"Be Prepared" - a good motto to follow

The Boy Scouts of America's motto is "Be Prepared." Everyday the news reports on another devastating disaster - tornados, fires, floods, hurricanes, even workplace violence. There are some general steps you can take to start to develop a disaster or crisis management plan for your operation.
Make a list of possible emergencies. Each will require a different type of response - medical emergencies, weather-related emergencies and fires or other events.

When developing your emergency action plan, it is important to determine the following:

• Conditions under which enacting the plan would be necessary;
• A clear chain of command and designation of the person in your business authorized to order starting your emergency plan;
• Specific emergency procedures, including evacuation routes and exits. Post these procedures where they are easily accessible to all employees;
• Procedures for assisting people with disabilities or who do not speak English;
• Designation of what, if any, employees will continue or shut down critical operations during an emergency/evacuation; and A system for accounting for personnel following an emergency or evacuation.

Get to know your first responders - the fire marshal, the police or members of the sheriff's office and the ambulance or emergency medical service. Most local departments have a website that is a good source for information. Plan ahead to schedule a visit to your place before something happens so they have a layout/idea of your business and provide them with a list of possible hazards, chemicals or other special circumstances.

Already have an emergency plan? Is it up-to-date?

• Be sure your contact lists have the names and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan.
• If you've expanded your operation recently, your plan should reflect those changes.
• Regularly have employees check to be sure that first aid kits are well stocked, fire extinguishers are in proper working order and emergency exits are accessible.
• Remember those "duck & tuck" tornado drills you practiced in grade school? Start having regular emergency drills with your employees. Account for all personnel. Practice does make perfect.

Here are a few suggestions to help you get started on a plan.

• Your insurance agent may be able to assist in development of your plan.
• Your local emergency manager can point you in the right direction in regards to local and national guidelines.
• The Federal Emergency Management agency (FEMA) oversees the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), which has many resources to get you started on your way to emergency preparedness, including the downloadable "Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry."
• OSHA has a good downloadable booklet on "How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations."