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Emergency preparedness has become a worldwide public health, safety and security issue. Governments, non-government agencies and first-responders are organizing and drilling for a possible pandemic of the H5N1 (avian flu) virus, natural disasters and terrorist events. However, in the wake of 9-11, Hurricane Katrina and the Southeast Asian tsunamis, it is clear that individuals must be self-reliant – whether at work, at home or elsewhere – during the first critical hours, days or even weeks of such an event.
To minimize risk and mitigate damage, each individual and each business must take primary responsibility for their own safety. Many businesses already have backed up their data in distant geographic locations and made other plans for quick recoveries in case their own companies, their suppliers or their customers are impacted. Some businesses and individuals have also stocked emergency supplies at work, at home and in their cars.
To assist MPM clients and their employees who have not made adequate preparations, MPM is listing below a few of the most useful Web pages found among the many publicly available resources in place to help communities, companies and individuals. As new resources are identified, we will post them as well. In addition, please refer to local papers that often run articles with detailed advice on supplies and instructions before hurricanes, snowstorms and during periods of high terrorist risk.
Evacuation procedures are addressed regularly in all buildings we manage, and to that end, we have included life safety and security instructions as well as a list of suggested emergency supplies in your Life Safety Handbook. However, effective preparedness requires that you implement your individual emergency plans.
For Pandemic Influenza
National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC Web site is another primary source of information on pandemic influenza. They also have a hotline—1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)—that is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (TTY: 1-888-232-6348). Or, if you prefer, questions can be e-mailed to inquiry@cdc.gov.
World Health Organization Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)
Pandemicflu.gov
This is the official U.S. Government site for information on pandemic and avian influenza. The material on this site is organized by topic for easy reference.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The USDA is the country’s first line of defense against the disease as it will undoubtedly enter the borders through contaminated poultry or migratory birds.
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)
Interim Guidance for Protection of Persons Involved in U.S. Avian Influenza Outbreak Disease Control and Eradication Activities
For Natural Disasters and Terrorist Events
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DHS is working on a “Business Planning Guide,” which will be posted on the Department of Homeland Security home page and on Pandemicflu.gov as soon as it is completed. Also, for business-specific questions, the DHS has created an e-mailbox—DHSPandemic@dhs.gov.
Emergency Preparedness for Business
Terrorism—Preparing for the Unexpected
American Red Cross
Ready - Prepare, Plan, Stay Informed
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