Leadership: Developing and Communicating Emergency Plans

What would you do - right now - if the electricity went off in your home or business? Do you know where the closest flashlight is, and have the batteries been checked in it this month? Could you find it easily in the dark? How would you cook or get heat? Are there people who are dependent on electricity for medical reasons, such as CPAP machines? If so, do you have a back-up generator?

Now consider the common emergencies faced in your workplace or home. Besides a loss of electricity, consider weather-related ones, medical, building repair, financial, personnel and legal ones (such as someone getting arrested).

Recently, a reader with expertise in emergency management asked his supervisor about the organization's emergency management procedures. The employee was startled to hear that the supervisor didn't know these plans, but referred him to the Human Resources department.

If emergency plans are not known to everyone - and practiced regularly - there is a major problem in communication. During a disaster, it's too late.

Ready.gov is a great source in the US for information on how to prepare for common emergencies.
Check it out!

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