how to survive the first 48 hours of a disaster · how to survive the first 48 hours of a disaster....

ASIS Annual Convention Las Vegas 2007 – Monday, Sept. 24th 2007

How to survive the first 48 hours of a disaster

Werner Preining, captain, CPP, CASInterpool Security Ltd


applies to enterprises, institutions and organi- zations of any size...

This concept...

If management has more than a lip-to-mouth dedication towards crisis management, both the enterprise and the individual employee will gain from the following presentation

Due to early returning employees the firm will be back in business soon & so maintain the competitive edgeEmployees feel cared about and are prepared –this creates loyalty towards their employer


While most man-made disasters like unwanted explosions, chemical spills, etc., can be reduced with security awareness and preventive measurements, natural disasters cannot be prevented. And they are on the rise.Researchers within insurance companies agree that natural incidents have triplicated within less than a decade.

Changing environment

What used to be „a century event“ now can repeat as often as every couple of years.


Global heating, caused by many issues, is one of the main reasons for weather-escapades.

ASIS European Conference Berlin - March 27th, 2007 - Session # 27

One of many key-factors is the thermohaline process within our oceans. Here heat is transported and redis- tributed into different regions and effects our climate.


How to cope for any mayor disaster that can occur at or near your enterprise location?The answer is multi-fold:

How does it affect the company?

Coping with disasters

How does it affect suppliers, customers and partners?

How does it affect employees & associates?


While a local chemical spill or an explosion at the facility will only affect those employees present and eventually the surrounding area, any natural disaster, special when covering a larger area, will affect those living in the region.

Let‘s go deeper...

Let us concentrate on scenarios caused primarily by natural disasters.

ASIS Annual Convention Las Vegas 2007 – Monday, Sept. 24th 2007ASIS European Conference Berlin - March 27th, 2007 - Session # 27ASIS Annual Convention Las Vegas 2007 – Monday, Sept. 24th 2007

ASIS Annual Convention Las Vegas 2007 – Monday, Sept. 24th 2007ASIS Annual Convention Las Vegas 2007 – Monday, Sept. 24th 2007


Instruct and train your employees how to cope with reasonable emergency situations

What are the benefits...?

The first 48 hours you are on your own!

Not being caught unaware increases their chance to remain without suffering physical and maybe only limited property damage

Further to that, you have your employees back as quick as possible to their duties to get the enterprise back into production


Employees develop loyalty towards their employer if they feel safe and cared about within their working environment

What are the benefits...?

The first 48 hours you are on your own!

Further to that they feel treated like humans and not exploited

Once they have safeguarded their families they report back to work and will do their part of the enterprises emergency plan


It is a fact, like it or not

Past experience both within the United States, Asia and Europe has shown that if an emergency on a larger scale develops, it takes up to approx. 48 hours until governmental actions are noticeable (FEMA, Zivilschutz, etc.)

Although well developed plans exist, until such a machinery comes into action, bureaucratic hurdles and competences are a factor


It you are in mountainous area, away from population...

You need to prepare yourself for more than 48 hours. But this you learn when evaluation your surroundings

Input during the ASIS Berlin Spring conference by a Canadian attendee


Analyze the region your company / facility is situated in

How to proceed?...

A proper risk-analysis will show you what risks to expect and the likelihood to occur

Having the risks analyzed, you advise management about risk mitigation and the remain riskAbove mentioned steps lead towards your Crisis-Management and Business-Continuity Plan


With the Crisis-Management and Business Continuity

Plan you protect the enterprise .... theoretically!!!


You need man-power to make your plan functional -integrate your findings into

your concept


Consider upon a worst case scenario how many persons you can rely on

Have provisions made to arrange for employees transportation to the enterprise

Have a succession plan for those positions that cannot be filled out


What about your human resources???

Analyze the region most of your employees live in

How close do they live towards your company?

What is their main transportation to and from work? Public or private transportation?

Conduct a risk-analysis high lightening on natural disasters


What to do next?Safeguard top-managements commitment towards your actions

Explain the why‘s and why-not that everyone understands what you want to achieve

Teach security awareness to small groups, starting at upper level management and work yourself downwards through the hierarchy


How to motivate?Have some prices and / or rewards or other benefits approved from top management to honor active participants

Such motivators could be an official recognition within the enterprise (employee of the month – associated with an extra pay), benefits like the participation in a raffle for some paid days-off, an extra family vacation, a consideration for a salary-raise or for a new position, ...


