Blogs > Consultants

• 5.18.2012

  A User’s Guide to the Intersection of Sustainability and Commerce

  Contributor: Tim Kraft, AIA, LEED AP
  
  You’ve likely heard one of the most recognized sustainable design definitions from Our Common Future, a report from the World Commission on Environment and Development: Sustainable design is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
  
  As design and construction professionals, a tremendous opportunity exists to take the lead in solving many of the world’s most pressing environmental problems, including climate change, energy, water ...

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  Tags: eco-friendly • architecture • design • construction • climate change • sustainability

• 5.10.2012

  Planning for Uninterrupted Patient Care

  Contributor: Laurel McGinley, PE
  
  I was playing “ambulance” with my four-year-old son the other day when he said, “Uh-oh, Mommy, the bridge to the hospital is broken.” He fired up the ambulance’s jet engines and was able to fly the patient to the hospital for treatment. This got me thinking about the hospitals near my house. If one became inaccessible for several days due to a natural or manmade disaster, incoming patients could be diverted to other facilities (that is, ... More >

  Tags: emergency management • disaster response • healthcare

• 5.04.2012

  When Natural Events become Natural Disasters

  
  Contributor: Ginni Melton, CFM
  
  When determining whether a natural event will be categorized as a disaster, emergency managers and responders need to know who and what is at risk. Jurisdictions often know where natural events, such as floods, may occur and sometimes have estimates of impact for certain frequency events, but they rarely know who is going to be impacted. Using social vulnerability assessments, emergency managers and first responders have access to important data to understand who is going to ... More >

  Tags: emergency management • disaster response • preparedness • social vulnerability

• 4.26.2012

  Timing Is Everything: Louisa County, VA—Earthquake Epicenter

  
  Contributor: Dave Maxwell, PE
  
  When the 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit the East Coast last August, the epicenter was near Louisa County, Virginia, about 45 minutes from our Richmond office. The earthquake had a severe impact on this rural county, damaging several buildings, including six schools. Two of the schools—Louisa County High School and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School—had to be closed immediately.
  
  Jumping into Action
  Working with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), county officials and school administrators jumped into action ... More >

  Tags: emergency management • customer service • disaster response

• 4.19.2012

  Unlocking the Mysteries of Climate Change and Vulnerability

  Contributor: John Henz, CCM
  
  Whether you rely on network, print, or electronic media for your news, headlines have been dominated by high impact weather events such as the late winter and spring tornado outbreaks, as well as one of our warmest winters on record. Inevitably, questions arise: Are these weather extremes caused by climate change and how can we plan our infrastructure for future weather impacts?
  
  Incorporating Climate Change Variables in Infrastructure Planning
  Energy, water, and transportation systems are in ... More >

  Tags: energy • transportation • infrastructure • water • climate change

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