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The Worst Case Scenario (WCS) By Dennis Evers There are multitudes of disaster scenarios for fires, floods, hazmat events, etc. However, it’s the inconceivable events or Worst Case Scenarios (WCS) that we must also prepare for. Hurricane Katrina revealed just how vulnerable we were and are as a country. The systemic breakdown in preparedness, communications, response and rescue resulted in an enormous catastrophe. The buck passing and inability of local, state and federal governments to mount a timely and effective response showed that when there is a Worst Case Scenario, you and your employees may be on your own for 72 hours or more. The benefits of preparing for a WCS far outweighs the time, energy and money spent formulating even a rudimentary plan. Could anyone have predicted that a simple dollar jug of water would have alleviated suffering for rooftop-stranded Katrina victims? A well thought out WCS plan establishes emergency protocols that minimize employees’ exposure to dangerous situations and also provides support during and after a critical event. A WCS mindset is essential to set the framework for an adequate plan, and that often involves venturing “outside the box” when it comes to thinking about all of the dire events that could befall your organization. Asymmetrical thinking is required to develop “what if” scenarios and response protocols for situations and incidents that fall outside the realm of “normal” disaster response. Train Employees to Make First Response the Right Response Critical incidents often fall far outside the realm of the average person’s normal routine or scope of knowledge. The result--people are either in shock, confused or incapable of responding properly to emergencies. Life in today’s world has impaired critical thinking skills and sometimes diminished our innate ability to survive. When an airliner skidded off the end of the runway after aborting takeoff, the passengers stood up to retrieve their possessions. That was their routine. Most were immediately overcome by smoke and subsequently perished. The only survivors were the few that realized the gravity of the situation and crawled over the tops of the seats to the emergency exits. Those that perished were senseless victims of rote. Firemen, law enforcement, medical and military personnel are trained to perform under adverse and often shocking conditions, and they ply their trade on a regular basis. Training and practice are what’s required to turn an ordinary person into a cop or fireman or soldier. Hands-on training and practice can turn an ordinary unaware employee into a valuable teammate. A Well Formulated Plan—a Must for All Companies
A company in Wyoming with ten employees will have a different plan than a company in Tornado alley with a thousand. Every company, regardless of size, needs some kind of plan. And…every plan needs to consider the WCS--worst case scenario. A small business could use an Emergency Operations Center that could double as a shelter with a few basic supplies. Evacuation and shelter-in-place protocols and staging areas could easily overlap and will eliminate ambiguity as to employee course of action. Inaction is the killer and for the most part, people will do what they are trained to do. Make sure your plan includes not only everyone in your charge, but leaves no doubt as to escape routes, shelter-in-place and staging areas. Make sure all employees receive (and read) an emergency plan, and then take time to have practice drills. Remember the fire drills in kindergarten? We had a better plan of action then than many businesses do now. In lieu of a cadre of experienced “battle proven” employees, it is essential to have trained key personnel in place that know the drill and have the ability to make command decisions based upon real-time information to initiate a timely crisis response. Employees are a captive audience. Providing them with basic emergency response protocols and simple training exercises while under your watch will insure their safety in the event of a disaster or critical incident. There is no room for indifference or inaction in the disaster preparedness business, just well formulated plans and qualified people capable of executing them. Instead of a “too little, too late” policy, choose “PYA” or “Protect Your Assets”. And, don’t forget that your employees are your most important business continuity asset. About the Author
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