• Conducting a risk analysis is an important start to an emergency management plan.
• Employers should identify the products, services and operations that are critical to the business, as well as internal resources that may be needed.
• Some types of employers will benefit from having a fire prevention plan.

Employers should gather information about the company’s current capabilities and about possible hazards, and then conduct a risk analysis to identify likely threats. It may help to brainstorm the worst-case scenarios and to consider:

• What types of emergencies have occurred in the community, at this facility, and at other facilities in the area?
• What could happen as a result of the facility’s location?
• What could result from a process or system failure, or what emergencies could be caused by employee error?
• What types of emergencies could result from the design or construction of the facility?
• What emergencies or hazards must be considered under applicable state or federal regulations?

Estimating the probability of an emergency occurrence can help in determining priorities and allocation of resources.

Identifying critical products, services, and operations

To determine the need for backup systems, employers should identify the products, services, and operations that are critical to the business. Areas to review include:

• Company products and services, and the facilities and equipment needed to produce them.
• Products and services provided by suppliers, especially sole-source vendors.
• Lifeline services such as electrical power, water, sewer, gas, telecommunications, and transportation.
• Operations, equipment, and personnel vital to the continued functioning of the facility.

Identifying internal resources and capabilities

Employers should look at the resources and capabilities that could be needed, including:

• Personnel — fire brigade, hazardous materials response team, emergency medical services, security, emergency management group, evacuation team, and public information officer.
• Equipment — fire protection and suppression equipment, communications equipment, first aid supplies, emergency supplies, warning systems, emergency power equipment, and decontamination equipment.
• Facilities — emergency operating center, media briefing area, shelter areas, first aid stations, and sanitation facilities.
• Organizational capabilities — training, evacuation plan, and employee support system.
• Backup systems — arrangements with other facilities to provide for payroll, communications, production, customer services, shipping/receiving, information systems support, emergency power, and recovery support.

Fire prevention plan

Not all employers are required to have a fire protection plan. Even if not required, however, many employers choose to create one. Things to consider include:

• Major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard.
• Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials.
• Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials.
• The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.