Article Archive

Risk Management: Disaster Readiness

Issue: January 2009

By: J. Michael Rosenthal

Wildfires, toxic spills, terrorist threats, earthquakes, flash floods, pandemics, mudslides – we live in a dangerous world. As I wrote a year ago, the medical industry plays a pivotal role in disaster management, relief and recovery. In that column, I stressed the need to plan and prepare for such emergencies, primarily in regard to your office and practice. The focus was on the preparations necessary to allow you to be of service to others.

Today I’d like to concentrate on the human aspect of the medical professional. We have all seen the heroic media clips showing a firefighter on the front lines who does not know if his own home is still standing. The public maintains a perception that, whatever the crisis, the police, firefighters and medical personnel will be there to help. To that end, many doctors and nurses participate in community planning and preparedness for such disasters.

But what about your first line of concern, family? How much planning and preparation has been put into their safety and protection? Will you be able to assist others with a clear mind and sure knowledge that your family is safe?

There are two great resources to help you do just that: www.fema.gov/areyouready/emergency_planning.shtm and www.redcross.org. Both sites have in-depth planning guides to assist you in preparing your household for survival in a disaster.

There are specific categories that each family should address: Escape Routes, Communications, Utilities, Insurance & Vital Records, Animals, Disaster Kits, Special Needs and Safety Skills. This column will provide a brief synopsis of key factors within each category.

Escape Routes

Plan at least two exits from every bedroom (think window ladders from 2^nd floor rooms), and consider all exit plans from the perspective and height of young children. Along with the exit plan, you should also determine places to meet both nearby and distant in case the family is separated.

Communications

Every family member should have a contact card listing all the phone numbers for all family members and out-of-town relatives or friends, office and workplace addresses, and the meeting locations mentioned under escape routes.

Utilities

Certain disasters mandate the shutting down of utility lines. All appropriate family members should know the location and procedure to shut down gas, electricity and water to the residence. Here in California, many homes have automatic shut-offs installed on the gas lines for earthquakes. (Please note that only a professional should turn the gas back on.)

Insurance & Vital Records

If stored at home, make sure that all such important records are stored in a safe place. It’s also a good idea to maintain duplicates in another location, such as a safe deposit box. If you store documents in electronic form on your computer, consider a virtual online backup service. On the insurance side, it is also a good idea to maintain an inventory of your possessions, along with photos.

Special Needs

If anyone in your household has special needs or disabilities, plan accordingly. For instance, the hearing impaired may need a special warning light system. Make sure friends and neighbors are aware of the situation and your plan. Each need or disability – mobility, sight, hearing, language, medication – generally requires special planning. As an example, a friend requires refrigerated medication on a daily basis. They now keep the insulated carrying case next to the refrigerator and keep spare icepacks in the freezer at all times.

Animals

Make sure that all pets have proper identification either on their collars or via embedded chips. Keep carriers and leashes in a specific location that is easily accessible. Have copies of necessary veterinarian records handy. Larger animals, such as horses, will require even further planning.

Disaster Kits

Content lists for disaster kits are readily available. The key factor is either putting one together or purchasing a pre-assembled kit. The last thing you need to do in times of emergency is try to quickly assemble needed items from around your house. Make sure that everyone knows where the kit is kept. And, since cash is king in an emergency, your disaster kit should include a nominal amount of cash.

Safety Skills

This may be second nature to a medical professional, but do all your family members know basic first aid and CPR procedures? Does everyone know how to operate a fire extinguisher – of course, assuming that fire extinguishers are appropriately located within your residence?

In the same manner that a community or workplace has disaster drills, every family should conduct periodic disaster exercises so that the proper actions are second nature. In times of disaster, people do not always have time to think. Your actions will be based upon your disaster plan and your familiarity with it. Practice is essential to ensure that everyone’s actions will be automatic.

Knowing that your family is well trained in the event of an emergency will enable you to meet the community demands placed upon your profession.

J. Michael Rosenthal, ARM is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of California based RGI Insurance Services, specializing in insurance for physicians and medical groups. For more information, visit www.RGIinsurance.com or call 1-800-852-8872.

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