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Plan to Evacuate – A wide variety of emergencies may cause an evacuation. In some instances you may have a day or two to prepare.

Plan to Evacuate – A wide variety of emergencies may cause an evacuation. In some instances you may have a day or two to prepare.

  • Posted: May 12, 2019
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Evacuation

Plan to Evacuate

A wide variety of emergencies may cause an evacuation. In some instances you may have a day or two to prepare, while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning ahead is vital to ensuring that you can evacuate quickly and safely, no matter what the circumstances.

 

Before an Evacuation

  • Learn the types of disasters that are likely in your community and the local emergency, evacuation, and shelter plans for each specific disaster.
  • Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate.
    • Identify several places you could go in an emergency such as a friend’s home in another town or a motel. Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options during an emergency.
    • If needed, identify a place to stay that will accept pets. Most public shelters allow only service animals.
    • Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
    • Always follow the instructions of local officials and remember that your evacuation route may be on foot depending on the type of disaster.
  • Develop a family/household communication and re-unification plan so that you can maintain contact and take the best actions for each of you and re-unite if you are separated.
  • Assemble supplies that are ready for evacuation, both a “go-bag” you can carry when you evacuate on foot or public transportation and supplies for traveling by longer distances if you have a personal vehicle.
  • If you have a car:
    • Keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case of an unexpected need to evacuate. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.
    • Make sure you have a portable emergency kit in the car.
  • If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if needed. Make arrangements with family, friends or your local government.

 

During an Evacuation

  • A list of open shelters can be found during an active disaster in your local area by downloading the FEMA app
  • Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.
  • Take your emergency supply kit.
  • Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
  • Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency now.
  • If time allows:
    • Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.
    • Secure your home by closing and locking doors and windows.
    • Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
    • Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
    • Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a hat.
    • Check with neighbors who may need a ride.
  • Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked.
  • Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.

 

After an Evacuation

If you evacuated for the storm, check with local officials both where you’re staying and back home before you travel.

  • Residents returning to disaster-affected areas after significant events should expect and prepare for disruptions to daily activities, and remember that returning home before storm debris is cleared is dangerous.
  • Let friends and family know before you leave and when you arrive.
  • Charge devices and consider getting back-up batteries in case power-outages continue.
  • Fill up your gas tank and consider downloading a fuel app to check for outages along your route.
  • Bring supplies such as water and non-perishable food for the car ride.
  • Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage.
  • Stay away and report them immediately to your power or utility company.
  • Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home’s electrical system.

 

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Does your Family and your Communities have a Plan?

Does your Family and your Communities have a Plan?

  • Posted: May 12, 2019
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Make A Plan – Plan Ahead for Disasters

https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app

 

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States.  As we are approaching Hurricane Season we want you to be safe!

Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Check out the related links to learn what to do before, during and after each type of emergency.

 

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area.  Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

 

 

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.

  1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
  2. What is my shelter plan?
  3. What is my evacuation route?
  4. What is my family/household communication plan?

 

Step 2:  Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.  Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

  • Different ages of members within your household
  • Responsibilities for assisting others
  • Locations frequented
  • Dietary needs
  • Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
  • Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
  • Languages spoken
  • Cultural and religious considerations
  • Pets or service animals
  • Households with school-aged children

 

Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan

Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to create your own.

 

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

Associated Content

 

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Kaye Bender Rembaum, with offices in Pompano Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, has opened an office in Tampa and named Shawn Brown, Esq. as Managing Attorney.

Kaye Bender Rembaum, with offices in Pompano Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, has opened an office in Tampa and named Shawn Brown, Esq. as Managing Attorney.

  • Posted: May 10, 2019
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Community Association Law Firm Kaye Bender Rembaum

Opens Third Office in Florida

Shawn Brown, Esq. joins Firm as Managing Attorney of new Tampa office

 

SOUTH FLORIDA – Leading Florida association law firm Kaye Bender Rembaum, with offices in Pompano Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, has opened an office in Tampa and named Shawn Brown, Esq. as Managing Attorney.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to expand our footprint on the west coast,” said Robert Kaye, Esq., managing Firm member of Kaye Bender Rembaum. “Shawn shares our commitment for delivering exceptional service to our clients. His knowledge and experience will be an asset as we continue to build our presence in the Tampa market.”

