The actions taken following a crisis can help determine the severity of the situation’s impact on an organization. This is why companies must have emergency plans in place. In this post, we talk about the importance of planning for the worst and how to prepare for the most disruptive incidents.

What Is Emergency Planning?

Emergency planning is a company’s process to minimize the effects of a crisis or incident. It involves taking the necessary precautions and preparing for the aftermath to protect the community and its business operations.

An emergency plan should include procedures and responsibilities designed to help employees feel safe and secure during a crisis. This is done by establishing clear communication channels with the local emergency response agencies.

Types of Emergencies To Prepare For

Although an emergency can happen at any moment, businesses must have a plan to minimize the effects of a crisis. This can be done through the establishment of effective communication channels and procedures.

In 1986, the Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act was introduced to require certain organizations, such as hospitals and local authorities, to have emergency plans. Being prepared can help minimize the effects of a crisis and make the company more resilient.

Terrorism

The threat level from local and international terrorism is severe in the U.S. The unpredictable nature of these attacks makes them more frightening for employees. Attacks can also affect people who are traveling to and from work. Terrorist attacks can cause unprecedented anxiety and disruption for businesses and their employees.

Fires

Around the world, fires are considered one of the most common disasters that affect businesses. According to an insurance industry group, about 60% of private businesses that have experienced a fire never recover. 

MERLENN®: How Technology is Being Leveraged For Crisis Management

Until now, there has been no effective way to deal with situations that threaten the safety of others. Due to the lack of effective emergency planning and response procedures, many people cannot save their lives during an unpredictable event. 

Through the creation of MERLENN®, the team at Counterspherics was able to identify the hidden corners of unpredictability and develop a strategy to improve emergency personnel’s response time.

Unlike other organizations, businesses can’t automate their disaster response. Instead, they can use their existing processes and procedures to plan and respond quickly to minimize the impact of a disaster on their operations. This strategy aims to keep their doors open to allow their employees to continue working.

Terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and manmade threats can affect people differently. For instance, riots or workplace violence can affect different regions. Through the creation of MERLENN®, the team at Counterspherics was able to develop a strategy to help organizations create an effective and consistent response to natural and human-made crises.

MERLENN® differentiates itself by allowing those most susceptible to a crisis to receive real-time updates about the situation at hand. This eliminates the need to react rushedly and helps those who need critical information to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, many people cannot act immediately due to the lack of information.

The lack of timely information and the need for calm and measured reactions can lead to the tragic consequences of an already awful situation. Humans are not robots and must react a certain way to ensure they can adapt to conditions. With the help of MERLENN®, people can now respond to threats and hazards in a standard and well-defined manner.

Technology Use Case: MERLENN®

New technology is constantly changing the way emergency planning is conducted. With the ability to monitor and manage the safety of employees, it’s now easier than ever to implement effective emergency planning procedures.

Here’s a use case of how counterspherics.com is tackling technology-centered crisis management through MERLENN®.

Global Terrorism

On 3rd April 2017, a terrorist attack by a suicide bomber took place on the St. Petersburg Metro, killing 11 in the metro station. MERLENN® can be placed into action in situations like this. Operators warn travelers away from the affected area, provide them heightened awareness information, and account for their safety through two-way “Are you safe?” messages, including follow-up emergency instructions. Merlin by counterspherics.com can ensure that every stage of crisis management is handled with enhanced due diligence.

Acts of Violence

An act of physical force that threatens the safety of others around the facility can place hundreds, if not thousands, in danger. There must be a clear communication channel between local authorities and the most susceptible at times like this.

Through MERLENN®, operators can provide real-time or near real-time situational tracking and information to safety personnel, staff, and faculty in case the situation overflows beyond the residence. MERLENN® keeps those with a need to know aware and ready until the all-clear is given.

Ensuring The Safety of Thousand Through MERLENN®

To learn more about how MERLENN® is used by researchers worldwide to understand the capabilities of technology in mitigating disasters, readers are encouraged to check out their video-animated case study about the 2011 Japan triple disaster. The study showcases how a California university used its system to provide real-time alerts and instructions to their students and families in Japan on where to go, what to do, and how to get out of the country after the disaster. Counterspherics Labs is constantly working on safety and threat management systems to help people and businesses in crisis events.

You can reach out to them today for more information.

About The Editors and Counterspherics®

Rushton Prince and Henrie Watkins are Safety and Disaster Preparedness experts. Both have extensive backgrounds as First Responders, Safety Technology Implementers, Human Protection, and Occupational Health and Safety Trainers. 

Counterspherics, the company behind MERLENN® has 22 years of experience in providing crisis response infrastructure and boasts a 100% customer satisfaction rate. To view illustrated examples of the software in action, follow Counterspherics on YouTube.

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