Our mantra is ‘make a plan, pack a bag, take action!’ This applies to students, faculty and staff whether you are at home, at work, in the car – everywhere! No matter what your role at NC State, our team members are our most important resource. Individual preparedness is a huge deal as teams are only as prepared as the sum of its parts. If something happens at home and you are unable to come to work, what’s the preventative planning and who back fills you? Can we make sure this person knows that need to cover and knows their roles so they know how to implement them?
Step 1 – Staff Preparedness
Personal planning is not hard and more than likely, you have already done some of this! Understanding hazards at home is first. Building emergency kits is second (and this includes lots of water!). Developing family communication plans and testing them. Practicing emergency drills as a family. Preparing for severe weather and that next hurricane. These are all components of personal preparedness that we all should be completing–and we need to move on it! There are many resources available for preparedness planning and taking action:
- Pack Ready Planning –
- Develop emergency supply checklists
- Discuss shelter in place planning
- Confirm communication plans
- Participate in a CERT class (Community Emergency Response Team), sponsored by NC Emergency Management.
Then, for every training session you attend, document this in your Chapter 6!
Step 2 – Identify Recovery and Mission Continuity Teams
Think about the expertise and strengths your team members have to offer and plan for their role in recovery efforts. Your recovery teams are the people in charge of specific overarching tasks under your plan–those parts of implementing your plan that covers your whole department, not specific to any one critical function. Examples might include a team in charge of employee accountability, that calls everyone to check if they are safe and provide information on where and when to report to work. Or a team in charge of the facility who manages the logistics of resuming operations at the alternate facility should a move be necessary.
- Identify a list of teams to support your department during continuity of operations.
- Update communication information in Chapter 1 and 3.
Next month, we will address vital records and program and succession planning.
Pick a planner and we will be glad to help you get started and continue planning. Remember that we are always happy to help with the entire plan process if your preference is to set up time to tackle the whole plan as these are required for campus and should be continually reviewed!
Call us – 919-515-9657 or email any of our team for assistance!