Developing an Emergency Response Plan
If properly developed an emergency response plan reduces risk. Right away this should make you ask yourself two questions – “How?” and “Does our Plan do this?” To reduce risk you can either increase system effectiveness or reduce consequences. A properly developed Emergency Response Plan is a primary method of decreasing consequences. The purpose of developing an emergency response plan is to mitigate exposures if preventive measures fail.
In developing an emergency response plan, you need to ask yourself four basic questions –
- What can happen?
- How will we respond?
- Who will respond?
- What do we need to respond?
Emergency Response Plans –Establishing Your Requirements
BPS has spent the last two decades identifying, assessing and reducing risk for clients. We have developed a depth of knowledge in the proper response protocols in dealing with security emergencies based on client-specific requirements. While the emergencies may be similar, response protocols differ dependent on a client’s response organization, risk processes, local and other regulatory requirements, etc.
BPS develops emergency response plans that meet client needs, and the requirements of governmental and regulatory agencies that include Local and State Health Departments, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency and others. BPS’ experience in preparing agency approved plans will save you time and money versus developing plans in-house.
Emergency Response Plans – Process Oriented Plan Development
BPS uses a technique known as process mapping to develop incident action plans. A properly structured process map accomplishes three objectives.
- It establishes critical processes from the time the incident is discovered until the incident is brought under control and recovery actions are initiated.
- The process is used to identify who is responsible for accomplishing specific tasks during the course of the emergency.
- In the process it reveals the training strategy required for personnel with responsibilities during security emergencies.
Working with your internal teams, we develop a prioritized list of incidents that are specific and prioritized for your site. Through use of our process mapping techniques, we will help you:
- Establish a framework and processes to manage all identified emergencies
- Establish response procedures
- Mitigate single points of failure
- Establish a response plan that included required notifications
- Focus on man-made threats
- Continue focus on natural disasters / events
Thinking about Emergency Response during an emergency is too late. Hopefully the emergency will never occur; but before one does; let BPS help you prepare for them.