Blockbuster Disaster Planning
While you’re enjoying a blockbuster disaster movie with the family this holiday, it might be a great time to think about your office’s disaster plan. Chances are slim there will be a mega quake, alien invasion or volcanic eruption, but there is always the possibility of a smaller-scale disaster or damaging storm. Are you prepared?
Not only are practices responsible for staff during disasters but also for patients who are onsite. If you don’t have a blockbuster disaster movie hero on hand, having a plan in place that the entire team is familiar withwill help ensure everyone’s safety and minimize injuries.
Here are some key parts of a disaster plan for the workplace.
Designate an emergency exit route and establish an evacuation plan for patients.
In monster movies, people scatter like ants trying to evade the giant monster. This is chaos. To prevent a mad stampede and keep everyone safe, an established emergency route and evacuation plan should be the first tasks in creating a disaster plan.
Maintain insurance coverage adequate to replace or repair facilities.
Repairs may not be possible in the event of a mega, movie-style earthquake, but real-life disasters can cause lots of damage ranging from minor to major. Making sure your insurance coverage is up- to- date and adequate will help you get back in business faster.
Maintain facilities.
Surviving an alien invasion is easy when you have fortified facilities, right? The same goes for a disaster such as a storm. If the facilities are maintained, they are more likely to withstand a disaster so keep up on those window or roof repairs.
Maintain emergency necessities.
In the event of an emergency such as a zombie monster apocalypse, being well stocked with supplies such as flashlights, batteries and first-aid supplies can make all the difference. Be sure to regularly check your emergency equipment and restock as needed.
Establish a current contact list.
Updated contact information such as names and telephone numbers can come in handy to spread the word about an epidemic movie-style virus sweeping the nation and is also handy for administrators who need to communicate with multiple staff about a coming storm.
Organize a notification system.
Contrary to the movies, blasting heavy metal music from an automobile built for the desert is actually not the best way to notify anyone of anything. Notification systems have come a long way, too. Now, you have email and text message systems available at a moment’s notice to communicate with your staff and patients.
Communicate and practice.
In all seriousness, building a disaster plan for your office is tough work, but even the best disaster movie about a shark tornado can fail in execution. The key to success is communication and practice. Once your plan is built, take the time to share it with your team and take a moment every three to six months to practice.