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Sheltering in place is still not top of mind with most organizations, even though they regularly practice evacuation drills. In the event of a chemical or weather-related emergency, however, shelter in place might be the only option you have. This week's articles were selected to focus you on your shelter in place plan and help you preparing your organization and employees for such a situation.

In emergency response operations, a decision must often be made to issue an order for a population to either evacuate or to shelter in place. (Item #1) Of all of the emergency response procedures for commercial buildings, sheltering in place is probably the one that is most disregarded. (Item #2) Sheltering in place in your workplace is similar to sheltering in place at home, but there are some significant differences. (Item #3)

Sheltering in place is designed for those situations in which it is safer for employees to remain in the building than to evacuate; this guideline will be helpful. (Item #4) Circulate this flyer to your employees so they will know what they need on hand if the need to shelter in place arises. (Item #5) Here's one site where you can locate products to use while sheltering in place. (Item #6)

If you are interested in exercising your shelter in place effectiveness, please check out our complete selection of Conduct It Yourself Tabletop Exercises - www.attainium.net/catalog

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"The only thing harder than planning for an emergency is explaining why you didn't."
- Anonymous -

Articles

1. Evacuation vs. Shelter in Place, a Situational Comparison
All emergency managers may someday face the decision to call for an evacuation or a shelter in place action. In the heat of an emergency there is often little time to consider the consequences of this crucial decision. This paper will briefly illustrate similarities and differences that can be used as decision making tools in four selected types of emergencies.
http://www.drj.com/articles/sum00/1303-04.html

2. Preparing Your Building for Sheltering in Place-An Emergency Response Procedure
The idea of sheltering in place is perplexing because it asks building occupants to stay put during an emergency, when the natural human desire is to flee. However perplexing, it is essential that property owners and managers as well as building occupants are prepared for such an event.
http://www.fmlink.com/ProfResources/Magazines/article.cgi?BOMA:boma0106.html

3. Shelter In Place at Your Office: A general guide for preparing a shelter
Discuss emergency procedures with all employees. Explain sheltering in place to your employees or invite the local Fire Chief to explain the emergency warning system and sheltering in place. By having a discussion with all employees about sheltering in place and its use, the team approach can work to implement an effective sheltering plan. This article guides you through a sample SIP plan so you can develop your own.
http://www.lacp.org/2003-Articles-Main/ModelShelterInPlace.html

4. Sheltering In Place: A "Best Practice" Guideline
This document serves as a guideline for implementing a life safety program that includes Sheltering in Place and is intended to incorporate currently known best practices. Performing an exercise that requires the use of Shelter in Place techniques is the best way to demonstrate expectations and to review the process with employees.
https://www.chicagofirst.org/resources/shelter_in_place.pdf

5. Personal Workplace Disaster Supplies Kit
Read what supplies each employee should have on hand in the event of a shelter-in-place situation.
http://www.centralfl-redcross.org/pdfs/workkitfinal.pdf

6. Shelter in place products
This site offers some ideas for the kinds of products you may need and/or want for sheltering in place. This is not an endorsement of the site, merely an example of the types of products available. Send us your favorite sites for purchasing shelter-in-place products.
http://www.21st-century-goods.com/page/21st/CTGY/EMERG