Five Keys to Effective Emergency Plans

The scope and intent of an emergency preparedness program should span an array of emergencies.

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis revealed many vulnerabilities in our global economy, healthcare systems, institutions, and supply chains; and shortcomings in facility operations and management were exposed as well. This is not to say that facility management teams did not respond well. As modern-day “McGyvers,” facility professionals are adept at thinking on their feet and evolving practices to deal with the new situation. Nevertheless, while it is impossible to adequately prepare for such unprecedented events, the need for a robust emergency response and preparedness program cannot be overstated.

The likely knee-jerk reaction will be to direct all efforts to prepare for future pandemics. Preparing for the risk of a future pandemic is important, of course, but the scope and intent of an emergency preparedness program should be broadened to span an array of emergencies, such as natural disasters, terrorism, and more localized events, including fire and utility interruptions.

The benefit of this expanded purview is that the fundamental elements of an emergency response and preparedness program can be leveraged for all events, providing a consistent, reliable approach.

The foundation of a comprehensive emergency response and preparedness program includes the following five components…[Click here to read the article as published on faciliesnet.com]

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