Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In addition to having an Emergency Response Plan to deal with gen-
eral emergencies that affect the entire company, it is also necessary to have
an employee-specific emergency plan. Management must maintain infor-
mation on each employee that includes emergency contact numbers, the
names of family members and where they can be contacted during the
work day, relevant medical history, and special instructions in case of emer-
gency. Having this information readily available will not only enhance the
personal safety of the employee but also will make it easier to support the
family of an employee who is injured, killed, or experiencing a medical
emergency. Management should strongly consider having a family support
unit within the human resources division to coordinate any help that the
family might require. Both the employee's immediate supervisor and the
human resources department should maintain copies of the employee
emergency information form in an off-site facility. This will ensure that
the information is available even if the entire facility is destroyed. See
Exhibit 14.4 for an example of such a form.
This form is a sample that is recommended for every single employee
in the company. During a crisis, such as a terrorist attack, fire, or natural
disaster, there will be a need to have as much information as is possible
to aid in treating the injured or identifying the dead. In either case, the
families of employees who have become casualties will need assistance,
both spiritual and material. A simple employee information form will
make that task easier during a time where speed is of the essence. This
form also can include fingerprints and DNA samples. It is a morbid sub-
ject even to discuss, but considering that the identification of victims from
the attacks on the World Trade Center continued for more than a year
after the fact, it is an option that should at least be considered. Finger-
prints are easy to obtain, and a small envelope with a tuft of hair is all that
is needed for DNA sampling. It is unfortunate that this has become part
of the discussion in the field of emergency planning and management, but
the fact is it has.
A variety of other emergency situations may arise that will require
coordination rather than evacuation. Management may need to handle a
kidnapping or hostage situation in a satellite facility. A natural disaster
may affect the region and impact on the company personnel. There may
be civil disturbances such as protests, riots, or attempts to overthrow the
local government by coup d'état. It is the function of the managers staff-
ing the emergency command center to assess the situation and verify and
validate the threat to company personnel or property. They must carefully
Search WWH ::




Custom Search