Prior to joining Kaye Bender Rembaum, Brown was a partner in the law firm of Frazier & Brown and the law firm of Redding & Brown, both in Tampa.

Board Certified in Condominium and Planned Development Law by The Florida Bar, Brown is an active member of the Condominium and Planned Development Committee where he serves as chair of the Safe Harbor Subcommittee, is a member of the legislative review group and is tasked with reviewing and providing comments and edits to the legislation affecting community associations each legislative session. He also served as a member of the Auxiliary Committee, reviewing and editing different chapters in the 4th Edition of the Florida Condominium and Community Association Law published by The Florida Bar. Brown also sits on the Real Property Litigation Committee, where he is chair of the Judicial Litigation Support and Education Subcommittee, and the Problem Studies Committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar.

“I am thrilled to join such a well-respected Firm with a proven track record of success in community association law,” said Brown. “I look forward to this opportunity and

growing our presence here with existing and new clients.”

Brown’s focus has been exclusively on the practice of all aspects of community association law and regularly practicing before the trial and appellate levels of state and federal courts, including arguing before the Florida Supreme Court and administrative agencies such as the Florida Division of Condominiums. He has extensive experience in all aspects of community association law and real estate law, representing condominium and homeowner associations and handling issues ranging from collection of assessments and foreclosures to covenant enforcement and litigation. He is routinely invited to provide both association boards of directors and community association managers with regular legislative and case law updates.

Brown also represents individuals in real estate transactions and litigation, devoting his practice to working with clients on a broad range of legal issues that community associations, property owners and buyers and sellers of real estate face on a regular basis.

A graduate of Stetson University and Stetson University College of Law, Brown was a recipient of the U.S. Senator Max Cleland scholarship and served as an intern to United States Senator Connie Mack in his Washington D.C. office while attending American University. He is a resident of Tampa.

The new Kaye Bender Rembaum office is located at 1211 N. Westshore Boulevard in Tampa.

Kaye Bender Rembaum is a full-service commercial law firm concentrating on the representation of more than 1,000 community associations throughout Florida. With offices in Broward, Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties, the Firm was recently presented with the 2019 Readers’ Choice Award for Legal Services by the Florida Community Association Journal, an award they’ve received annually since 2014. For more information, visit www.KBRLegal.com, call 954-928-0680 and follow the Firm on www.facebook.com/KayeBenderRembaum.

Members of SFPMA.Com – State of Florida Property Management Association  Pompano Beach Office,  Palm Beach Office,

EmmaJean Livingston | Pierson Grant PR

6451 North Federal Highway, Suite 1200 | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
T: 954.776.1999, ext. 242 | E: elivingston@piersongrant.com

 

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Again it was asked; Why our our Community need a Website? and How will it Help us?

Again it was asked; Why our our Community need a Website? and How will it Help us?

  • Posted: May 04, 2019
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Website Benefits

This question was asked of us from an association that had under 150 owner units, We informed them of some benefits that will help them with communication going forward for all owners.

  • Post meeting minutes securely online for all residents & Board review

    Every resident & Board member will always be at every meeting when you post the minutes online in a secure HOA website. Time, convenience, and information are the keys to a happy and informed neighborhood. With a Board only area as well as a place for general meeting minutes, you’ll always get the right information to the right person, group, or committee in a way that’s secure and convenient for everyone.

  • Eliminate their newsletter or Mailing, start using email bulletins

    The price of postage stamps has risen every year for over a decade, and the price of envelopes and mailers is always an unwelcoming addition to budgets of any size. Throw in the cost of gas to drive around the neighborhood placing it in boxes, or using snail mail to get out sometimes time sensitive information and before you know it, you’ve spent money, lost time, and everyone still isn’t informed. Email bulletins are quick, simple, and cost free to send 24 hours a day to residents who need to be in the know. Easily create and Email a monthly newsletter with a beautiful design, or send out individual announcements through your website.

