Preparedness has been preached by the Boy Scouts, the federal government, and Dwight Schrute (remember that episode where he sets the office on fire?). And there are far too many cautionary tales of people and businesses that failed to prepare and faced tragic consequences when disaster struck.
Still, emergency preparedness can be intimidating. Here’s how you can start today to ready yourself, your coworkers, and your business for whatever tomorrow holds.
1. Stayin’ Alive
If you see someone collapse, you can help—no mouth-to-mouth needed. With “hands-only” CPR, you can more than double a person’s chance of survival. Here’s the how-to from the American Heart Association: Call 911. Then use the heel of your hand to push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the classic disco song “Stayin’ Alive” until help arrives. To find a CPR course in your area, visit heart.org.
2. Call For Backup
Data loss is a preventable yet all-too-common disaster. Protect your files with a reliable backup service—one that is automated, off-site, and secure. Your company should also have a business plan that outlines how it will minimize the effects of service interruption for critical systems such as credit-card processing or customer-service phone lines.
3. In Case of Fire
Make Smokey proud: Appoint yourself chief of the smoke alarm by changing the batteries twice a year when you change the clocks for daylight saving time. Work with building managers to ensure your office is regularly inspected and compliant with local fire code. And always know where the nearest fire extinguisher is.
4. Get an SMS SOS
Recent updates to the national emergency warning system mean you don’t need an app to know stormy skies lay ahead. If severe weather is on the horizon, your phone will buzz twice with a special tone and show a ninety-character message known as a Wireless Emergency Alert. To learn more about the program, visit ready.gov/alerts.
5. Supply for Demand
You might have food storage in your basement and a first-aid kit in your car, but what do you have at your desk? In case you need to shelter at work, stock a spare drawer with basics, such as food, water, comfortable walking shoes, a can opener, and a flashlight. For a supply kit checklist, visit ready.gov.
6. This Is a Test
Put your office’s emergency preparedness to the test—with the support of your managers, of course. It could be a basic evacuation drill or a full-scale exercise in cooperation with the fire department or other agencies. You could also foster some friendly competition—for example, see which department can master the quickest evacuation.
7. Best-Laid Plans
Find out if your company has an emergency action plan. If it does, spread the word. If it doesn’t, assemble a team to develop and implement one. Create plans for fires, severe weather, power losses, medical emergencies, active shooters, and bomb threats. If you need a template to get started, visit marriottmag.wordpress.com.
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Article written by Holly Munson
