Question

What do you consider to be the critical elements of an emergency plan for responding to a natural disaster or other emergency? Explain your reasoning

Answer 1

Response - Your safety and well-being in an emergency depend on how prepared you are and on how you respond to a crisis. By being able to act responsibly and safely, you will be able to protect yourself, your family, others around you and your animals. Taking cover and holding tight in an earthquake, moving to the basement with your pets in a tornado, and safely leading horses away from a wildfire are examples of safe response. These actions can save lives.

When an emergency occurs, the first priority is always life safety. The second priority is the stabilization of the incident. There are many actions that can be taken to stabilize an incident and minimize potential damage. First aid and CPR by trained employees can save lives. Use of fire extinguishers by trained employees can extinguish a small fire. Containment of a small chemical spill and supervision of building utilities and systems can minimize damage to a building and help prevent environmental damage.

Some severe weather events can be forecast hours before they arrive, providing valuable time to protect a facility. A plan should be established and resources should be on hand, or quickly, available to prepare a facility. The plan should also include a process for damage assessment, salvage, protection of undamaged property and cleanup following an incident.

RESPONSE PLAN

Evacuation Plan - Evacuation may be required if there is a fire in the building or other hazard. The evacuation team will direct the evacuation of the building and account for all employees outside at a safe location.

Severe Weather/Tornado Sheltering Plan - If a tornado warning is issued, broadcast a warning throughout all buildings instructing everyone to move to shelter.

Shelter-In-Place Plan - If warned to “shelter-in-place“ from an outside airborne hazard, a warning should be broadcast and all employees should move to shelter.

Lockdown Plan - Persons trained to use the warning system to warn persons to “lockdown“

Medical Emergency Plan - If a medical emergency is reported, dial 9-1-1 and request an ambulance. Provide the following information: • Number and location of victim(s) • Nature of injury or illness • Hazards involved • Nearest entrance (emergency access point) Alert trained employees (members of the medical response team) to respond to the victim’s location and bring a first aid kit or Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Fire Emergency Plan - If a fire is reported, pull the fire alarm, (if available and not already activated) to warn occupants to evacuate. Then Dial 911 to alert Fire Department. Provide the following information: • Business name and street address • Nature of fire • Fire location (building and floor or) • Type of fire alarm (detector, pull station, sprinkler waterflow) • Location of fire alarm (building and floor) • Name of person reporting fire • Telephone number for return call

Warning, Notification & Communications Systems The following systems are used to warn employees to take protective action (e.g., evacuate, move to tornado shelter, shelter-in-place, or lockdown) and provide them with information. The Communications capabilities enable members of our emergency team to communicate with each other and others.