Planning, private sector support are keys to preparation
Disasters from floods to earthquakes to fires can test the coping ability of even the most well-prepared local governments. But the pressure and potential damage are likely to be even greater for communities whose leaders have not developed effective strategies to deal with potential catastrophies.
With that in mind, the following are important steps in formulating such a strategy:
- Create a detailed, written emergency plan
This may sound like a basic point, but a significant number of local governments have not established such a plan;
- Hold regular meetings to critique the plan
An emergency plan must be a living, dynamic tool that is discussed frequently.
It is important to analyze the plan critically and to discuss any changes in the community’s make-up and infrastructure that may affect the plan;
- Invite businesses to participate in meetings
Support from the private sector is often the weakest link in the emergency response chain for local governments. Since the response capabilities of city and county agencies are overwhelmed at some point during many disasters, officials consider this weak link to be a major problem.
Businesses bring a wealth of experience and insight to the table, and inviting business leaders to participate in regular emergency planning meetings will give all parties a chance to get to know one another.
Meeting for the first time in the midst of a crisis is not likely to be the most effective approach. After all, teams play better when they practice together first; and
- Conduct real-life walk-throughs of emergency responses
Emergency professionals often refer to established disaster plans as ‘pencil plans’ — they look good on paper, but the plans’ inherent problems may appear only during a physical walk-through.
Such problems will be much easier to deal with during a training exercise than during a rapidly unfolding emergency.
This article was written by Jim Burkhardt, manager, government programs for Hertz Equipment Rental, Reston, Va.