What if disaster strikes while you’re at work?

What if disaster strikes while you’re at work? Do you know the emergency preparedness plan for your workplace?

While many companies have been more alert and pro-active in preparing for disasters of all types since the September 11, 2001 attacks, a national survey indicates that many employees still don’t know what their workplace plan is for major or minor disasters. If you don’t know yours, make a point to ask.

Portland's Office of Emergency Management supports Business Emergency Teams (also see page 73), similar to the CERT-like Neighborhood Emergency Teams I've mentioned before, so if you're in a large buiding, there can be help on the scene from folks you know in a major emergency which delays Fire Bureau response.

Know multiple ways to exit your building, participate in workplace evacuation drills, and consider keeping some emergency supplies at the office. The Ready Business link has more information about business preparedness.