The Family Emergency Response Plan
As a Business Continuity professional at my company, I know that when a disaster hits, we are armed with tested plans to ensure we are prepared to react. What is not well documented in the plans is of utmost importance in a real disaster - Is my family OK?
According to Forbes Magazine, a poll found that during 911, fewer than one in three adults in that corner of the country had an emergency plan for their family (32 percent) or a disaster supply kit (29 percent).
The old analogy "the plumber's pipes are never fixed" rings true. While my role at my company was to ensure preparedness, I was not prepared at home. Other than fire drills, we did not have an emergency response plan. The Power Outage on the North American East coast was our eye opener.
Training my family was a challenge. Unlike my co-workers, the arsenal of planning tools would be ineffective. I could, however, apply the basics.
1) Make assumptions for planning purposes. ( kids at school etc..)
2) Test using scenarios that are realistic. You can't plan for everything but try for reasonable scenario's.
3) Plan for the worst.
4) Have a communication plan and central meeting place(shelter). Make a plan for what you would do in an emergency and how family members would contact one another. If circumstances suggest the safest bet is to "shelter in place," choose a room with as few windows and doors as possible. Consider where you would go if you must evacuate.
5) Stock your shelter with a kit containing at least 3 days supplies. That kit should cover basic needs for food, water and clean air. You'll need one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation; non-perishable foods that your family would enjoy; and face masks or cloth to filter out debris or germs that could make you sick. Other recommended items include a battery-powered radio, flashlight and first aid kit.
6) Investigate emergency planning for your community. Talk to your children's schools and your employer about their emergency plans.
7) Practice your plans regularly.
For more tips on preparing for a disaster, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. http://www.ready.gov/ or the Canadian Center for Emergency Preparedness: http://www.ccep.ca
The cost of preparedness planning will be of great value in a disaster.
The peace of mind is priceless.
Lori