Disaster Planning

Disaster Planning or Planning A Disaster?

You will only have successful disaster planning if there is agreement in an organization’s disaster management team. It is the center of the companies survival should a crisis occur. The same applies for a school’s first aid during an emergency situation, or the only lifeline for your family during a disaster. Although there are vast risks and great costs involved in planning, your team can make the most out of your disaster planning by identifying common problems and challenges. If these problems are not identified by the organization, then the disaster plan itself can become a risk.

Listed below are the things that need to be avoided as well as the things that need to be looked for in order to prevent disaster planning from becoming a timed-bomb waiting to explode.

Firstly, inter-agency emergency and disaster coordination need to be checked. One very important example of this, is having the knowledge of when to coordinate with the Red Cross. A firm relationship should be had with the Red Cross by schools and hospitals. Regardless of whether your disaster management team are knowledgeable and skilled, it is highly important to have collaboration with outside emergency units.

Communication is the second item on the agenda. When it comes to disaster planning, the likelihood of communication failure should be avoided at all times. Even though cellular phones and landlines can be beneficial and convenient, they may not always be reliable. Telephone lines can be disrupted during bad weather conditions. Therefore, it is advised to invest in long range two way radios.

Management of resource should also be looked at carefully. It is imperative to have a centralized system of distributing emergency supplies and survival kits in order to avoid confusion, shortage of supplies and adverse damages. However, resources are not only limited to survival materials, goods and emergency kits. Emergency volunteers and equipment are also included in this category. Again, in order to avoid bewilderment and disorientation, last minute briefings must take place before volunteers and agencies begin a disaster situation.

Credible broadcasting of information should also be covered in disaster planning. When public warnings are issued, then uncertainty, hesitation and even downplays are unavoidable. Therefore, it is important to avoid half truths. Public warnings should never be vague. It must be lifted from a reliable source and provide identification of individual risks and guidelines on what actions should be taken. For instance, if a hurricane warning is being issued, then do not simply report that it is coming. Information about the scale of its possible damages should be provided along with suggested action such as evacuation or remaining indoors.

Keywords to remember when dealing with the common challenges of disaster planning are teamwork, communication, resource coordination and warning. Be sure that you are disaster planning, not planning a disaster.