 

 

  • Spend less time in Board/Committee meetings using Task manager

    Enjoy 24 hour access to a feature that allows Board/Committee members to vote on specific tasks, add notes or questions, and approve or deny processes online…at their convenience. How many times are communities held up on projects and important decisions because someone missed a meeting or is not in the loop? An AtHomeNet website can even facilitate live Board Only Chats and virtual meetings if need be; but the Task Manager feature can be a HOA Board’s best friend.

  • Handle financial needs with full TOPS Accounting Integration

    View, update, and handle resident accounts with the only authorized, fully supported, software integration with the nations leading Accounting software firm, TOPS. AtHomeNet websites are the only professional websites for HOAs that offer this two way integration. A major time and money saver.

  • Avoid merchant fees with FREE online dues payment

    Dodge the unwelcomed hassle that comes with paying a seemingly endless array of “processing fees” charged by any number of companies to handle your residents’ dues payments. Setting up online payments for your community is FREE, and an unprecedented convenience that once your residents have, they won’t want to live without.

  • Increase rules compliance and ARC forms management & processing

    Limited access to information can cause confusion, infractions, and dissention among residents. These situations not only are troubling for the resident, but also for the Board members who have to spend hours on the phone, or time on personal visits and sometimes costly legal battles. ARC violations are mostly caused by procedural issues or lack of resident information. Handle ARC committee request, post rules and forms, and resolve questions before they become issues using your website.

  • Get the word out immediately about activities & events

    Email bulletins, Announcements, & Events Calendar are three features that come standard with your website. As soon as a resident logs in, they can view “What’s New” since the last time they logged in. Keeping your residents in the loop no longer takes the hours of time going door to door, posting fliers, making phone calls. Send out new information to thousands of residents in minutes through your website’s dynamic informative features set.

 

 

  • Allow residents to reserve amenities 24 hours a day online

    The ability to pick a facility such as a tennis court, a clubhouse, or the golf course…see instantly what times are available, and then sign out a time, or send a request for approval to reserve a time, can be a massive time saver and convenience for every community. The Reservations feature can be tailored to list the available hours for a specific resource. This exciting feature streamlines an amenity reservations process that normally could take forever to coordinate successfully; handling it in minutes, 24 hours a day in a secure online environment.

  • Handle documents purchasing and downloads securely anytime

    Residents can access needed business, real estate, and other documents through your website and get a hold of them quickly and without the hassle of going through a 3rd party. Security is never a concern, as your website has a public and private side, so only those who you grant access to, get access to certain areas, information, and privileges.

  • Track, approve, deny, debate Board tasks through the website

    Your Board only area has a lot of great functionality. Your Board members can enjoy using the Task Manager to handle specific tasks on their schedule. Live Chat can bring to the forefront issues that need to be resolved or debated instantly in a secure venue, or facilitate virtual Board meetings. Board Only Message Board can facilitate communication and debate amongst the Board in a forum where everyone can follow an issue and everyone’s input from start to finish. A Board the communicates freely and easily, is a Board that gets things done!

  • Generate Revenue selling classified ads and banner ads

    You set the prices, you determine the website area, you collect the revenue. Local businesses and private advertisers are always looking for more exposure and to reach new customers. Your community website is a daily gathering place for hundreds to thousands of internal and external visitors and with unlimited page creation, your website can be as profitable as you want it to be.

  • Eliminate expensive costs of printing community directories

    A trip to Kinkos Fedex or for a college student at term paper time is a necessity! A trip to Kinkos or Fedex for an HOA is an unnecessary and costly inconvenience. Once your resident directory is printed, if someone leaves, someone moves in, or anyone changes their number, the directory has to be updated with possibly even more printing costs. Online resident directories let your residents share as much or as little about themselves and their contact information as they please…and updating them takes seconds of your valuable time.

  • Replace printed fliers via 24 hr a day online announcements

    If you only counted parties, socials, holiday events, and meetings, you would still spend hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars and hours of time designing eye catching fliers to post on overcrowded bulletin boards, or resident’s doors or mailboxes. Between the wind, the trashcan, and the guy who pulls it down and takes it home so he doesn’t forget, sadly many of these fliers will never be greeted by the eyes they are intended to catch. Online Announcements are yet another quick and easy solution that gets immediate results, doesn’t cost a nickel, and is totally immune to wind, rain, and snatchers.

