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Workplace Preparedness—The Catalyst to a Resilient Community
Prepare Your Employees—At Work, At Home and On the Road
By Kathy Rainey
As a resident of California in the mid 1980s I frequently heard the broadcast
message, “Earthquake preparedness is a ‘must’ in the
workplace, in the school and at home.”
When the Mexico City earthquake happened, we saw on TV the close-up images
of devastation. The preparedness message was driven home. In the following
years, California experienced a series of earthquakes and a preparedness
industry formed. Having started an emergency preparedness company in 1985,
I was part of an industry learning how to effectively deal with our natural
hazard. At the same time, in various parts of the world, preparedness
initiatives were forming to deal with hurricanes and other natural disasters.
On September 11, a disaster in the workplace unfolded as the entire world
watched. Today, emergency preparedness makes more sense than ever. During
my 18 years in this industry, here is what I have learned:
1. Businesses, schools and families should work towards 72-hour self-sufficiency
2. Good planning emphasizes prevention and preparedness as well as response
and recovery
3. Preparedness includes training and equipment
4. Workplace preparedness is the catalyst to grassroots preparedness
72-hour Self-Sufficiency
Far-reaching disasters do happen. Disruption to business and
family lives can last for months and years. While it is difficult to plan
for this kind of disruption, 72-hour preparedness makes sense. Why 72
hours? Experience has taught us that 3 to 5 days may be needed to organize
and mobilize resources to a disaster area. Picture this scenario moments
after a disaster:
trapped victims in need of evacuation
injured individuals in need of treatment
confused employees wondering what to do next
overwhelmed local emergency services
loss of basic services—water, power and communications
However, 72-hour self-sufficiency runs contrary to our lifestyle. We
have grown accustomed to the convenience of drive-through restaurants
and cannot fathom a need for emergency packs of water. Preparedness is
a form of insurance—something you hope you never use—something
for which you are grateful in a time of need.
Prevention and Preparedness…Response and Recovery
Sometimes we can prevent disasters and disruption from happening. Sometimes
we can minimize the impact. Major efforts are underway at the government
level to prevent and minimize the impact of terrorism as well as natural
disasters.
Always, we can make a difference at the local level. Grassroots preparedness—in
homes, schools and businesses is essential for communities to be resilient
in today’s world. Preparedness must include mitigation—action
taken to minimize the impact of disaster. For example, in earthquake-prone
areas, building retrofit and equipment fastening are wise investments.
At the core of preparedness is communication. When there is a preparedness
plan at a business, school or home, people know what to expect and what
to do. Lives are saved, property is spared and business is able to recovery
more quickly.
Preparedness Includes Training and Equipment
Employees need to know what to do before, during and after a
disaster. Education and training increase the likelihood that the first
response will be a good response. In a widespread disaster, 911 will not
be able to assist all impacted areas. Corporate emergency response teams
must be in place to fill in the void. Floor Wardens and ER Teams need
to be trained and equipped for evacuation, search & rescue, as well
as medical response.
After some disasters, employees may be forced to remain at the worksite
for one or more days. To cover all the bases, corporate preparedness will
include plans and provisions for sheltering employees: food, water, warmth,
lighting and sanitation.
Workplace Preparedness is a Powerful Catalyst
Workplace preparedness is a catalyst to grassroots preparedness. As companies
prepare their facilities, they make a powerful statement to their employees:
“We care and here is what we are doing—just in case!”
Over the past two decades, hundreds of companies have exercised leadership
by establishing solid programs for Emergency Preparedness. During the
first phase, a company prepares its operations and facilities. The next
step is to encourage home and school preparedness. Employees feel more
secure knowing they have a “family communications plan” and
that emergency supplies are stocked in their children’s school,
their automobiles and homes.
Secretary Tom Ridge has said it well, “We can be afraid or we can
be prepared.” Preparedness is not complicated. It does require time
and attention. Wise continuity managers will place priority on emergency
preparedness. For, in the end, people do matter most.
About the Author
Kathy Rainey founded the Emergency Lifeline Corporation, a manufacturer/distributor
of emergency kits and supplies, in 1985. In the early 90s, she began to
integrate emergency management and the field of disaster recovery (primarily
IT) through a series of publications. In 1996, the Disaster Resource GUIDE
was launched to further this mission. For more information email Kathy
at kgr@emergencylifeline.com
or visit www.emergencylifeline.com
For further information visit….
Ready.gov
Step 1: Make a Kit of Emergency Supplies
http://www.ready.gov/make_a_kit.html
Step 2: Make a Plan for What You Will Do in an Emergency
http://www.ready.gov/make_a_plan.html
Step 3: Be Informed about what might happen
http://www.ready.gov/get_informed.html
Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness
www.ccep.ca
The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness (CCEP) is a Canadian not-for-profit
organization devoted to the promotion of disaster management to individuals,
communities and organizations, in both government and the private sector,
with the aim of reducing the risk, impact and cost of natural, human-induced
and technological disasters.
Each summer, CCEP holds an international conference for business &
industry, institutions and government. The World Conference on Disaster
Management is extremely effective at integrating issues for emergency
management and business continuity. Visit www.wcdm.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.bt.cdc.gov
A comprehensive plan should include specific instructions to building
occupants, actions to be taken by facility management, and first responder
notification procedures. The links below should assist in the development
of these plans.
Facility Protection
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/prepared/prepared_facility.html
Emergency Contact Information
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/prepared/prepared_contact.html
Other Resources
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/prepared/prepared_other.html
Sheltering in Place
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/shelteringfacts.asp
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