Are You Ready to Use Your Defibrillator?

You might have one of those emergency defibrillators in your office or building. It seems they're being installed everywhere lately. But, does anyone know how to use it? Much like the fire extinguisher, if no one can use it, it won't be much help when you need it. Yours may have an automatic alarm to call for help if the case is opened, but it will still take some time--perhaps critical moments--for first responders to arrive.

The recent story of the Southwest Airlines passenger who died from an in-flight heart attack brings attention to the need for training on this valuable emergency tool. Flight attendants didn't immediately start to use the defibrillator because the ailing passenger had a hairy chest. They knew that a hairy chest would interfere with the functioning of the device, but they apparently didn't realize that these emergency defibrillators come with a shaving kit for just such an eventuality. We can't know whether prompt use of the defibrillator would have saved the man, but clearly there was a tragic gap in training.

Again, it takes time for first responders to get to you. Training on your emergency plan and tools is crucial to keeping everyone in your place of business--employees and customers--safe in case of a crisis. Make sure enough of your staff know where these tools are and how to use them.

Of course, if you are the one with the heart condition and the hairy chest, make sure your co-workers and travel companions know it is okay to shave your chest in case of emergency!

Read the news report here.

What's Your Emergency Response Plan?

Do you have an emergency response plan? Do you have what you need to leave in a hurry if (when) an emergency strikes your workplace? Can you protect your employees and your clients/customers? As we head into National Preparedness Month, and the kids are back in school, it is a good time to pull together the basics needed in case of emergency. Let's start with an evacuation plan.

Imagine the alarms are blaring and you have to leave NOW! You can smell the smoke, this one is FOR REAL.

Yes, the first responders will show up. But, they have a job to do which is to put out the fire and secure the scene. If you need emergency medical care, they'll take care of you. But, otherwise, it is up to you to look out for your employees and customers. Are you ready?

Do you have comfortable shoes to get out and away from the building? Do you have any employees or clients in the building who will require assistance in getting out?

Are alternate exits accessible and clearly visible?

Are your files backed up? Do you have a grab-and-go thumb drive or packet of key documents?

Do you have a communication plan in place -- for employees and customers? Can you press a button and forward the phones offsite? Do you have all the contact numbers you'll need if you can't get back into your building or if your files and computers are destroyed?

Take the time to make your evacuation plan and practice it with your staff. Start today. You'll sleep better tonight.

1. Check the exits. Make sure all exits are kept clear of obstructions. Set a policy and enforce it.
   
2. Establish a rally point away from the building. Make sure it is accessible.
   
3. Review your file backup process. Make it automatic.
   
4. Put together a key document flash drive or packet. A flash drive can be put on a key ring or ID lanyard so it is always ready.
   
5. Develop a communication plan. Get all employee contact information--home, cell, alternate numbers and email addresses. Make sure to have information for key clients, suppliers, insurance agents, etc. as well. Establish a protocol for keeping in touch if the building and/or phones and/or email are not available. Put together some website and social media posts ahead of time that you can edit quickly. Put them on that flash drive. Work with your phone company, corporate office, or a receptionist service to set up an emergency call forwarding system.
   
6. Assign responsibilities to specific employees. Everyone should have a back up, since the emergency will always happen when the assigned person is out sick or on vacation!
   
7. Practice your plan. 

Congratulations. Don't you feel better now?

Assessing Risk and Making a Plan -- The Ben Carson Method

When you consider a risky choice, how do you evaluate it? Do you worry about everything that could go wrong? Or do you focus on the positive possibilities to the exclusion of potential loss?

I recently read the 2007 book Take the Risk by Dr. Ben Carson, the noted pediatric neurosurgeon. In it, he discusses the method he uses to evaluate choices. Carson calls it B/WA – best/worst analysis – because it takes into consideration the best that could happen if you act, the worst that could happen if you act, the best that could happen if you don’t act, and the worst that could happen if you don’t act. The analysis becomes more complicated as you factor in the who, what, where, when, how, and why of the specific situation, but the overall outline remains, along with the bottom line. In the book, Carson describes numerous examples from his own experience to flesh out the use of the B/WA.

Disaster preparedness is all about our approach toward risk. Concerns about what hazards might befall us shouldn't paralyze us, but should provoke thoughtful consideration. Some potential disasters are small, and there will be little difference between the best and worst outcomes—think a couple inches of snow. Others are significant and the worst outcome could be devastating—think a week-long power outage following an ice storm.

What is the best that could happen if you have no disaster plan in place? Of course, the best would be that no disaster ever occurs and you've spent no time or money on an unnecessary activity. But what is the worst that could happen? The business closes because you weren't prepared for the loss of contact with customers, employees who couldn't get to work, loss of data, interrupted supply chains, damage to the building, and so on.

On the flip side, what is the best that could happen if you take the time to make a disaster plan  with an eye toward resilience? You might not be able to stay open without interruption, but you’ll probably be back before your competition. You might even be able to help your community recover and build a new and loyal customer base. What’s the worst that can happen if you make a plan and no disaster ever hits? You've spent a little time evaluating your business and making your employees feel more secure and valued. 

