Business Continuity Planning -- Whether It's Weather Related or Not

September 11, 2019 - Business continuity planning requires knowledge of all the risks you could encounter, especially -- at this time of year -- hurricanes. This week's articles can help you better prepare to be able to mitigate the risks and recover from weather-related and other disasters.



Facilities also need to have a comprehensive plan in place that outlines what they'll do after the fire trucks, hazmat team, utility companies or camera crews leave. (Item #1)   The Disaster Recovery Institute's 2019 Predictions Report included the following disasters and major disruptions. (Item #2)   Here's how to create a business continuity plan that gives your business the best chance of surviving such a disaster. (Item #3)


 The best way to do mitigate hurricane disaster? Have a plan. Here are our five best business continuity tips for hurricane season. (Item #4)   There are several resources freely available to help organizations adapt to climate change, such as those listed in the references of this guide and in  the further reading sections of each chapter. (Item #5)   Here's what to know about hurricanes to create a preparedness plan. (Item #6)

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Weathering the Weather in Hurricane Season

May 15, 2019 - We just observed hurricane preparedness week, and hurricane season will begin June 1. What's the status of your preparedness for the coming storms? As we have seen with recent weather, lack of preparedness can spell disaster, so take some cues from this week's articles and ramp up your plans in advance of the storms ahead.

While there's no way to stop the storm, we're here to tell you that you can ease hurricane-related burdens with a little help from your friends. (Item #1)   As another hurricane season ramps up, here's a rundown of what businesses should know about business continuity and disaster recovery planning. (Item #2)   Here is a sample emergency preparedness checklist to have on hand during storm season. (Item #3)

During the recovery period after a hurricane, organizations should focus on these areas. (Item #4)    Here are four steps to take to maintain technology business continuity during a disaster and when to act -- starting now. (Item #5)   The impact of a storm on the workforce often is not adequately considered, thus downplaying the importance -- and central role -- of the human contribution to an organization's recovery.  (Item #6)


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Shelter-in-Place

March 15, 2017 - There are many reasons that your business might be required to shelter-in-place, including chemical spills, terrorist attacks, flooding, tornados, biological contamination, etc. Do you have a plan for sheltering in place? Supplies and equipment to keep people safe and comfortable for several hours or a day?

What is the difference between shelter in place and lockdown, and when is it appropriate to do each? (Item #1)   When conditions outside get tough, where will building occupants go? (Item #2)   Here's what every landlord needs to know about shelter-in-place orders. (Item #3)

If you perceive any threat in your area that would include a chemical, biological, or radiological hazard, you need to put together a Shelter in Place Kit. (Item #4)   All Americans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. (Item #5)   Here are some sample shelter-in-place procedures to help you plan. (Item #6)


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Shelter in Place

Shelter-in-place orders are used more than you might think. Just last month, UMass Amherst (MA) and Gadsden State (AL) were on lockdown for various reasons. Chemical spills in your vicinity, fires, active shooter incidents and many other situations may required that you shelter in place for some period of time. We’re sure you know that you need water, medical supplies, foot, etc., in order to shelter in place. In this week’s articles are some things you may not have thought of.

When conditions outside get tough, where will building occupants go? (Item #1)   How do lockdown and shelter-in-place situations differ? (Item #2)   Remain calm and carry out the procedures in your plan in the event of any situation. (Item #3)

Temporary SIP is a public protection tool used by communities in the United States and around the world; this guidebook discusses the effective use of SIP in the event of a chemical hazard. (Item #4)    To best prepare your staff for an active shooter situation, create an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), and conduct training exercises. (Item #5)   Here is a general guide for preparing a shelter-in-place plan in the workplace. (Item #6)


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Shelter-in-Place

What kind of a shelter-in-place plan does your organization have? Do you have a designated location, food, water, protective masks, etc.? Will your plan cover every possible reason to shelter in place? It’s probably not possible to prepare for anything that could possibly happen, but are you satisfied you’re ready for the most likely possible reasons? If you have not revisited your plan lately, it may be time to do so and make updates based on current threats in the world right now.

