Employee Preparedness Home • Awareness • Supply Kit • Communication Plan & Meeting Place • Evacuation Plan • Coordinate • Response Plan: Roles and Drills
Once you have drafted an emergency response plan, make sure that every employee understands his or her role in that plan. Employees should have a clear idea of what actions they must take in case of emergency. These roles may be partially defined by the job responsibilities or physical capabilities of the employee. Be sure that employees with disabilities are included in planning and that their needs are met.
To ensure that your employees remain aware of their roles in an emergency, it is a good idea to hold regular drills in which they play out their roles. These drills might be artificial, but small details such as turning off the lights can make them seem realistic to a degree. Though it should be clear to the employees that it is a drill, it might be most beneficial for these drills to be surprise drills.
If you have employees with disabilities, make sure that they participate in all drills and exercises. This practice will ensure that they are able to access all emergency evacuation routes. Also, if other employees are charged with helping those with disabilities, make sure that this role is included in all drills.
Also, get involved with local drills and exercises. For example, every year in March the National Weather Service and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management co-sponsor a statewide tornado drill. Contact your local emergency manager for information on emergency drills and exercises in your area.
These drills, along with more elaborate exercises, should all be part of the emergency response plan.
