Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 14
Emergency Response
Planning
VIRTUALLY EVERY GOVERNMENT AGENCY, facility, and installation
maintains an Emergency Response Plan. Command centers are acti-
vated during a crisis, and the agencies have anticipated emergency situa-
tions as well as the appropriate responses to initiate. Many corporations
have adopted this practice and have emergency plans in place. The major-
ity of businesses, however, have not. This chapter discusses the need for
such plans and recommends specific courses of action that should be
taken during a variety of emergency situations.
Why do you need an Emergency Response Plan? In a crisis, such as a
bombing, bomb threat, fire, release of hazardous materials, armed attack,
or natural disaster, stress, fear, and panic can lead to state of confusion. A
confused workforce will rely on management to provide the appropriate
direction. Managers, however, will be under the same stress as their
employees. The state of panic will limit or prevent the ability of manage-
ment, security officers, or other designated persons from making the
right decisions during a crisis. A well-organized plan provides people with
the ability to make the right decisions under pressure during an emer-
gency. The plans must be well thought out and well organized. During an
emergency, the prearranged plan need only be executed. The need for
thinking under pressure has been eliminated. The right decisions can
then be made, saving lives, protecting property, and eliminating disrup-
tion to the organization such as loss of productivity, increased financial
expenses, and decline in employee morale.
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