Readying a Company for a Catastrophic Event: A Template for Success

Disasters are possible -- maybe inevitable. Although their consequences may be uncontrollable, the effects are, to some extent, and in many cases, quite controllable, if proper attention is given to planning for a disastrous event.An organization cannot necessarily depend on help when a disaster strikes. It must be prepared to tackle the disaster on its own. This is especially true if the event is area wide, regional, or national in scope.This book essentially is a stand-alone publication that provides the "how to" ready an organization for a catastrophic or lesser event. It is a template for an organization to internally develop in a cost-effective manner a plan to cover prevention techniques to minimize potentially adverse consequences from a disastrous event; how to prepare for an event, such as, planning, training personnel, and acquiring and maintaining the supplies and information that will be crucial in responding to and handling a crisis event, as well as recovering from the event. Strategic methods are given on these processes, whether the event is natural, technological, or man-made. The disaster management system is defined through its seven principal tools. Numerous examples are given to facilitate a better understanding of the disaster management system. Required teams and task forces are identified, as well as internal and external information that may be needed, Guidelines are given for determining an organization's critical assets; determining their vulnerability and rating and ranking critical assets. Other areas covered include pre- and post-financial issues; impact determination; fiscal analyses and decisions needed to be made (pertinent questions to be asked) in order to make prudent decisions); organizational areas of concern (legal, security, HR, business, etc.); incident and crises responses to be undertaken; plans to be developed; training of personnel; recovery and closeout operations; tabletop exercise scenarios; and much more.