Are Your Employees Prepared for a Disaster?

Disasters and emergencies can affect anyone at any time. Do you and your employees have the plans and supplies in place to help withstand the first three to five days after a disaster? Employee preparedness can be the difference in whether your business is able to effectively recover from a disaster. The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management suggests three steps to take to prepare for an emergency.

1. Make a Plan – Determine how you will contact your family, and get back together, if you are separated during an emergency. Be sure to identify what you will do in various situations. More information is available at www.ReadyVirginia.gov and www.MakeaPlan.org.

2. Assemble a Kit – An emergency kit should contain basic supplies to help you withstand a disaster. It’s best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Employees should also consider a smaller kit for their office, including snack foods and other appropriate items, in case it’s necessary to shelter in place while at work.

3. Stay Informed – The most convenient way to stay up-to-date about local emergencies is to register for the Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN), which delivers important emergency alerts, notifications and updates during a major emergency, and weather and traffic alerts. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean. Businesses can even add up to five employees, such as security officers or communications offices, so that those with responsibilities of informing employees will know what’s happening and can share with your workforce.

The Office of Emergency Management would like to give you and your colleagues the tools to prepare for an emergency. If you or your business are in need of a presentation about emergency preparedness or other emergency-related topics, contact Marcelo Ferreira at 571-350-1013, TTY 711.

The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Information Web page and the county’s emergency information Web page are also helpful resources and feature valuable information for businesses and employees alike.