Emergency preparedness

Emergency preparedness is vital to ensure a disaster response is not impeded by disorganization or miscommunication. Remaining calm and moving confidently through the wilds of a crisis are much easier when you have a map. And that is exactly what an emergency operations plan (EOP) is — a mapping of the best course of action during an emergency.

Businesses require special measures to protect their operations, infrastructure, and workers from any potential harmful effects an emergency could cause. Emergencies can be the result of man-made or natural events, some examples may include terrorism, earthquakes, tornadoes, extreme temperatures, fires, hurricanes. Therefore, it is important to establish a plan before the occurrence of these events to be prepared in case an emergency happens. These plans include different stages such as facility protection, in which business owners or managers can take steps to identify potential hazards and make changes to prevent, mitigate or control them, and the creation of planning guidelines of emergency management, covering topics such as evacuation plans, procedures, shelter, fire safety, and disaster kits among others.

8 Steps to make a EOP/EAP 1. Anticipate your predominant risks 2. Identify your company’s top priorities 3. Have a secure backup solution/COOP 4. Develop your plan 5. Establish a chain of command 6. Mitigate the potential damage 7. Keep your business emergency plan up to date 8. Know what emergency resources are available

Our everyday operations consist of planning and preparing for what can and will eventually occur. We put together emergency operation plans, we manage supplies that will be needed when an emergency arrives, we prepare the community by offering training classes (CERT, active shooter, CPR/AED, Storm Spotter), and we strive to compose the response efforts needed as we build a relationship with our community. For more information on who we are and what we do please visit our About Us page.

At Russell County Emergency Management, we will be happy to assist you in making your plan!

Other Online Resources

	Ready.gov – FEMA has created toolkits for helping business owners. The Ready Business Toolkit series includes hazard-specific versions for earthquake, hurricane, inland flooding, power outage, and severe wind/tornado. Toolkits offer business leaders a step-by-step guide to build preparedness within an organization.
	SBA.gov – The U.S. Small Business Administration aims to assist those who do it all, prepare for it all. Easy to follow steps to ensure that there is a plan in place in case the unimaginable happens.
	FEMA O.P.E.N. – (Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs) OPEN includes both a web-based, self-guided training, and a downloadable instructor kit that will guide participants on how to identify risks, locate resources, and take preparedness actions. When Community-Based Organizations, such as food pantries, daycares, and non-profits, are unable to sustain operations during an emergency incident, individuals who rely on them are exponentially impacted. Because of their importance in keeping the community going, OPEN is designed to empower these organizations to better prepare for incidents.
	RedCross.org – Ready Rating is a program that helps businesses, schools and organizations become prepared for disasters and other emergencies. All in one place, Ready Rating members have access to one-of-a-kind tools, resources and information for evaluating and improving their ability to withstand disaster, maintain operations, and protect lives and property. Whether you are taking your first steps or have a fully-functioning emergency management program, the Ready Rating program can help you achieve a higher level of preparedness.

Click here to download our brochure for business preparedness