  • Save money by listing homes for sale & other sale items FREE

    Professional listings in real estate magazines can cost hundreds of dollars, some even charging outrageous fees in a per home basis. Otherwise your homes for sale and other items such as garage sales, babysitting services, etc. are free to get lost in a sea of craigslist ads that get thousands more every day. Your Homes for Sale and Classifieds areas are dedicated to showcasing your communities’ best to those in the community, and those outside the community. Most importantly, it’s another great feature that is standard in your website and won’t cost your Association a penny regardless of how much information is listed.

  • Coordinate volunteer efforts without wasting $$$ on promotion

    Most non-profit organizations spend valuable dollars that could go to their cause just on promotion, advertising, and volunteer coordination. Your Association need not be a victim of this. Easily disseminate information, coordinate live chats securely in the website, and get the word out about event times, donations, and other charitable acts from the convenience of your laptop.

  • Post CCRS, HOA Rules, & other docs for secure 24 hr review

    Residents, Board Members, and Committee members can review all of your community’s important documents whenever they need to. Set security levels so you can decide exactly who can see what, so unwanted eyes on your sensitive documents will never be an issue. Another major time and hassle saver.

 

 

  • Instantly gauge community feelings on critical issues with Surveys

    Not sure if everyone is on board with the new procedure to replace gate cards? Perhaps you want to know if there is a holiday party at the clubhouse this year, will there even be enough residents still here to justify the costs? Using the “Surveys” feature to create and send a survey you can customize to ask exactly what you want is the best way to find out how everyone feels about any given topic or issue. Residents can only vote once, and they can answer via multiple choice or free form?.it’s totally up to you. Create a survey in minutes, and let your website do the work to tally the results so you can make the best decisions.

  • Send email bulletins & announcements on time sensitive issues

    Email Bulletins are a quick way to alert everyone in the community about an issue without having to hold any special meetings or send out an individual email to hundreds of residents. We provide new designs and themes you can choose from every month for free, which allows us to offer an outstanding catalogue of pre-designed email bulletins for your unlimited use. You can also design your own in no time at all. Using Announcements and Email bulletins in tandem means that your residents will never be in the dark about important community issues.

  • Track, approve, deny, debate Board tasks through the website

    Your Board only area has a lot of great functionality. Your Board members can enjoy using the Task Manager to handle specific tasks on their schedule. Live Chat can bring to the forefront issues that need to be resolved or debated instantly in a secure venue, or facilitate virtual Board meetings. Board Only Message Board can facilitate communication and debate amongst the Board in a forum where everyone can follow an issue and everyone’s input from start to finish. A Board the communicates freely and easily, is a Board that gets things done!

  • Cut down on calls, emails, and letters with online FAQ section

    Residents are going to have questions, lots of questions…but you community does not have the time or resources available to place a live operator on a toll free hotline 24 hours a day. Many communities share a lot of the same issues, resources, and operating procedures; so it becomes quickly obvious that questions like ‘Where can I find a copy of the CCRs” or “What is the procedure for requesting Architectural changes on my property” will be asked repeatedly. The FAQ section can be as long or as short as you want it, and updating it can be done in a matter of minutes. The more you cut down on time spent answering the same questions from different people, the more time you can spend handling other important community business.

 

 

  • Post cost free vendor job bids in your website at your leisure

    When jobs need to be completed in your community, compile them all in one easy to find 24 hour accessible online location; making it easy for those willing and able to do the work to find you, and avoiding paying for ads on various websites, newspapers, and employment services.

If you are searching for a website design company search our directory, we have the top companies to help your condo and hoa. 

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The Florida Rising Magazine for May is Published.

The Florida Rising Magazine for May is Published.

  • Posted: May 02, 2019
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The Florida Rising Magazine for May is Published.

For Florida’s Property Management Industry. Keep up to date with what is new, Events, Members of SFPMA

Managers in June we have a new redesigned Directory > Clients can find Property Managers in Florida with ease.

