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 such an event.

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)    

As always, we look forward to hearing your comments & insights regarding business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like us to cover, email me at [email protected].

Bob Mellinger, President
Attainium Corp

1. Coping with Shelter-in-Place Emergencies

Sheltering in place can disrupt our routines and challenge our ability to tend to responsibilities, such as work or caring for loved ones. We may become nervous or uncomfortable when sheltering in place. This information from the Red Cross can help you cope emotionally with this type of emergency.
http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog
/m17540377_Coping_with_ShelterinPlace_Emergencies.pdf

2. Know When and How to Shelter-in-Place

In an emergency, local officials may tell you to seek safe shelter or "shelter-in-place." Shelter-in-place means to stay inside or go in the nearest building when a disaster strikes. It is a way for you to stay as safe as possible until the emergency is over.
http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/BePrepared
/IndividualsAndFamilies/Pages/KnowWhenandHowtoShelterinPlace.aspx

3. Learn How to Shelter in Place: In the Workplace

The appropriate steps depend on the emergency situation. If you hear a warning signal, listen to local radio or television stations for further information. You will be told what to do, including where to find the nearest shelter if you are away from your "shelter-in-place" location. Check with your workplace to learn their plans for dealing with a hazardous materials emergency.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/shelter/work/

4. Are You Ready to Shelter in Place during Ebola Outbreak?

We have to be on guard for a myriad of threats. You may be prepping for one thing, but find out another disaster you didn't even anticipate has occurred. This is the main reason to broadly prepare for disasters; plan for what your family needs to survive instead of niche or specific issues. For instance, you know that no matter what happens, you will need to eat. You know you will need water and you know you will need shelter. You will need all of this no matter if the super volcano explodes, Martians invade or you have a tornado wipe out your town.
http://thesurvivalplaceblog.com/tag/shelter-in-place/

5. Shelter in Place at Your Office - A general guide for preparing a shelter in place plan in the workplace

It's important to know the basic steps of sheltering in place, what to do beforehand, and to make a plan. The article provides an example of a plan that a business could develop for shelter in place actions. You should develop your own plan with an employee planning team.
http://emergency.downtowndistrict.org/external/content
/document/5487/1987378/1/Business_ShelterInPlaceAtYourOffice.pdf

6. Emergency Supply List

All Americans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. Following is a listing of some basic items that every emergency supply kit should include. However, it is important that individuals review this list and consider where they live and the unique needs of their family in order to create an emergency supply kit that will meet these needs.
http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1390846764394-dc08e309debe561d866b05ac84daf1ee/checklist_2014.pdf