| The events of September 11 as well as the natural disasters we have faced, such as the recent 6.8 earthquake, illustrate the need for a well thought out and implemented disaster plan. Take the following Employee Preparedness Test and see where your business ranks in being ready for the unexpected.
Location And Resource Information
___ Who will be in charge of administering first aid?
___ Where are the utilities?
___ How do you shut them off?
___ Who shuts them off?
___ Who determines the extent of building damage?
___ Who decides when to evacuate?
___ What equipment is critical to your operation?
___ Where is that equipment located?
___ What hazards exist in your work environment?
___ What needs to be done to protect your people from these
hazards at the time of the disaster?
___ What hazardous materials do you have?
___ What needs to be done to protect your people from these
hazardous materials after the disaster?
___ What emergency first aid supplies do you have?
___ Where are the supplies?
___ Who would supply other materials you will need to restore
your business, and how will you reach them?
Communications
___ Who needs to be contacted?
___ How do you reach them?
___ What communications capabilities do you have beyond
the normal telephone network?
___ If there are any, how are you going to activate them?
Disaster Survival
___ Immediately after the disaster who needs to know what?
___ Where do you pass the information?
___ How often do they need it updated?
___ What vital functions is your organization responsible for?
___ Which functions play a critical role in restoring your business to normal?
___ In what order do you perform these functions?
___ Who is injured and what is their current condition?
___ How will you contact the family members to let them
know your employees are OK or injured?
___ Who has special skills which can be used when the disaster strikes?
___ Who has special needs?
Training And Reviews
___ Who is trained on First Aid, CPR, etc.?
___ Who needs to be?
___ What other training does your organization need to
guarantee your success in man aging through a disaster?
___ Who is responsible for keeping your information correct?
___ How frequently should it be reviewed?
___ How will the boss know if the information is correct?
If you and your employees can accurately answer all of these questions, you are prepared. If you cannot, chaos will prevail when a disaster strikes!
(Editor’s Note: Judy Bell is the president of the Disaster Survival Planning Network, an international consulting firm, and author of the book, “Disaster Survival Planning: A Practical Guide for Businesses.” This test is excerpted from her book with permission. For more information regarding the services the firm offers, or to order a copy of the book or other products, call (800) 601-4899, or
visit www.disaster-survival.com.). | 
