add weather phenomena to your disaster plan

How To Add Weather Phenomena Into Your Disaster Plan

In Strategy Resources by Brandt A. Handley

Disaster planning includes everything from acts of nature to acts of terrorism and even threats of pandemic diseases. While a well-rounded approach is key, one area that might get less attention is weather phenomena. No matter where your Middle Market facilities are located, inclement weather needs to be included in your disaster planning.

How To Plan When You Have Sporadic Weather Events

If you have sporadic weather events, consider yourself lucky! But, don’t leave weather entirely out of your disaster plans. For instance, in the Southern US, you might rarely see snow. However, a tiny amount of snow might shut everything down, so it must be planned for.

Ask for input if you aren’t certain what could happen or when it would merit action. First, you might want to consult with older companies in your area. Next, look up historical events, if pertinent. Lastly, work with your local weather watchers and meteorology organizations to get some vital information.

You might never need to use these sporadic plans. However, having plans in place will save you immensely when a once in a lifetime event occurs.

What To Consider When You’re Located In A Weather Hot Zone

If your Middle Market organizations locations happen to be in heavy weather area, you probably have a lot of experience with these events. Tornados, winter weather, earthquakes, flooding, and hurricanes can all severely impact business for extended periods of time. Thus, you likely need to think of more long-term solutions. The potential impact will be far greater than from a single storm. Physical damage to your buildings and wiped out infrastructures might be a much more likely scenario.

Since your processes and plan are probably very well documented, your focus might instead be on how you can improve both your customers’ and employees’ lives during extreme weather events.

For optimum planning:

  • Create redundancies so some services continue during weather events
  • Establish emergency locations to provide limited services and support
  • Restructure or reduce your office footprint through telecommuting and outsourcing
  • Schedule for reduction of production during typical severe weather seasons
  • Straddling The Fence Of Keeping Employees And Assets Safe While Maintaining Business

    First and foremost, it is imperative you work to keep your employees and assets safe and secure – they are the keys to your success.

    Know how your emergency services work. Develop a solid understanding of your local weather patterns. And, prepare decisions well in advance to be ready when it’s needed..

    Many of your Middle Market employees might not be concerned, but it is your job as a leader to think for all your employees. Place their safety at the top of mind. Consider employees’ mental well-being as well as physical security when your policies were designed. Avoid putting them in a tough spot of feeling they must risk injury or peril under threat of termination. Design solutions that allow them to continue helping you through weather phenomena without being in danger.

    Plan for the length of time your assets will be under threat. Take all the necessary security precautions and preventative measures. Implement detection products or automation to protect production processes or infrastructure.

    Regardless of where your Middle Market organization is located, a robust disaster plan that accounts for weather phenomena is essential for being prepared and continuing to provide high levels of service to your employees and customers.

    So what’s in the Mighty Middle Market for me? — get it right now at www.Go4ROI.com.