Get your company listed! find out more inthe May Edition.

Share this with your Friends: Direct Link  https://joom.ag/dxAa

 

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UPSTREAM GOES “HOLLYWOOD”!

UPSTREAM GOES “HOLLYWOOD”!

  • Posted: Apr 23, 2019
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Members in the News:

Upstream Network, the multi-family’s premier provider of broadband services, expanded its services this month to Hollywood Towers Condominium (Hollywood, Florida)

“This upscale building was very unhappy with the local service provider, and wanted something special for its residents,” explained Bryan Rader, President of Upstream. “And that’s what we gave them.”

Hugh Moore, Property Manager of Hollywood Towers described the experience. “Very well done. The technical team was experienced, friendly, and responsive, and the products are amazing.” He continued “the picture quality is a huge upgrade and so are the internet speeds. My residents are thrilled with their performance.”

Upstream Network continues to add buildings to its network in key markets. “Our audience really enjoys using our platform. We’ve added several thousand new units recently, and just started construction on another large community in Miami,” Rader explained.

“I would absolutely recommend Upstream,” Moore concluded. “I wish they were in the building I live in.” Upstream Network’s recent customer satisfaction ratings are consistent with the experience at Hollywood Towers, with over a 94% satisfied rating. “Our growth is directly tied to our ability to perform,” Rader stated. “And we are performing.”

For more information about Upstream Network View our Membership Page on the State of Florida Property Management Association‘s, or direct by Email at mmalecki@upstream.network

Bryan Rader
President
341-540-1114
brader@upstream.network

 

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We are passionate about bettering cities, housing communities and the safety of their residents!

We are passionate about bettering cities, housing communities and the safety of their residents!

  • Posted: Apr 15, 2019
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As a paving contractor, we don’t solely focus on our paving work.

At Atlantic Southern Paving and Sealcoating, we are passionate about bettering cities, housing communities and the safety of their residents! Contact us to evaluate your #HOA community’s paving needs at 954-691-0727 or head to PaveWithASP  We self-perform the entire state of Florida!

Atlantic Southern Paving & Sealcoating From idea or blueprint to finished surface, we offer all facets of new paving installation. Our crews have the technical expertise to perform these tasks to the standards set by local, state and federal requirements. This expertise allows us to pass inspections the first time so that your project can stay on schedule.

Atlantic Southern Paving & Sealcoating provides pavement maintenance & construction services to Florida for over 30 years. The solid foundation that Michael “Mickey” Curry started in 1992 employing the best people, using the best products and providing what the customer needs with a competitive pricing has enable Atlantic Southern to continue to thrive.

 

 

ATLANTIC SOUTHERN PAVING & SEALCOATING

Southeast FL  954-518-4315
Southwest FL  239-234-2155
Central FL  321-408-5010

Major Announcement! Atlantic Southern Paving and Sealcoating has officially opened a new Fort Myers location serving Collier and Lee Counties! Contact us today at 239-234-2155 to manage your parking lot and asphalt pavement needs!

Our New Location serving Central Florida Locations!  Central FL  321-408-5010

 

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Special Magazine Directory Advertising

Special Magazine Directory Advertising

  • Posted: Apr 11, 2019
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In every edition of the FLORIDA RISING MAGAZINE We have a Directory

We are adding a Directory for Property Managers and Management Companies! – Get your company listed on the Magazine Directory.

Contact us today, This Directory is for All Florida Companies – Get listed,  this is linked to your website and to a Page on our Website. Let Clients find you.

 

 

Your company can get listed in our publication that is sent out to the Property Management Industry in Florida!  Get your Company listed today!

A great way for you to be seen by readers each month. Our Publication is sent throughout Florida’s Management Industry, Management Companies, Board Members for the Condo and HOA Industry read the Florida Rising Magazine each month. This digital magazine is Interactive, What this means for you and your companies is:  All ads and Company Listings are linked to either your website or the membership page on our Website Directory.  We know readers want to learn more about companies or need to contact you they will be able by clicking on your listing ads.

