Emergency Preparedness Checklist!

  • How vulnerable would your business be if a disaster or other emergency would occur?
  • Know your region. Find out what emergencies have occurred in the past and how they impacted other businesses in your area. Consider your facility’s capacity to resist damage and what your proximity is to hazards. Consult with your insurance agent to learn about available coverage as some coverage does not cover earthquake or flood damage.
  • Identify external emergency response resources. Know who to contact in an emergency and how they can help. Keep phone numbers readily available to your employees. Some resources include police, fire department, local government officials, local public health agency, national weather service, and the utility companies.
  • What is your plan to protect the business and its employees before, during and after an emergency?
  • Identify a planning committee. To develop and implement an emergency response plan.
  • Obtain necessary safety equipment. Budget for and purchase safety equipment such as first-aid kits, Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs); fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and shelter-in-place supplies. Employees must know how to access and use the safety equipment.
  • Write a plan. Clear leadership structure that indicates who is in charge during emergency situations. A system for warning employees about emergencies and communicating during emergencies. Consideration of the special needs of employees with disabilities and medical conditions. Procedures for employees to follow for evacuation and sheltering-in-place as well as responding to internal medical emergencies.
  • Develop a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). Plan to keep your business operating as it responds and recovers from disasters. Establish procedures. Identify essential business functions and staff to carry out the functions.  Establish procedures with suppliers, vendors and other businesses critical to daily operations.  Create a plan for conducting business if the facility is not accessible and set up electronic back up systems for vital business records and/or keep offsite copies of vital records. Identify records and documents that must be readily accessible to perform essential functions and store them effectively.
  • What can we do to integrate emergency preparedness procedures into our work place culture
  • Train employees. Roles in disaster. Evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures.
  • Obtain needed equipment and supplies.
  • Practice you Plan. Practice makes Perfect.
  • Encourage personal preparedness among employees. Have at least 10% of staff trained in first aid and CPR/AED skills. Offer training. Encourage employees at home to Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed.
  • Help your community get prepared.

For more information contact Brian W. Walsh at bww@mbm-law.net or call 412-242-4400

Alfred Maiello

Alfred C. Maiello is the founding member of MBM and has represented area school districts as solicitor for 50 years. He counsels school districts and educational institutions on leading developments in school law and guiding them through their day-to-day and long-term challenges.