Preparing for the Expected

There is a lot of talk about preparing for the unexpected, but once we've thought about it and prepared for it (or bought insurance for it), is it really unexpected? I would argue that we prepare for a set of eventualities that, while uncertain in timing or probability, are well within the realm of possibility. In reality, we are preparing for the expected.

We lock the doors, because we expect that otherwise someone will come in and steal. We get the oil changed, because we expect that otherwise the engine will be damaged. We prepare for heavy rain by installing a drainage system, because we expect that otherwise we will have water in the basement. We purchase property insurance, because we expect to otherwise suffer financial ruin following a fire.

Somehow, though, preparing for a disaster by setting aside some food and water, making a communication plan with the family and employees, establishing a shelter area, or making the office or home less vulnerable by adding some security, can wait until tomorrow, or the day after that. Maybe it can wait, maybe no disaster--natural, human-caused, or technological--will ever hit your business or home. But, wouldn't you sleep better if you could expect to bounce back if and when the disaster hits?

Preparing for Hurricanes, No Matter What the Name

A recent study out of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign proclaims that "Female hurricanes are deadlier than male hurricanes." The study has sparked some debate, not the least of which centers on the methods. Rather than focus on the methodological questions, or the findings of the authors themselves, my interest is the broader question of why people don't take preparedness more seriously in general. (Here is a link to a National Geographic article reviewing both the study and its detractors.)

Given that hurricanes rarely impact the Cincinnati area--with the notable exception being Hurricane Ike in 2008, that left many without power for a few days to over a week and resulted in $553 million in damage claims--hurricane preparedness is not at the top of my to-do list. However, we do get plenty of other storms here, causing plenty of headaches and damage. Tornadoes, floods, winter storms, and heat emergencies are the main natural disasters facing this area. 

In some ways, we can become pretty complacent about our response to these types of disasters. We've seen the lengthy reports, often preempting regular programming, then the heavily-hyped storm passes us by. While we may be momentarily thankful, many are irritated by proactive school closures and other cancellations that end up seeming to be more of an inconvenience than a wise precaution. When a storm does hit the area, it probably won't impact our neighborhood. Ho-hum.

Sometimes, ignoring the need for preparedness is a defense mechanism. Natural disasters are beyond our control. Reporting labeling storms "snowmaggedon" or "snowpocalypse" is meant to attract attention, but is it too much? Do we take the fear and turn it into a joke to avoid panic? The potential to lose your home or office in a storm can be just too overwhelming to imagine. If we worried about every possible danger, we'd be paralyzed trying to figure out what to do next. But, while the disaster itself is certainly beyond our control, putting some precautions in place is completely under our control.

Or is it that we just have other things to do? Life is very busy these days. 

But when a storm does find you, will you be left in the dark? Office and home preparedness don't have to be overblown and expensive. A weather radio, knowing where the candles and/or flashlights and batteries are, a bit of food and water in the basement (not on the floor), boots or sneakers in the trunk of the car, a designated shelter area at the office, and a communications plan to ensure that everybody gets the word and gets to the safe place don't cost much in terms of money or time. And with current weather forecasting technology being what it is, you may even have time once the reports begin! (Unless you need a snow shovel. Or milk.)

Of course, the above list is a bare-bones start. I could go on and on. (And I will as time goes on!) But it is a start, and I'm betting you'll feel better if you take these basic steps at home and at work. And you may even be motivated to delve deeper and do some more. At least, I hope so. No matter whether it is Hurricane Betty or Snowmageddon. 

Who's Afraid of a Little Old Zombie?

Have you heard, FEMA is preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse? Homeland Security and the Centers for Disease Control are, too. (Check out these examples: CDC Preparedness 101 Zombie Apocalypse,  Community Preparedness Webinar--Zombie Awareness)

What? I thought zombies were make believe?

Of course they are, but, if you are prepared for the zombie apocalypse, you can surely handle any "normal" disaster that comes your way. Zombies, creepy as they are, are popular right now, and it is hoped that the preparedness lessons might stick.

Even Pinterest is preparing: Zombie Survival search results. Maybe a little over-the-top, but if that's what it takes to get you motivated, what's the harm?

So, if you did have to shelter-in-place from the zombies or evacuate ahead of them, would you be ready? What about when the tornado warning sounds? Or when the flood waters are rising? Or the earthquake strikes?

Some basic hurricane preparedness guidelines from FEMA can be applied to many hazards. First There Were Zombies Then Came Hurricanes.

Did You Hear That?

Did you know that warning sirens are only meant to warn those who are outdoors? If you are inside, especially in a noisy environment or well-sealed building, you won't--and aren't supposed to--hear them. In a place with piped in music, or no radios allowed, how will you get the warning?

You should have a weather radio. These systems also warn of other emergencies that might require taking cover or evacuation. They aren't expensive, and they can save your life.

Also, there are smart phone apps that push warnings. Some systems are starting to automatically include these apps with the phones, but for now you'll need to make sure you have one.

Oh, and when you hear the warning, on your radio, app, or the siren, take heed. Don't go outside to see what is happening!