We publish the Magazine each month with a Management Magazine Directory and have been asked can our company get listed on This? the answer is YES, Many Management Companies and Professionals want to let the industry know who they are and what company they are working for in the hopes when their services are needed you can contact them. With over 100,000 Eyes reading the publication monthly for a small yearly fee your company can get listed and sent out to readers.

 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PRICING – GET YOUR COMPANY LISTED IN THE MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES DIRECTORY

 

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In House or Contract Security, That is the Question

In House or Contract Security, That is the Question

  • Posted: Apr 07, 2019
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In House or Contract Security- That is the Question

 

Mike the right decision with your security company

Do the terms FLSA, ACA, HIPPA, E-Verify or I-9 scare you? They should if you have in-house security, maintenance or housekeeping staff. These terms are just some of the federally mandated employment laws that HOA’s, condo boards and property managers must contend with. If you are not fully compliant with any of these it can cost you and your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, penalties and yes, even back wages.

What can you do to eliminate these HR compliance headaches and ensure the safety and security of your business, building or property in the real world?
Outsourcing may provide the solutions you’re looking for.

Outsourcing can provide a viable and affordable solution for many businesses, condominiums, planned communities, office and professional complexes. The security provider you choose will take on the costs
and hassles of hiring, scheduling, HR administration, insurance, liability, training and outfitting employees.

If you’re looking for trained security officers, you’ll find that hiring your own staff can be extremely expensive. The last thing you want when it comes to security is less-than-qualified workers. A reputable security provider will have the money and resources to properly recruit and hire highly qualified officers. In other words, outsourcing can give you access to security resources of a caliber unavailable to you on your own, and save you money in the process.

Condo associations and HOA’s may not have the resources to properly vet security experts in their employ. The officers who fill these crucial positions, must be stable, reliable, trustworthy, and well-trained. A failure on any level could spell disaster.

 

 

By outsourcing or on-boarding your current in house staff to a firm that makes security their business, you can rest easier knowing that anyone they send your way has been properly vetted, trained, and held to the highest standards. After all, the security provider that hired them has a reputation to uphold, just as you do.

HR Costs/Bill Rate

According to the US Department of Labor legally required benefits such as social security, workers compensation insurance, unemployment and Medicare costs can add an additional 14.5% to your payroll costs.
If you provide other benefits such as health & life insurance, 401K contributions, and/or paid leave time those costs can add an additional 24% to your payroll and operating expenses.

What does this mean to you?

Let’s say your annual in-house security payroll is $75,000 per year. Factoring in the mandated benefits and your actual payroll costs leap to $85,875, that’s over a $10,000 increase. If you offer benefits your actual costs skyrocket to over $105,000. That’s $35,000 additional dollars you’re spending on payroll without any additional personnel or job tasks being performed.

Insurance Savings

You more than likely currently have general liability insurance coverage that protects you and any governing board from losses resulting in accidents or injuries that occur on the property. Risk is the single biggest factor in determining how much coverage costs. No one anticipates accidents or mistakes. The rising cost of general liability insurance is another area of concern for managers, board members and residents.

If you’ve had accidents or faced lawsuits in the past then expect to pay more.

A reputable security contractor will carry sufficient liability and workers compensation insurance which will provide you indemnification from losses and employee injuries and illness, thereby reducing your overall insurance costs and risk factors.

Better Training, Oversight and Supervision

As a board member or property manager how much time out of your day do you have to check on and provide oversight to your security personnel? Do you even know what to look for or what questions to
ask?

Any reputable and reliable third-party security provider should provide comprehensive supervisory and managerial oversight to its guards including random and periodic unannounced inspections of the site and the personnel assigned there.

Outside of showing your in-house team where to put packages, which contractors are allowed access and what the pool hours are, what training has your team received. Does your team have the expertise or resources to provide that training? A professional security company does.

At a minimum any professional security officer should be trained in emergency first aid, CPR and fire suppression.

“But we love our in-house staff and don’t want to lose them!” is something we hear very often when talking to property managers, condo board members and HOA presidents about on-boarding in-house staff. In a properly structured transition you retain your current staff. Pay rates and benefits remain unchanged as does seniority ranking.

