Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
strike. Even more important is the scheduling of frequent drills so that
every employee understands what to do during an emergency and how to
do it. We discuss the importance of drill later on.
Also bear in mind that once the plan is created, it must continually be
updated. It is a virtual certainty that emergency plans more than several
months old will need to be reviewed and updated. For example, the emer-
gency plan will direct certain employees to do specific things during an
emergency. Employees may be designated as team leaders, searchers, and
first aid providers or placed in other positions critical to the plan's suc-
cess. Obviously the plan needs to be updated each time an employee is
hired or leaves the company, unless that employee did not have a vital role
in the plan. If the individual was a team leader, a revision is mandatory.
In addition, the plan must be updated to reflect any changes in the facil-
ity's physical structure. For example, the closing of an exit, stairwell, or
elevator is cause for a plan revision. Similarly, the addition of exits also
must be reflected in the plan. The plan should be updated on at least a
quarterly basis even if there are no changes to the facility or its person-
nel. However, when any change does occur, a determination must be made
of whether it will impact the emergency response plan. No matter why
an employee leaves, the personnel department must be required to check
the plan and determine whether that person had an important role in the
plan's execution. This also must occur whenever an employee goes on
leave or is transferred to a different department. The personnel office
must provide that information to security and must then work with secu-
rity to coordinate the replacement of the missing individual in the plan.
A similar requirement must exist with regard to the physical plant man-
agement department. Both the engineering and maintenance departments
must be required to check the emergency plan and consult with the secu-
rity department before they begin any construction or maintenance. A
determination will then be made as to whether the planned activity will
interfere with the execution of the emergency response plan. If it will, the
plan must be adjusted to take the activity into account.
The key to developing a successful plan lies in cooperation between
the various departments within the company. Each department must be
included in every phase of the plan's development. Exhibit 14.1 details the
departmental responsibilities by area.
As you can see, each department is involved in the planning and pro-
vides input unique to its specific function within the company. Manage-
ment must coordinate input from the various departments to reach the
