Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity

Taking steps to minimize the effects of an emergency should one occur

Introduction

The focus of this module is emergency preparedness and response; first, however, we must discuss the concept of emergency management.Emergency management is the universal term for the systems and processes for mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters.  Emergency management involves:  

Taking steps to minimize the effects of an emergency should one occur:

*Preparing for emergency situations

*Responding effectively to an emergency

*Recovering as quickly as possible after an event (business continuity)

With little or no warning, a major emergency or disaster can strike a community or organization with devastating effects. An earthquake can topple buildings and bridges. A forest fire can roar into a community, consuming everything in its path. A chemical spill can trigger the evacuation of a neighbourhood or an entire town. Emergencies affect people and their communities in many ways. There may be injuries and death, destruction of homes, and displacement of families. Water, power, gas, telephone, and sewer systems may be cut off, leaving homes, health care facilities, institutions, and businesses without services. Upon completion of this module, you will be able to outline and explain the key elements of an emergency management program and its relationship to business continuity.

a. Differentiate and explain the basic components of an emergency management program.

b. Differentiate and explain the purpose and key elements of business continuity planning.

Emergency is an abnormal situation that demands prompt, co-ordinated actions that exceed normal procedures, thereby limiting damage to persons, property, and/or the environment.

Disaster is an event that results in serious harm to the safety, health or welfare of people or in widespread damage to property.

Emergency management is the universal term for the systems and processes for mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters.  Emergency management involves: 

-Taking steps to minimize the effects of an emergency should one occur
-Preparing for emergency situations
-Responding effectively to an emergency
-Recovering as quickly as possible after an event (business continuity).

An emergency is an adverse condition requiring prompt response to save lives and protect property using existing resources and procedures.
These are events that first responders respond to on a routine basis.

1. A definite plan to deal with major emergencies is an important element of OH&S programs and required by part 7 of the OHS code.
2. Besides the major benefit of providing guidance during an emergency, developing the plan has other advantages. 
-You may discover unrecognized hazardous conditions that would aggravate an emergency situation and you can work to eliminate them. 
-The planning process may bring to light deficiencies, such as the lack of resources (equipment, trained personnel, supplies), or items that can be rectified before an emergency occurs. 
-In addition an emergency plan promotes safety awareness and shows the organization's commitment to the safety of workers.

-The response plan must address the emergencies identified in the work site hazard assessment required by Part 2 of the OHS Code. 
-The plan is to be developed by the employer with the involvement of affected workers. 
-The procedures to be followed and the personnel involved in emergency response must be specified in the plan.
-All affected workers must be aware of the plan and familiar with the procedures. 

-An employer must have an emergency response plan for an emergency that may require the rescue or evacuation of workers.
-The plan is to be in writing and available to workers. 
-The plan must establish what the employer must do until emergency services personnel arrive. 

-The employer is responsible for providing the proper equipment and training related to the emergency response plan.
-This equipment and training must be appropriate to the type of hazards identified and also include the user of simulations and drills.
-This training and simulation activity is required to be completed at regular intervals to ensure that competency is maintained.

There are two broad types of emergencies:

Natural events
*Those caused by nature’s forces. 

Human-induced events
*Those caused by human error or accidents and are further sub-divided into human-induced accidental and human-induced intentional. 
*Human-induced may also be referred to as technological events or man-made.

Natural Events

Examples of natural events include:
-Avalanches
-Blizzards
-Earthquakes
-Epidemics
-Floods
-Forest fires
-Mud slides
-Tornadoes
-Tsunamis.