As your operation grows, so too will your needs where support is concerned. You may acquire additional facilities that require additional physical security. Either way, flexible security solutions that easily adapt to the changing needs of your business or property are a must.
All of these factors are where outsourcing can really ease the transition process as your needs change, while you grow and expand. You have plenty on your plate already without having to worry about increasing on-site security teams. A reputable and reliable third-party service provider can handle these concerns for you.

 

 

Choosing the Right Provider

The south Florida contract security market is one of the most competitive in the nation. There are currently over 1,200 licensed security agencies in Broward and Miami-Dade counties alone.

These agencies range from huge national companies to one or two man agencies working out of someone’s home garage or spare bedroom. So choosing the right security provider is crucial.

When evaluating security firms you need to ask the following questions.

  1. Does the agency provide general liability insurance and do they indemnify you in the event of a
    loss from any incident or accident caused by any negligent, grossly negligent, willful act or
    omission or intentional act, of their guard?

  2. Are their guards actual employees of the company or are they paying them as sub-contractors?
    Some less than reputable security providers will do this to avoid the high costs of workers
    compensation insurance, payroll taxes and social security contributions.

  3. How responsive is their management team to problems, issues or concerns of yours?

  4. Do they utilize the latest technology to provide you officer accountability and transparency?

  5. Do they have an actual brick and mortar corporate presence or footprint?

  6. Do their supervisors or manager conduct periodic unannounced inspections of the sites and staff?

  7. What training have your guards had? First Aide, CPR, Fire Suppression?

  8. Do they conduct random drug tests of their employees?

 

Way back in the fifteenth century English satirist Gabriel Bell recognized that, “You get what you pay for;” which Webster defines as meaning “a thing that can be bought for a very low price probably isn’t very good”, and that’s especially true when evaluating security companies.
Any security provider that quotes you a bargain basement bill rate in the low teens ($14 per hour or less) is probably NOT going to provide suitable answers to these questions nor will they provide you the level
of service and support you need or want. They’re going to be using sub-contractors or paying their employees minimum wage to stay profitable. What caliber of officer are they delivering at that pay rate?

 

The Trident Ground Protection Difference

Dependability, discipline and dedication to the client are the hallmarks of being a member of the Trident Ground Protection team.

The principles of Trident Ground Protection have over 80 years of military, law enforcement, private security and special ops experience in both field, command and executive level positions. We pride ourselves in helping our clients – large or small. We have the expertise, knowledge and ability to secure and protect your property, business or event. Trident Ground Protection was established with one  goal in mind, to provide our clients with more than simply a security guard. Our team consists exclusively of true security professionals.

Trident Ground Protection actively recruits and hires our military veterans and former or retired law enforcement personnel. By hiring this caliber of employee, we provide our clients with a more disciplined, dedicated and focused security officer.

Our management and field staff are solely dedicated to providing you a level of service, awareness and discipline far above that of any other security provider. A member of our corporate management team is available to you 24/7 by way of either our corporate headquarters in located Oakland Park or after hours from our Global Security Operations Center located in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

When you contract your security functions with Trident Ground Protection we assume the liability for any incident or accident caused by any negligent, grossly negligent, willful act or omission or intentional act, of one of our team members up to one million dollars per occurrence. Our officers are employees of our company, not sub-contractors and are fully covered under our workers compensation insurance coverage.

As part of our commitment to provide the highest level of professional security services, every new client receives a vulnerability analysis, comprehensive threat assessment and crime statistics report for their site, building or property. We then use the results as the basis for designing a comprehensive and cost effective security program and post orders specific to your needs and desires.

We work with and build relationships with your local law enforcement agency to maximize leveraged law enforcement services g=for your property. Technology within the security industry has greatly advanced from the days of the old Detex Watch Clock Stations. © Trident Ground Protection deploys the latest and most advanced web-based applications for officer accountability and activity. As part of our commitment to transparency the systems allows you the client and TGP management to see in real time an officer’s location and review their current and past activity.

The system can also be configured to send instant e-mail alerts regarding incidents occurring at your property.

