ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL
ALL HAZARDS PLANNING
Joanne Hull |October 27, 2014
It’s highly recommended that we go for our annual checkup once a year. No one likes it. It certainly isn’t the high-point of anyone’s day. But, we do it!
There are basic tests we all have to take and others specific to gender, weight, age, and past medical history. You know the drill. We all hate checkups but once it’s over we sure feel relieved and somewhat reassured that we have done something to control our future.
The same is true for your emergency planning. ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL.
Recently, I attended a community tabletop exercise. Captains of local Industry were seated at all of the respective tables ready for the latest tabletop scenario to begin. What I found mind boggling was the fact that most in attendance had no idea how to adjust the only planned scenario they had on file to any other new or proposed catastrophic event. Their plans appeared to be cookie cutter, made from a template and any deviation created stress and confusion.
Now, readers….. I’m sure that you get the point. At the very least, your emergency management and contingency plan needs an annual checkup as well. Your life may depend on it!
Don’t be fooled. Don’t hire someone to create your plan and not be an active participant in the process. Don’t accept a template or a cookie cutter plan and, by all means hire someone with experience. It’s easy to” talk the talk” however, make sure who you hire has” walked the walk”, or, be prepared for that look of confusion when presented with an event other than what was written for you in that expensive three ring binder you paid a good buck for and now call your plan.
Just like your visit to the doctor, you need a specific plan for your specific circumstances, in your specific job or, specific region of the country. Find the weak links even if the weak link is your plan itself or the firm you hired and, step away from the obvious by connecting all of the dots and recognizing anomalies to meet your specific challenges.
Measure your plan against effectiveness re-imagined for the 21st century. Then, an only then, you’ll have the game changer.