplift. These provisions prevent the most vulnerable portions of the building from being compromised by strong winds and water intrusion which can significantly impact the ability of the building to be utilized after a storm.

Hurricanes present a range of risks for commercial real estate, including high winds, wind-borne debris, flooding, utility disruption, and damage to building envelopes. CRE professionals should evaluate the condition of glazing, doors, roofs, utilities, landscaping, and other vulnerable components well before storm season. By securing exterior elements, protecting important documents and systems, and maintaining an up-to-date preparedness checklist, building teams can reduce damage, protect tenants, and improve post-storm continuity.

Ensure glazing and garage doors are impact resistant or include coverings in wind-borne debris areas.
Install shutters or plywood to protect windows and doors from wind-borne debris.
Remove branches and trees adjacent to your building that could cause significant damage if they were to impact your building.
Sandbag any area that may be subject to flooding.
Anchor and brace any large furniture to wall studs.
Secure all utilities and, if possible, move them to locations where they are less likely to sustain water damage.
Protect important documents and information.
Develop, maintain, update, and utilize a preparedness checklist.

Waffle House Tracker

The Waffle House Tracker is a simple system used by organizations including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to quickly assess the severity of disasters and how to target their response efforts.

The tracker uses a color-coding system to identify which Waffle Houses are fully open (green), operating on a limited menu and/or using a generator (yellow), or closed (red).

Waffle House serves as a good metric because of its 24-hour, 365-day-a-year operation, and the restaurants typically reopen quickly following storms.

While the tracker is not an officially sanctioned FEMA tool, it does offer a reliable, rapid benchmark for when and where to send emergency response teams.

Next time you are in the face of an emergency or a natural disaster, consider using the Waffle House Tracker to determine where to evacuate, offer assistance, or get breakfast.

Wildfires

Building owners in areas most susceptible to wildfires should make sure there is adequate and unimpeded access to their properties for the fire department in the areas around and leading to their buildings. Regulations require that wall assemblies and roof coverings meet certain fire-resistance ratings and/or use-only, ignition-resistant materials. Buildings should be provided with ample defensible space surrounding the structure clear of accumulated debris, such as leaves, yard waste, and brush. Regulations also may include having an adequate supply of onsite water—especially for buildings that are located in areas that are not serviced by a municipal water supply.

Wildfires can pose serious threats to commercial properties, particularly in areas with dry conditions, nearby vegetation, or limited access to water. Building owners and managers should assess fire department access, maintain defensible space around structures, and review whether exterior materials and roof assemblies provide appropriate fire resistance. Proactive planning, including debris removal, water supply considerations, and routine preparedness reviews, can strengthen a property’s resilience and help protect occupants, assets, and operations.

Make sure there is adequate and unimpeded access to your property for the fire department in and around your buildings.
Check if your wall assemblies and roof coverings meet certain fire-resistance ratings and/or use-only, ignition-resistant materials.
Provide ample defensive space surrounding the structure clear of debris including leaves, yard waste, and brush.
Obtain an ample supply of onsite water, particularly if your building is not serviced by a municipal water supply.
Develop, maintain, update, and utilize a preparedness checklist.

Other Matters Affecting Commercial Real Estate

Active Shooter

Active shooter incidents are high-impact events that require commercial real estate teams to prepare through thoughtful security planning and clear emergency procedures. Building owners and managers should conduct facility security assessments, identify sensitive or critical areas, and ensure access control, surveillance, signage, and communication protocols are aligned. Regular review of vulnerabilities and preparedness procedures can help your building teams support occupant safety and coordinate more effectively during an emergency.

Stay Prepared

Conduct a facility of organizational security assessment to identify threats and vulnerabilities.
Identify sensitive or critical areas that require special access controls.
Establish a surveillance plan to complement perimeter controls.
Post signage relating to emergency entry and exit points, first-aid stations, and shelter locations.
Review files of recently terminated employees to determine whether they pose a threat and ensure their building access is turned off.
Develop, maintain, update, and utilize a preparedness checklist.

Vehicle Ramming

Vehicle ramming threats can create significant risks at commercial properties, especially near entrances, pedestrian areas, loading zones, parking facilities, or large gatherings. CRE professionals should evaluate traffic patterns, site access points, and areas where vehicles could pose a risk to occupants or visitors. Strategies such as credentialing, vehicle monitoring, and event-specific assessments to reduce vehicle speed can help improve site security and protect people on the property.

Stay Prepared

Review files of recently terminated employees to determine whether they pose a threat and ensure their property access is turned off.
Evaluate traffic patterns near the property and implement strategies to reduce vehicle speed and improve pedestrian safety.
Conduct assessments before events that identify vulnerabilities.
Devise credential systems that indicate access and purpose of activity on the property.
Monitor all vehicles approaching an entrance or gathering for signs of suspicious or life-threatening behavior.
Develop, maintain, update, and utilize a preparedness checklist.

Protests

Protests and demonstrations near commercial properties can affect building access, tenant communications, security operations, and coordination with public agencies. Property teams should understand where private property ends and public space begins, establish lockdown and access procedures, and identify safe routes for tenants and visitors. Maintaining communication with law enforcement, security personnel, and tenants can help building owners and managers respond appropriately while supporting safety and continuity of operations.

Stay Prepared

Set emergency lockdown procedures including identifying exits for tenants away from demonstrations.
Secure your perimeter with security officers and video surveillance cameras on all doors.
Determine exactly where your property lines end. Demonstrators are permitted on public property.
Establish regular communications with law enforcement.
Ensure you have a fast, direct line of communication with your tenants.
Develop, maintain, update, and utilize a preparedness checklist.

Cyber Threats

Cyber threats are an increasingly important preparedness issue for commercial real estate as building systems, tenant services, access controls, and operational platforms become more connected. Property owners and managers should understand their cyber exposures, assign responsibilities across teams and vendors, and incorporate cybersecurity into broader emergency preparedness planning. Regular risk assessments, training, and evaluation of protective measures can help reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen operational resilience across the property.

Stay Prepared

Understand where and how you are exposed.
Align your assets and operations in a single plan to identify who is responsible for what, where, when, and how.
Conduct regular risk assessments to identify cybersecurity risks that live outside your current tolerances.
Perform cost-benefits analysis of measures to bolster your cyber defenses.
Encourage or require your tenants and personnel to complete regular trainings on how to prevent and avoid cyber threats.
Develop, maintain, update, and utilize a preparedness checklist.

Security And Emergency Preparedness

CRE Industry Preparedness Resources

BOMA's Civil Unrest Guide

BOMA's Emergency Preparedness Guidebook

Lessons Learned in 2025 and What to Prepare for in 2026

Federal Preparedness Resources

Natural Disasters Affecting Commercial Real Estate

Floods

Read More

Hurricanes

Read More

Waffle House Tracker

Wildfires

Read More

Other Matters Affecting Commercial Real Estate

Active Shooter

Stay Prepared

Vehicle Ramming

Stay Prepared

Protests

Stay Prepared

Cyber Threats

Stay Prepared

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