Emergency Preparedness Tips and Actions for the Workplace

Transcription

1 Emergency Preparedness Tips and Actions for the Workplace

2 Is Your Business Disaster Ready? Disaster and emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere in Minnesota. 52 Presidential Disaster Declarations between 1957 and 2014 (from natural causes) in Minnesota. All 87 counties have been declared at some time.

3 Plan to Stay in Business Up to 40% of businesses affected by a natural or human caused disaster never reopen. (Source: Insurance Information Institute). The best defense for any emergency is to plan and prepare! Plan to Stay in Business.

4 Consider the Threats The threats facing businesses large and small are real and challenging. Natural Hazards Storms, floods, tornadoes, wildfires Health Hazards Viruses and pandemics, hazardous materials, contaminations Human caused Hazards Violence, terrorism, fires, accidents, crimes Technology Hazards Power failures or surges, cyber crimes, road and traffic accidents

5 Know the Disaster Management Cycle Homes Businesses Organizations Communities

6 Organize Develop an Emergency Preparedness Team Senior management Key line managers Union leaders Technology specialists Safety/security/facility staff Workforce leaders and volunteers

7 Research and Analyze Gather information about hazards Review State Hazard Mitigation Plan Check with local Emergency Manager Review insurance coverages Prioritize risks and impacts Conduct a business impact analysis. Contact insurers and safety consultants

8 Tips and Actions Designate and train critical function or emergency personnel. Employee Management or Team Leaders Technical Specialists Floor Wardens Facility Security Personnel EMS Trained staff Volunteers Conduct or contract for training as appropriate

9 Tips and Actions Conduct business continuity training Consult with technology specialists on continuity planning. Address the What if? questions. Contact a local business continuity consultant, or emergency management professional and work with company leadership to create or update disaster and continuity plans.

10 Tips and Actions Update and distribute a card or printable emergency phone and contact information to your employees. Besides 9 1 1, include numbers for: Security Medical assistance Fire or hazardous material teams Safety specialists Command centers Corporate communications Remote locations

11 Tips and Actions Put an updated copy of the facility emergency plan on everyone s desk or in and have regular group meetings to review it. Include both evacuation and sheltering plans. Develop emergency plans for employees and their families and ensure everyone understands them. Continuity plan if employees must return home suddenly. How to create compatible family emergency communications plans. How company will address personal recovery.

12 Tips and Actions Showcase instructional videos or distribute preparedness information that can be individually accessed. Provide online training opportunities. FEMA Online Training (Emergency Management Institute) CDC Red Cross Ready.gov OSHA.gov Colleges and Universities Insurers HSEM Minnesota Safety Council MN State Council on Disabilities

13 Tips and Actions Conduct annual emergency plan reviews Consider the various environments: Test them in conjunction with an exercise Offices Manufacturing/warehouse facilities Work/construction sites Consider different scenarios Evacuation Sheltering Sheltering in place Communications disruptions

14 Tips and Actions Conduct periodic evacuation, sheltering and communications exercises and drills for all employees and sites. Once completed, evaluate and review procedures or training as needed. Consult with local responders, emergency managers and volunteers to participate, observe or advise.

15 Tips and Actions Review lessons learned from events or exercises. Purchase supplies or upgrade equipment. Ensure emergency assignments and roles match requirements and corporate structure. Schedule training and future drills as needed.

16 Tips and Actions Host disaster preparedness brown bags for employees. Family and individual emergency preparedness. Preparedness for people with disabilities. Basic first aid or CPR classes. Invite local or county emergency manager to give a disaster preparedness briefing for key staff. Learn about local disaster planning and response procedures and tailor business plans accordingly. Find your local emergency manager via the HSEM website.

17 Tips and Actions Get a NOAA Weather Radio for each facility and put them on display in break rooms or other high traffic locations Encourage employees to get their own for their homes as well.

18 Tips and Actions Distribute emergency preparedness messages and information example: How to make an emergency supply kit. Make a family communications plan. How to be informed about emergencies. Ways to get Involved in your community. Include emergency preparedness messages in communication touch points such as e mails, newsletter articles, bill stuffers, receipts, and social media.

19 Help Your Community Consult with local emergency manager on how your business can help the local community in an emergency: Disaster Recovery Emergency Supplies Sheltering Transportation Communications Preparedness Education Events Labor P2CAT Volunteer your company or facility to participate in local exercises

20 Homeland Security and Emergency Management Disaster Recovery EPCRA Grants Emergency Management Grants Hazard Mitigation Homeland Security Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Emergency Response Alerts and Warnings Minnesota Duty Officer Emergency Planning and Preparedness Access and Functional Needs All Hazards Planning Radiological Emergency Preparedness Minnesota School Safety Center Contact for County Emergency Managers Minnesota Rail Safety State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)

21 Participate and Prepare Minnesota Winter Hazard Awareness Week November 9 13, topic days Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week April 11 15, topic days Two statewide tornado drills on Thursday April 14 National Preparedness Month Every September

22 Preparedness Resources for Businesses Ready.gov/business (FEMA) Program Management Planning Implementation Testing & Exercises Program Improvement Business Continuity Planning Suite Business Testimonials FEMA Emergency Management Institute

23 Preparedness Resources for Businesses Small Business Administration (SBA) How to create a preparedness program for your business How to identify critical business systems How to create an emergency communications plan How to test your business systems OSHA Getting Started General Preparedness and Response Natural Disasters / Severe Weather Events Specific Hazards Resources and Guides

24 For More Information Contact Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) Brian Curtice Public Education and Outreach Coordinator