BOMA International Releases Preparedness Top Ten List For National Preparedness Month

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 30 Aug 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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September is National Preparedness Month and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has released a list of ten proactive steps property professionals can take to ensure their tenants, staff and buildings are safe in an emergency or natural disaster. With hurricane season in full swing and experts predicting an increase in cases of the H1N1 virus this fall, now is the time to revisit preparedness plans. To help property professionals, BOMA has compiled a preparedness best practices list.

"Preparedness is essential for property professionals as they strive to protect tenants, buildings and business operations against a variety of threats," said BOMA International Chair and Chief Elected Officer James A. Peck, RPA, FMA, senior director of asset services, CB Richard Ellis. "A well thought out, regularly reviewed and practiced emergency preparedness plan is the best defense we have against any emergencies."

An effective preparedness plan includes an emergency response plan, a communications strategy and a blueprint for business continuity. Here is a list of tips to help property professionals start planning now:

1. Review your plan. Regularly go over your building's emergency preparedness plan with your team to ensure everyone is familiar with all aspects of emergency protocol.

2. Practice makes perfect. Have your preparedness team take part in tabletop exercises, in which team members walk through various emergency scenarios and propose responses to "what if" questions.

3. Involve your tenants. Make certain all of your tenants are aware of the building evacuation procedures and encourage them to participate in evacuation drills.

4. Communicate. Develop a multi-layered crisis communication plan that is fast and effective in reaching tenants, local authorities and agencies, and the media.

5. Stay alert. Sign up for daily alerts to monitor weather conditions and cases of pandemic influenza in your area.

6. Work with authorities. Review local evacuation procedures and identify the agency that will issue evacuation orders.

7. Cross-train staff. Identify and provide cross-training essential personnel to provide critical services.

8. Revisit HR policies. Determine how your company's leave and salary policies will apply in emergency situations, such as a pandemic flu outbreak, when a significant portion of your workforce may be unable to come to work.

9. Operate remotely. Consider identifying off-site work facilities or telecommuting capabilities to ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster.

10. Find the latest resources. For the latest information and resources on H1N1, visit BOMA's Pandemic Flu Resources site. BOMA knows buildings. Visit the BOMA bookstore to order these publications: The Property Professional's Guide to Emergency Preparedness; Are Your Tenants Safe? BOMA's Guide to Security and Emergency Planning; Pandemic Influenza: Are You Prepared?; and When Disaster Strikes, What Really Matters?.

For more information, visit http://www.boma.org.

Source
BOMA International

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