CALLING ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ IS NEVER A FITNESS CLUB OPTION ~ A QUICK GUIDE WHEN SELECTING AN EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

Health and fitness clubs across America come in all shapes and sizes. Yet today, there is one emerging business challenge that is common to all club owners, operators, and membership directors. When the Insurance Carrier requests your facility provide an Emergency and Medical Alert System as a key part of your 24/7 Member Safety & Risk Management Plan. Now, with no provider recommendations offered for panic alert buttons for clubs and to comply, the immediate challenge is WHO DO YOU CALL? 

As business consumers, club operators need access to this information quickly and in a manner that is informative and easy to understand. This in-depth series of resource articles is meant to unlock the mysteries and misconceptions of how these emergency alert systems, wearable mobile devices, and related monitoring and dispatch center services work for the U.S. Sports Club Industry.  

Selecting an Emergency and Medical Alert System that is a perfect match for your facility has never been more critical to your club’s overall success: membership growth and retention, operating hours, safety, and yes – your ultimate survival (against the competition).

Here are the TOP FOUR ISSUES that will guarantee you will make the right system choice for you, your valued members and staff, and of course, your Insurance Carrier:

PHYSICAL CLUB ENVIRONMENT.

• Single story or multiple floors

• Separate or connected buildings

• Indoor and/or outdoor facilities

• Interior walls and columns; open space versus studio layout

• Total square footage (active space)  

CLUB OPERATIONS. 

• Operating hours: 24/7; unsupervised hours versus supervised hours; daytime/evening; member activity per time shifts

• High-risk environment: active floor plan layout; powered machines versus group X

• Male to female member ratio; members under age 18; seniors; disability

• Facility access: key card or keyless entry; video security, lock box; access doors

EMERGENCY and MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM TYPE:

• Landline and/or cellular (connection) systems

• Mobile, wearable devices and battery charges

• Signal ranges for base station console and wearable panic buttons

• 2-way communication capabilities

• Member adoption and use-of-use

MONITORING & DISPATCH CENTER (‘CENTRAL STATION’). 

• Nationwide monitoring coverage 24/7/365

• Industry certified EMS/EMT live operators (response and dispatch)

• Redundant technologies and multiple center locations (i.e. east/west)

• Updated databases for local responder agencies (EMT, police and fire)

• Customized protocols and contact notifications post-dispatch

• Daily ‘active status’ monitoring of system and devices

INVESTMENT/BUDGET.

• Affordable rates; Lease Plan options (Annual, Quarterly, Monthly)

• ‘Lifetime Price Lock’ guarantee for same system

• Product warranty; free replacement policy, return policy

• No ‘Hidden Fees’; free system activation

• All Lease plans include products and 34/7 monitoring center services

• 24/7 Tech and Client Support access

At Fitness Club Alert Systems, we strongly advise when contacting Providers for the first time, to use this 5-Point Quick Guide when assessing their products and services with a provider representative.

In our next related article in this series, we will articulate the importance of choosing the best emergency and medical alert system PROVIDER that will meet and exceed the safety needs of your club and insurance carrier. 

Meanwhile, to learn more please visit us at Fitness Club Alert Systems.com and/or by calling us at (475) 257-1243. We’re always here to help.