How Facility Management Companies Prepare for Emergency Situations
Ensuring the safety and security of its property is necessary for a facility management company as its reliability depends on this factor. Besides, clients also expect their facility management company to be well-prepared with a detailed plan to deal with emergency situations.
Facility management companies need to consider many aspects to formulate plans. Planning for it beforehand simplifies its implementation whenever necessary. Considering the below-mentioned points is imperative to devise a realistic or feasible plan to manage emergencies.
1. Risk assessment
A facility may have some potential hazards and risks. For a facility management company, gaining an insight into them is necessary before acting on the steps to counter an emergency.
Most emergencies in facilities have some common threats and attack scenarios. As far as the threats to facilities are concerned, they can be either from indoors or outdoors. Day-to-day analysis of such risk factors is the first step in formulating an effective plan to deal with emergencies.
2. Preparation of crisis response
Contingency plans and protocols play a vital role in the successful response to an emergency. Deciding on them is possible only after making a careful risk assessment. After carrying out a risk assessment, a facility management company can start drawing up contingency plans for handling an emergency.
A facility management company can do so systematically by using diagrams and written procedures. This way, it can distribute tasks and specify them for different individuals. Using Diagrams and written procedures to draw up a plan for dealing with a crisis help remove complications linked with the plan of action and the process of communication among individuals to handle an emergency.
3. High-level training for personnel
A contingency plan for an emergency involves protocols and evacuation routes. Security personnel must be familiar with them in order to use them effectively. The best way to familiarize security personnel with protocols and evacuation routes is to provide them with the requisite training. In addition, they must apply their acquired skills or knowledge in practice sessions for possible emergencies.
4. Inclusion of current technology
Modern technology and access to it play a critical role in determining the time to respond to an emergency. The latest technology involving video and data feeds helps reduce response time in the hour of need.
5. Recognition of business-critical systems
A business may have a wide range of systems. ranging from HVAC to communications equipment, electronic equipment, and more. Some systems are likely to be at a higher risk than others. Identifying such systems is necessary. Identifying business-critical systems improve preparation for an emergency.
6. The choice of an asset-tracking system
A company may have a wide range of resources, ranging from business data to IT and other assets. Tracking them manually can be next to impossible. Installing an asset tracking system can help a facility management system monitor all its assets with ease.
7. Connectivity with emergency services and law enforcement agencies
Prior coordination with emergency services and law enforcement agencies can expedite the response time to help a facility management company quickly respond to an emergency.
Final thoughts
Prompt action is necessary to effectively deal with an emergency. A detailed and feasible plan makes it simple and easy. By formulating a strategy with the inclusion of the above elements, a facility management company can analyse and respond to emergencies with competence. This way, it can ensure the safety of both its clients and personnel.
