| Emergencies of some kind occur on a daily | | | | make sure everyone is out. An important part |
| basis, sometimes several times in the same | | | | of any emergency response plan is to have |
| day. It should come as no surprise that the | | | | designated exits for all locations within the |
| key to surviving an emergency is being | | | | building and to mark these clearly. An escape |
| prepared. Chaos and confusion can quickly | | | | route sign must be located by all doors. |
| turn a bad situation into a devastating one. | | | | Keeping exits clear and accessible is also |
| This is true for both the home and the | | | | essential. |
| workplace as well. Emergencies are high | | | | |
| stress situations, and can be made | | | | Some employees may be designated, in certain |
| significantly worse by having not being | | | | emergencies, to stay back and begin the |
| prepared. The best way to combat this is to | | | | emergency response. This may include a |
| have a plan ready to enact should an | | | | hazardous materials team that is trained and |
| emergency arise. | | | | properly equipped to handle small spills. It |
| | | | may be an employee with emergency response |
| Emergency Response plans are a requirement | | | | training who does a quick sweep of the |
| for any workplace. Even fire departments and | | | | building with respiratory protection. These |
| police stations must have an emergency | | | | duties must be clearly spelled out in the |
| response plan in place should an emergency | | | | plan, and training and equipment must be |
| occur within their building. These plans, of | | | | supplied. These are extreme cases and should |
| course, look much different than most | | | | be coordinated with local emergency crews. |
| businesses emergency plans, whether small or | | | | |
| large, but they are still a requirement. | | | | The plan must clearly define what an |
| Planning and training phases, though, mean | | | | emergency is and what employees, in each of |
| nothing on paper. These plans must be | | | | the various jobs or locations, is expected to |
| studied, understood, and practiced by | | | | do. They must be trained in the plan so they |
| employees. | | | | know their duties and expectations. |
| | | | Practicing various aspects of the emergency |
| When putting together an emergency response | | | | response plan is a key component, as well. |
| plan for a small business, it is important to | | | | Confusion is reduced by practicing and the |
| address those emergencies that are most | | | | comfort level rises. Not all aspects of the |
| likely to occur first and work back from | | | | plan must be practiced, but the most likely |
| those kinds of situations. For instance, a | | | | scenarios, and the most extreme, should be |
| business in a warm climate should not focus | | | | drilled. |
| all of their energy on a plan for a major | | | | |
| blizzard or ice storm. Moreover, a company in | | | | An emergency response plan is not going to |
| a landlocked, northern location does not need | | | | cover every possible emergency. It should |
| to spend as much time on a plan for a | | | | address the most likely scenarios and then |
| hurricane. | | | | have a general plan in place for major |
| | | | disasters. The evacuation will be much the |
| Geography plays a large role in the planning | | | | same for a fire as for a chemical spill. A |
| process, but the nature of the business must | | | | major storm may require |
| factor in, as well. A company that deals with | | | | "sheltering-in-place", just as a major |
| large sums of money in cash must be concerned | | | | hazardous material incident outside the |
| with the threat of a robbery. A business that | | | | building might. A general plan in place for |
| deals with chemicals must be prepared for | | | | all emergencies will help build a basic |
| spills or reactions. Knowing the dangers | | | | understanding of what is expected. Additional |
| inherent in the business is vital in the | | | | roles and responsibilities may come into play |
| planning process. Fires are a possibility for | | | | for more specific emergencies. A person |
| any business. These should be addressed early | | | | should be designated in charge in any |
| in the planning stages. The evacuation | | | | situation where the plan is called into play. |
| procedure for a fire may be similar to many | | | | This person would be responsible for |
| other evacuations. This section of the plan | | | | overseeing the implementation of the plan and |
| can then be expanded to develop the plans for | | | | communicating with emergency crews. A |
| other kinds of emergencies. | | | | "second-in-charge" should also be designated, |
| | | | or a regular chain or command established, |
| A good plan will also help emergency crews | | | | should the first person be unable to perform |
| when they arrive on scene. A well thought out | | | | their duties. |
| and practiced plan may help conserve property | | | | |
| damage as well. Steps like closing interior | | | | Coordinating with local emergency crews and |
| doors when leaving might help control the | | | | setting up drills is a good way to practice, |
| spread of fire or chemicals. This one step, | | | | and adapt the plan. The Federal Emergency |
| which may viewed as a small detail, could | | | | Management Agency has training available to |
| save the business owner a significant amount | | | | help small businesses develop and implement a |
| of money. | | | | good emergency response plan. The |
| | | | Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
| A common meeting place for all employees also | | | | also offers guidance in helping with this |
| helps with getting an accurate head count to | | | | planning process. |