A working emergency plan in any organization is always important. The question is, how have your plans changed since Covid-19? Emergency measures for natural disasters, fires and other threats must change with the latest health mandates to reduce the spread of the virus. For example, you might need to stock up your emergency supply kits with enough PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) for your personnel.
Working through a global pandemic presents more challenges in emergency planning. We now need to prepare for multiple emergencies all happening at the same time. Recently we’ve had severe weather events one after another on top of the Covid-19 health emergency. So this means increasing the level of preparedness and mitigation to protect an already anxious and vulnerable population.
Here are 5 steps to updating and improving your organization’s Emergency Plan post-Covid-19:
Step 1: Examine possible natural disasters in your area.
Are you situated in a hurricane-prone zone? Do you go through seasons of very dry weather that may result in wildfires? Are earthquakes common? What about tornadoes? Check out FEMA online to confirm the types of natural hazards that may occur in your area. Ready.gov will give you the right information and training tools to plan for different types of emergency scenarios. And the American Red Cross has resources that you may find helpful in preparing for disasters during Covid-19.
Step 2: Prepare an Integrated Emergency Plan
Reacting to emergencies like severe weather events are complicated during COVID-19. Ensure health, safety, and smooth operations during emergencies while confronting the challenges of a pandemic by integrating emergency evacuation planning with sheltering in place. Evacuation planning includes identifying logistical needs and processes for a safe mass mobilization. While planning to shelter in place must consider stocking up on essential supplies in case of a lockdown that could last for days. To prepare for emergency events requiring evacuation and sheltering in place, nap.edu shares emergency planning strategies with a focus on reducing virus transmissions.
Step 3: Update Your Communication Plan
A communication strategy is integral to any emergency plan. Provide your organization with an updated Emergency Communication plan that details instructions on how to respond in a crisis in the context of a pandemic. Include the latest emergency contact information, Covid-19 health guidelines and procedures for how information should be shared at each stage of an emergency event and the actions required.
Step 4: Update Post-Disaster Support Plan
Update the guidelines for how your organization will extend assistance after an emergency. While the pandemic could make post-emergency support extra challenging, it shouldn’t stop you from extending a lifeline to people under your care.
Support can come in many forms. For example, you can simply help employees access post-disaster benefits administered by state, county and local entities. These may include, free health care, unemployment insurance offered to workers temporarily or permanently displaced by a disaster. State emergency management offices can provide information about these benefits.
Step 5: Focus On Prevention
Consider implementing an ongoing communications campaign and training in your organization with a focus on reducing the spread of disease. Increase your hygiene standards and demonstrate consistent practice of Covid-19 health measures. The idea is to develop a safety-first habit and build resiliency in your organization in case the worst happens.
Leverage Havrion’s Technology to Create Safe Environments
Update your Post-Covid19 emergency response plan with leading-edge emergency management technology. Havrion’s Solutions provide advanced hazard detection and emergency response for schools, buildings and facilities with integrated hardware and software systems under the Havrion Protect Suite.
HAVRION creates a dynamic and smart environment where thermal scanners and sensor integrations are used in conjunction with digital displays, to provide immediate communications and ensure the preservation of human life.
Schedule a Virtual Demo to learn how Havrion’s AI-powered solutions can help protect your environment from all types of natural or man-made emergency hazards.
