“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
No one intentionally sets out to fail, but throughout history we’ve seen organizations crumble because of a lack of planning. No amount of planning can eliminate a natural disaster, or even most man-made disasters, but the right planning can greatly reduce the consequences.
This year, as you look at your emergency response plan, consider putting it into action a few times. Here are three suggested trainings that you can easily work into your calendar, that won’t impact productivity.
1. Active Shooter
It seems as though active shooter situations have increased lately, which means that more people need to be prepared to respond to them. As a scenario-based workshop, this training is intense but necessary. At a minimum, management needs to attend these workshops, but if at all possible, each and every employee, including temporary or seasonal workers, needs to be trained. This training covers:
- Evaluation of current response plans
- How to establish a coordinated response to an active shooter incident
- Tips to help recognize signs of possible workplace violence
- Response to an active shooter or workplace violence situation
2. Fire Drills & Other Evacuations
Remember the monthly fire drills in elementary school? They have a place in the business world as well. It’s hard to motivate adults to practice for an emergency, and even in an emergency situation there may be resistance to evacuating in a timely manner. To encourage employees and visitors to take the drill seriously, you may include these suggestions in your plans:
- Block off certain exits in order to make the drill more challenging and realistic
- Reward employees if they achieve pre-set goals for a safe, orderly evacuation
- Conduct these at various times, to encourage people to learn evacuation routes from other areas, such as restrooms, meeting rooms and break rooms
3. Shelter in Place
The reason your business may need to shelter in place can vary, but most of the time that isn’t what is important. During this course, employees and management will learn what to do in an emergency that requires sheltering in place. The course includes training in these areas:
- Safety procedures and organizational role during workplace emergencies
- Basic identification of hazardous threats in the workplace
- Tools to determine whether to shelter in place or evacuate
While these three situations are not the only ones to consider when planning emergency preparedness training for your organization, they are a great start. For additional information on what trainings are available, or what may be of particular need for your organization, contact CCS for assistance. Beginning with a risk assessment, CCS can help you pinpoint areas of concern and develop a plan to be better prepared.