Shelter-in-place may not actually mean staying exactly where you are. (Item #1)   Shelter in Place is designed for those situations in which it is safer for employees to remain in the building than to evacuate. (Item #2)   You can take actions to help protect emotional well-being during a shelter-in-place emergency. (Item #3)

These links will take you to NICS documents and other information related to sheltering in place. (Item #4)   It's important for landlords to be familiar with their shelter-in-place obligations because providing shelter at a residential property requires the cooperation of employees, tenants, and any visitors who happen to be on the property at the time of the emergency. (Item #5)   There are legal issues with sheltering in place that can’t be ignored. (Item #6)


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Building Safety and Security

If you own your building, there are many concerns and regulations to consider. If you rent your space, many of the same issues are also important. As the quote implies, it's about the people first. So, while you want to protect the building and assure its longevity, you first need to have plans in place to get everyone safely out of the building and to keep them safe indoors if required. The concerns addressed in this issue -- civil unrest, for example -- might be good scenarios to test your plan against.

From bad building designs to management that ignores badge rules, here are the top building security mistakes. (Item #1)   An expert explains why smart buildings bring a new range of potential vulnerabilities that need management and mitigation. (Item #2)   Here are some actions that property owning organizations can take to better protect facilities, tenants and employees from civil unrest. (Item #3)

Managers in all settings can benefit from these tips on contingency plans for terrorist attacks. (Item #4)   Occupants can fill key roles in the process of clearing a building. (Item #5)   Making fire extinguishers available is not enough; people have to know how to use them; share this video with everyone. (Item #6)


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Shelter-in-Place

Hurricane season will be with us until November, then winter storms will be coming. Severe storms of any kind could require that you shelter in place in your office building or at home. Other incidents -- accidents, toxic spills, gunshots, etc. -- also could mandate that you shelter in place. This week’s articles focus on how to prepare to shelter in place. Share these with your employees, colleagues and family to ensure everyone is safe in the event of a major storm.

In some cases, sheltering in place may be required by circumstances or by local authorities. (Item #1) If you are told to shelter-in-place, follow the steps below to keep you and your family safe during an emergency. (Item #2)   Shelter-in-place plans at your workplace should include the items in this article. (Item #3)

Are you prepared to stay in your home or office for several days if need be? (Item #4)   Sheltering in place at your workplace is similar to sheltering in place at home, but there are significant differences. (Item #5)   This information from FEMA will help you put together a shelter-in-place kit. (Item #6)


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Shelter in Place

In some emergency situations, the safest thing to do is to remain indoors in a protected area. While we often hear of building evacuations, sometimes leaving the building could be more dangerous than staying inside. In many such situations, local officials may even mandate shelter in place as a course of action. Regardless of why the decision to shelter in place is made, it’s important to have a plan for this action. This week’s articles can help you develop your own shelter-in-place plan or perhaps beef yours up if necessary.

OSHA offers specific procedures for shelter-in-place at a worksite. (Item #1) Here’s a sample shelter-in-place plan that you can use as a model for yours. (Item #2)  Here's what landlords need to know in order to comply with a shelter-in-place order.  (Item #3)

Shelter-in-place situations occur more often than you might think... check this list. (Item #4) Breaking down a BCP into 10 key steps can help facility professionals develop a plan that will best prepare their organizations to resume normal operations as quickly as possible after disaster strikes.  (Item #5) Emergency Evacuation Planning is something quite specific and should not be mistaken for the more general subject of emergency planning. (Item #6)

Shelter-in-Place

Sheltering in place may become necessary in many types of situations, and every workplace should be prepared to do so. A shelter-in-place incident may not require plastic on the windows and duct tape around the doors; it may be a storm or other disruption in which authorities need people off the streets. This issue discusses many aspects of sheltering in place, including a sample plan that you can adapt to your use.

Knowing what to do under specific circumstances is an important part of being prepared to shelter-in-place. (Item #1) In an emergency, people may not be able to rely on their normal systems of communication. (Item #2) Choosing to take shelter is necessary in many emergencies. (Item #3)

These questions are designed to stimulate thinking about important issues regarding sheltering in place. (Item #4) Sheltering in place in your workplace is similar to sheltering in place at home, but there are some significant differences. (Item #5) You can buy ready-made shelter-in-place kits or make your own… good information here to help. (Item #6)

Shelter in Place

There are any number of circumstances that may require you to shelter in place (SIP) at work, at home or at school. Chemical spills are typical situations requiring sheltering in place, but weather and other dangers also may require you to stay indoors. If you don’t cover shelter in place in your disaster response or business continuity plan, it’s time to include it. The articles below can make preparation easier for you.

