How to plan disaster management in the company?

Disaster can strike at any moment. Depending on where the business is located, the disaster could be a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, or fire. It is important that the company develop a disaster preparedness plan and conduct emergency drills. Then, if a disaster, the company will have provisions and procedures in place in case help is not readily available. When disaster strikes, plan ahead it can save your life.

During the last decades, the impact of disasters that have been generated by the dynamics and internal forces of the planet or by action transforming the human being, has been reflected worldwide in alarming numbers of victims, destruction and economic losses that have had an impact directly in a delay in the social, economic and cultural development previously planned by many countries and therefore in the quality of life of their settlers.

Factors such as poverty, the increase in population density, migration, environmental degradation, global warming, the style and living conditions of the least Developed countries contribute greatly to the increased vulnerability to disasters of different territories and therefore of the ecosystems and social groups that settle in them.

The International Strategy for United Nations Disaster Reduction - ISDR, considers that every year more than 200 million people are affected by droughts, floods, tropical cyclones, earthquakes, forest fires and other hazards. With this alarming panorama, it is important to highlight that access to information and knowledge is a powerful and very effective tool to manage and reduce risks and disasters and thereby save lives, reduce human suffering and losses materials.

"Disasters can be greatly reduced if people stay informed about the steps they can take to reduce their vulnerability and if they stay motivated to act."

Some points that your company should consider in its facilities:

• Disaster kit (food, water, emergency documents)
• Study the disasters that could affect your place of residence. You can get this information from your local Red Cross or your local emergency management office.
• Plan a fire escape route. There should be two exits from each room. Draw the escape route so the children can see and know where to go.
• Plan an evacuation route in case you need to leave the area. Know the nearest shelter and the area to go to in the event of a natural disaster.
• Situational Awareness.

Assemble a disaster supply kit. This kit should include first aid supplies, water, and non-perishable foods that do not need to be cooked or refrigerated. It can also include employee documents, insurance papers, etc. Keep the supply kit in an easily accessible area in a container that you can quickly grab if you leave your home.

Make sure everyone in the company is aware of evacuation routes and the location of disaster supply equipment. For this task it is important to have a training schedule.

Practice your plan and check supplies on a routine basis. The more prepared the members of your company are, the better they will be able to handle an emergency situation.