Personnel management has also accomplished via a web-based portal which only allows an officer to “clock in” once he or she is on site. It also can be set up to provide you, the client with e-mail notifications about late employees or personnel and scheduling changes. So whether your looking to develop a comprehensive security program, out-source your in-house security program or just in the market for professional and dedicated security services, you can be assured that Trident Ground Protection is the best solution.

We’re committed to providing you with top notch local support and knowledge. We approach every client with a focus on support, integrity, advocacy, and understanding.

Find out more about Trident Ground Protection

 

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Lake Management: Don’t Feed the Wildlife!

Lake Management: Don’t Feed the Wildlife!

  • Posted: Mar 26, 2019
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Lake Management: Don’t Feed the Wildlife!

by: SOLitude Lake Management   |   Mar 26, 2019

Written by Industry Expert Gavin Ferris, Ecologist

A few years back in the spring, residents of South Hampton, NH found six dead deer in a suburban lot. Several biologists and a game warden then investigated the site and found six more. The deer had not been shot or killed by predators, nor had they starved or died of exposure. They had been fed to death. With their stomachs and digestive systems used to their winter diet of woody browse, a sudden bounty of corn from a well-meaning human can be a shock to the system, in this case resulting in fatal enterotoxemia.

This example is dramatic, perhaps even extreme, but it illustrates the potential consequences of feeding wildlife. Certainly, not every animal that gets fed by a human will inevitably suffer a gruesome and untimely death. All the same, it usually isn’t good for the wildlife, it might not be good for the aquatic environment or its human inhabitants, and in the vicinity of a lake or pond it can be extremely bad for the water. It is perfectly natural, even admirable, for people to want to help the wildlife that they share their surroundings with. Unfortunately, there are several major consequences to feeding wildlife that make anything more than a backyard bird feeder quite unhealthy for all involved.

 

 

Don't Feed the Ducks - SOLitudeThe foods we provide to wildlife are not the foods they are adapted to eat. Corn, bread and other grain-based foods are high in carbohydrates, which few natural foods are. Wildlife that eat these foods may become unhealthy as a result of taking in too many carbohydrates in a short time, or it may interfere with their ability to process the rest of their more natural diet. Some aquatic animals, such as pond turtles, may become reliant on food provided by humans. As a result, they may stop eating aquatic plants and decaying matter, which can negatively affect the balance of the ecosystem.

The feeds provided by humans to wildlife also generally amount to junk food, and can cause excessive weight gain. This is particularly true of waterfowl in areas where bread feeding is popular. In addition to the direct effect on their health, this weight gain can inhibit migration, and affect their long-term fitness.

Access to feeding sites also alters animal behavior. Animals that are typically dispersed over a wide area in order to find food will instead congregate near the food source. This increased population density makes disease transmission more likely. It also goes against the natural territoriality present in many species, and the inevitable altercations may result in injuries or even death. Higher densities of animals also equates to higher densities of those animals’ parasites. In the case of deer this means ticks, including the deer ticks that transmit Lyme disease, and the dog ticks and lone star ticks that transmit a number of other pathogens.

The feeding of waterfowl, in particular, has an additional environmental impact, as the practice affects nutrient levels in lakes and ponds. Whether from bread that is missed by the ducks and geese being fed, or from their resulting droppings, feeding waterfowl can be a significant source of excess pond nutrients. As an undergraduate, I was involved in a study of Pymatuning Reservoir, a man-made lake located on the border of Pennsylvania and Ohio. We found that people feeding bread to the carp and waterfowl that congregate by the spillway was the largest single source of phosphorus going into the reservoir. Excess phosphorus is the leading cause of algae blooms and, ultimately, fish kills in freshwater ponds and lakes.

It is perfectly natural to want to help the wildlife that shares your environment, and I encourage you to do so. You can provide food for wildlife by planting native plantsthat support the food chain. You can provide habitat by leaving areas unmowed to provide cover, and by installing nest boxes and bat boxes. In short, the better your efforts to aid the wildlife in your community mimic the resources that animals would make use of under natural conditions, the more successful they will be.

https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/blog/lake-management-dont-feed-the-wildlife

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