The 10 Steps towards a successful Emergency Management Program

The evolution of how we prepare for, respond to and recover from human or natural caused disasters has taken place by incorporating our experiences from events throughout the world. While many emergency situations are unavoidable, countermeasures can be developed to prevent loss of life, minimize damage, ensure continuity of operations and lead to a rapid recovery.  While we continue to learn from recent events, the following 10 steps can provide a road map toward a reliable emergency management program.

Emergency Management and Public Safety Planning

1. Hazard Analysis – conduct an analysis of all threats within your jurisdiction service areas and identify vulnerabilities currently within your organization.
2. Plan – develop custom plans tailored to your organization.
3. Equipment – identify and secure equipment and supplies necessary for effective response and rapid recovery from any event.
4. Training – provide basic training for all personnel and specialized training for essential services.
5. Drills and Exercises – conduct regular drills and response exercises to prepare all personnel and update all standard operating procedures.
6. Response – respond to actual incidents and events using proven field management systems supported by state of the art emergency operations centers.
7. Recovery – continue essential services and operations while implementing your recovery plan, maintain crisis communications with your primary constituents.
8. Evaluation – Conduct post disaster reviews and analysis to identify short falls and areas in need of improvement.
9. Mitigation – identify and invest in programs that will ensure your organization becoming more disaster resilient.
10. Update and Refresh – incorporate lessons learned by updating and refreshing all plans, procedures and programs while continuing to strengthen your organization.