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Emergency Action Plans and Continuing to Serve Programs and Plans

Background

The George Washington University TeamGreg Shaw

Craig HarnerChanelle GutariKeith Domerese

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Our Goal

Provide Faith Based Organizations (FBOs)/Houses of Worship (HoWs) with

guidance and tools to assist in developing, testing and maintaining meaningful Emergency Action Plans

(EAPs) and Continuing to Serve (CTS) Plans and Programs consistent with their

individual needs.

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Current Resources Available

DHS Business Continuity Planning Suite: http://www.ready.gov/business-continuity-planning-suite

ReadyNova Preparedness Planners:

Family Preparedness Planner

Business Preparedness Planner

http://readynova.org/

FEMA Developing High Quality Emergency Operation Plans for Houses of Worship:

http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/33007?id=7649

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Our Approach

• Talk to the customers• Understand their concerns and constraints• Determine the current status of programs and plans• Develop and deliver a product (explanation, best

practices and templates) that makes the process as straight forward and as simple as possible but no simpler.

• Test the product with two volunteer FBOs• Deliver the final product

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Five Questions

1. Does your facility have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and if so, what is included in the plan?

2. What areas should be included in the EAP?

3. Does your organization have a CTS Plan, and if so what is included in the plan?

4. What areas should be included in your CTS Plan?

5. What do you need to do and have (resources) to develop and maintain your programs and plans?

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Components of an Emergency Action Plan

• Evacuation Plan• Refuge in Place• Hazards’ Response• Accountability• Emergency Contacts• Preparation for After Emergency• Emergency Kit  

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Best Practices for an Emergency Action Plan

 

• Have Life and Safety at forefront of planning• Have a Plan - arrange a committee with a lead

person to make your plan• Consult with local resources (OEM, Fire, Police,

EMS, other HoWs)• Know the Plan - make sure those who will direct

others know what is required • Practice the plan - have a drill & do an after action

session to improve the plan on a set schedule• Protect assets - determine what is important and

arrange to protect it

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Components of a Continuing to Serve Plan

• General considerations• Getting started• Authority and Order of Succession• Communication• Vital Records and Data • Alternate Facilities• Maintaining your CTS Program and Plan

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Best Practices of a Continuing to Serve Plan

• Inclusive effort – multiple perspectives internal and external• Consult with local resources (OEM, Fire, Police, EMS, other HoWs)• Someone has to be in charge• Should follow the premise that everything should be as simple as

possible but no simpler (adapted from a quote by Albert Einstein)• Identify services• Prioritize services• Identify resources required and available• Consider services and resources based upon realistic scenarios• Decide on what you will do to Continue to Serve – Resume,

Recover, Restore• Develop action oriented lists, locations, and instructions in the

format of check off sheets that support the accomplishment of required tasks

• Train, practice, review, revise and improve!

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Questions, Recommendations &Contact Information

Your questions & recommendations

pleaseGreg Shaw: glshaw@gwu.edu

Craig Harner: harner@verizon.net