WALLED LAKE – Emergency preparedness is not just a public sector responsibility. Private sector makes up over 80 percent of the response capabilities across the county and can bring assets to the response as fast, if not faster, than our public sector partners. The key is the coordination, both before and during the emergency.
However, your private sector needs to have a plan. In order to add value to the public sector agencies, you have to understand the public sector?s response protocols. Prior to the response your company needs to address multiple issues. Key questions to address now are:
What is your agency doing to prepare?
Do you have a tested emergency plan?
Does your plan take into account corporate policies such as extended sick leave, vacation, volunteer status, etc?
Does your company have a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) or Business Continuity Plan (BCP)?
Have you trained your staff on emergency response?
Are we prepared for a public health crisis such as a pandemic flu? Do we understand its implications?
Does corporate leadership understand their role in crisis management?
If you can say ?yes? then you have the foundations for a sound emergency plan. These plans should be updated annually and must be tested through exercises. It is this rigorous standard that our public sector agencies live by: plans that are detailed and tested often!
Patriot Services Corporation specializes in both public sector and private sector projects. We understand the challenges facing both parties and can provide subject matter expertise to address the challenges of planning, training, and exercises. We can assist your company in establishing partnerships with your local public sector entities and can create customized plans to address the unique challenges of your organization.
This column was written by Scott Hiipakka, Vice President, Patriot Services. For more information, click on Patriot-Services.Com
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