Can you handle an SIP situation that will keep employees safe? (Item #1) This Red Cross guide to SIP is especially informative. (Item #2) SIP is more than just staying inside… it has to keep everyone safe. (Item #3)

This article addresses some specifics for sheltering in place for small businesses. (Item #4) Building managers have many considerations in an SIP situation; this Q&A can answer many of your questions. (Item #5) This site is just one example of where you can obtain supplies and kits you will need if you have to shelter in place. (Item #6)


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Shelter in Place

This week, shots once again were heard on the campus of Virginia Tech, and a shelter-in-place (SiP) situation followed. We don't know if they had SiP supplies in all the campus buildings, because the situation fortunately did not last very long. But the incident should give us all pause to consider how prepared we are for such a situation. This week's links will take you to sites that will help you plan and prepare.

The CDC offers advice on how to shelter in place. (Item #1) These helpful sites can make your SiP planning easier. (Item #2) This might or might not work for you, but the federal government's new snowstorm policy is worth considering. (Item #3)

ChicagoFirst offers best practice guidelines for sheltering in place. (Item #4) LifeSecure.com has supplies and tools for sheltering in place. (Item #5) QuakeKare.com also offers a line of kits and information for an SiP situation. (Item #6)


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Shelter-in-Place

Chemical spills, storms and other events may require the need to shelter-in-place. If you find yourself in this situation, your organization should be prepared to host its employees until the shelter-in-place order is lifted. This week’s articles will help with those preparations.

You should understand and plan for both evacuating and sheltering-in-place. (Item #1) Depending on your location and the type of event, shelter in place plans will entail different responses. (Item #2) How effective – really – are duct tape and plastic? (Item #3)

Sheltering-in-place demands a safe environment. (Item #4) Experts at Stanford University have concluded that staying put could be the best option in the event of nuclear incident. (Item #5) What are a landlord’s obligations under a shelter-in-place order? (Item #6)


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Shelter in Place

Just a couple of weeks ago, a chemical leak in Pasadena, Texas, forced a Shelter-in-Place (SIP) situation in the surrounding area. This particular SIP order lasted only about four hours, but it could have been worse. At the same time, a gas leak in a San Jose neighborhood also prompted an SIP situation. As you can see, you seldom have any warning of a disruption that can cause you to be ordered to shelter in place. It makes sense, therefore, to be prepared. The following articles can help in your preparations.

There are many difficult aspects of the shelter-in-place process. (Item #1) Here is a general guide for preparing a shelter in place plan in the workplace (Item #2) What must landlord do in the event of an SIP order? (Item #3)

These event-specific guidelines can help in an SIP situation. (Item #4) Portable air cleaners that can filter out toxic gas are making shelter-in-place safe rooms even safer. (Item #5) Our last item is a series to links to supplies of SIP equipment and supplies. (Item #6)

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As H1N1 spreads, are you prepared to shelter-in-place for a few days? A few months?

As the H1N1 swine flu virus is increasing in various parts of the country, some experts are advising that we must be prepared to shelter in place for anywhere from a few days to a few months. We hope it won’t come to that. It is important, however, to make sure we know what to do just in case – and having supplies and information on hand can only be a positive thing. The items below may be helpful to you in your preparations for sheltering in place for any reason that might turn up.

Shelter-in-place and areas of refuge have a place in today’s high-rise buildings. (#1) It's important for landlords to be familiar with their shelter-in-place. (#2) It’s important to understand how “lockdown” and “shelter in place” differ. (#3)

Here are some instructions on how to shelter in place at home, work, or school. (#4) This article provides a collection of techniques that are the accepted practices for achieving maximum safety for employees in shelter-in-place situations. (#5) Where to get emergency shelter-in-place supplies. (#6)

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