Preparing security awareness

In our example most employees live in local communities surrounding the industrial complex near a mayor city

It is flat country, surrounded by some hills and divided by a rather important river


Risks recognized during the analysis that could affect employees

Possible floods during almost 3 seasons, if heavy rains prevail during an extended period of time A temporary rupture within the regions infrastructure (electricity, water, garbage removal, local traffic and food supplies) if above situation continues

During the winter month, snow can become a factor due to blowing winds over the flat terrain. These will create wandering dunes on the roads and bring all traffic to a halt


The regions surrounding hills are built upon an ancient volcanic base. Therefore about all 8 to 15 years some earthquakes can be expected

In the past, their intensity has been between 3 and 9 on the open „Richter-Scale“. Most of the times recorded, their have been 2 to 3 after- quakes, with some but not much less intensity, compared with the first quake

Risks recognized during the analysis that could affect employees


Canned food

Essential items within a household

Bottled water. ½ gallon per day and person

Approved First-Aid-Kit, appropriate for a house-hold

Articles for personal hygiene

One to two flash-lightsOne net-independent cooking source (f.e. gas, camping-stove)One portable radioSeveral spare batteries

One tin opener.....continuing next page


Several long-time burning candles

Essential items within a household

Matches and a simple lighter

Extreme weather conditionsA nuclear or chemical incident

Civil disturbances (not very likely, but ...)

A person living alone and becoming sick

Further to that circumstances can arise which will prevent a person from leaving the house


Emergency traveling utensils

Weather resistant over-clothingInterior clothing for some daysNecessary medication (attention on expiration dates)Hygienic articlesPersonal ID and / or passport

The time of the year (seasons) need to be considered as well

Toys (if children are present)


List of personal belongings

Original documents like birth certificate, insurance policy, vehicle registration, etc.

Bank and saving accountsNumbers of credit cards and c.c. emergency phonePersonal diplomas, proof of citizenship, etc.

An item that can be extremely helpful to have is a file with documents and important information

Other papers of importance to the individual personCopies of all above mentioned papers should be deposited in a banks safe or with relatives in a different area


Employee awareness training in case of possible flood

Most floods do not come unexpected. They are preceded by a lot of rain. The general situation is commented by national WX forecasters When such a situation develops, keep your family's and your emergency equipment ready

Observe the situation closely so you do not get caught by surprise

Be prepared to leave your house Do not leave children unattended

..... continuing


Employee awareness training in case of possible flood

Take care of possible pets and other animals like goats, donkey, etc. Bring goods that may suffer from the basement up to the first or higher floor

Switch all utilities off before leaving the house

Memorize your evacuation plan when you are using a vehicle Make arrangements well in advance for emergency lodging with either family members or friends in a not effected area


Employee awareness training in case of extreme winter conditions (blowing snow)

If such extreme WX-conditions prevail and authorities recommend to stay in house, follow that advise

If you need to leave by car, tell where you go and when you expect to be thereKeep your vehicle‘s tanks full and the car in good technical conditions Have a warm blanket in your car as well as warm winter clothing, including a hat and winter gloves


Employee awareness training in case of extreme winter conditions (blowing snow)

At any given time, have your mobile phone fully charged plus carry a charger in the car

Do not solely rely an mobile communications as cells can be affected by adverse WX as well

If your car gets stuck, keep the engine running and the heater on. Keep one window a small part open to prevent monoxide poisoningStay in the car. If you do not arrive at your anticipated location, help will be on the way


Employee awareness training for other natural disaster

Instruct employees in a similar way about other phenomena like earthquakes, strong winds, thunderstorms, lightening, etc.

Encourage them to share their findings with their co-workers as well as in the second part of an employee security awareness training

Refer your protégées to look into the public phone book. In most countries the first couple of pages give basic advises about emergencies


To develop such a plan is not an easy, but once created and implemented, certainly a rewarding task

Conclusion

Security awareness is not a one time issue but a continuing experience

Finally, there are only WINNERS. Both the enterprise and their employees!


Did you talk to one survivor of a mayor incident?

Suggestion from the audience during the Berlin ASIS conference

Yes, I talked to 3.

Here the outcome:


Thank you for your attention

Photos are courtesy of the Austrian Ministry of Interior and theAustrian Armed Forces

how to survive the first 48 hours of a disaster · how to survive the first 48 hours of a disaster....

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