Besides clean, comfortable, and secure environments, guests assume that their hotel stays will be non-incidental. Although rare, hotels are not immune to unexpected occurrences such as bomb threats, fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, medical emergencies, and theft. That’s why security teams and first responders need thorough emergency planning and preparation to expedite response times and ensure the best outcomes.
Security technology is vital to hotel properties for emergency response information and investigations. Locked doors are barriers to swift emergency response times. When the keys are missing and unavailable, response times by police, fire, and rescue teams are delayed even further. Electronic key control systems provide intelligent solutions during emergency events and expedite response times.
Use these seven tips to improve hotel emergency response times to ensure that planning and preparation are in place for key control before the next emergency occurs:
- Procure a robust key control security system: Review capabilities, features, and benefits that improve workflow and business operations. Include a set of essential keys for emergency responders.
- Define key control emergency response policies and procedures: Ensure that a plan is in place with local emergency response teams and confirm with response personnel where their set(s) of keys are located. Regularly conduct drills with staff.
- Appoint head key control adm