Be Prepared in Case of Disaster
Planning ahead can prevent harm to people and the bottom line
When severe tornadoes struck six Southern
states in April 2011, the ensuing crisis tested
the mettle of emergency responders. In
Tuscaloosa, Ala., the worst-case scenario
became a reality when an F4 (Fujita scale)
tornado ripped a 6-mile path of destruction through the city’s
most populated areas, causing millions of dollars in damage,
killing 53 people and injuring hundreds.
When the first twister struck the region shortly before 6
a.m. on April 28, the management of a Tuscaloosa medical
center and hospital activated an emergency plan. As a result,
although the tornado passed within 100 feet of the facility,
the hospital was able to provide care and services to thousands
of patients and became a staging area for the distribution
of disaster kits and water.
Such events offer lessons in contingency planning for any
organization. Contingency planning is a difficult discussion every
organization has to navigate, and being prepared requires a
range of solutions. Because every organization’s structure and
circumstances are unique, applying a one-size-fits-all approach
is ineffective when it comes to preparing a business to withstand
a crisis.
Getting it right is critical. Businesses that effectively meet
the challenge of planning for disasters and emergencies are
able to protect critical assets more efficiently, achieve
greater value from their disaster preparedness investment
and deliver a better experience to the people
they serve.
Business Continuity is a Priority
Business continuity involves thorough planning to
prevent harm to staff, property and the bottom line.
When a disaster or emergency strikes, it can threaten
the livelihood of millions of people, affect thousands
of businesses and cause billions of dollars in
damages. It’s no wonder more companies are prioritizing
business continuity management.
A recent Forrester Research survey
conducted for Disaster Recovery
Journal estimates that 72
percent of businesses have
established business continuity
plans, and 25 percent
that have not set up
plans said they intend
to implement them in
the next year. Topping
the list of risk
concerns is IT failure,
followed closely by natural disasters, power outages, fire,
telecommunications failures, epidemics/pandemics and floods.
Simply put, business continuity plans are more than a good
business practice—they are a responsibility to employees, partners,
shareholders and customers. Companies need comprehensive
disaster and emergency security planning to quickly,
efficiently and cost-effectively prepare for and respond to crisis
situations of all types.
Elements of an effective disaster preparedness and emergency
response plan include:
- A customized and flexible approach, incorporating a variety
of manpower and systems that can be adjusted as needed to
the severity and type of crisis.
- Establishment of standard operating procedures (SOP) that
can be implemented as soon as a crisis arises.
- Availability of highly trained and experienced security staff,
including a rapid response team with specialized disasterresponse
officers.
- Establishment of an emergency operations center to coordinate
logistical, regulatory, operational and administrative
processes
Role of Security Officers
Security officers play a central role in disaster preparedness
and emergency response. Well-trained and experienced security
officers are often central players in the aftermath of a disaster.
For example, after the tornado
struck Tuscaloosa, G4S security officers
on duty at the medical center and
hospital that day quickly secured the
facility and volunteered to help the
hospital staff. Security officers assisted
with triage and held up IV bottles in
emergency room hallways that were
stacked three deep with patients. Many
officers worked more than 24 hours
straight and rested only after being ordered
to do so.
Even though two G4S officers’ homes
were leveled by the twister, the officers
reported for duty as soon as they secured
their families. Other officers who
had just ended their shifts returned to
duty to assist in the response effort.
The roles of security officers in an
emergency can range from handing out
water and helping to check on policyholders
to opening and closing down
sites or even handing out teddy bears
and coloring books to children.
Effective use of security officers in other
recent emergency situations include:
- 1,500 officers deployed to support
clients and secure their facilities after
Hurricane Katrina, the costliest
hurricane in U.S. history.
- More than 1,700 security officers
deployed for clients after Hurricanes
Gustav and Ike in 2008, which
caused a combined estimated $46
billion in damages.
- 350 security officers posted along
the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in
the wake of the Deepwater Horizon
oil spill.
- Security officers supporting construction
of a massive berm to protect
an agricultural facility from
Missouri River floodwaters in Omaha,
Neb.
After a disaster, insurers dispatch
teams of adjusters to assess damage
to policyholders’ properties and assist
them in getting back on their feet after
devastating losses. Security officers accompany
the teams to ensure their safety
and security as well as the security of
any facilities, property and equipment
on hand.
Preparing for a Disaster
Preparing for a disaster that may never
happen can be a quandary for businesses
and institutions of all types and
sizes. Ensuring ongoing business continuity
requires that management take
steps to be prepared in case of a disaster,
but investing internal resources and
personnel to prepare for a disaster can
be expensive. However, high expenses
await businesses that are not prepared
when disaster strikes.
Services provided by outside vendors
can help fill the gap in an organization’s
business continuity plan while minimizing
cost and use of internal resources.
Every situation is unique, and it’s
critical that entities work closely with
outside vendors to develop the right
plan and define the role of security officers
in case of an emergency. Most
important is the ability to react quickly,
using established and proven processes
and procedures in the event of a worstcase
scenario.
This article originally appeared in the August 2012 issue of Security Today.