FEMA provides planning assistance to all levels of planners, including family emergency management planning. These
tools can be applied to the clinical laboratory.
The guidance includes the need to:
- Understand how to receive emergency alerts and warnings.
- Check with your local emergency management agency to see what is available in your area and learn more about alerts here.
- Discuss staff plans for emergencies that may affect your area and plan where to go.
- Plan together in advance so that all staff understands where to go during different types of emergencies.
- Collect information.
- Create a paper copy of the contact information for your staff that includes:
- Phone numbers (work, cell, office)
- Email addresses
- Social media
- Personal medical facilities, doctors, and service providers
- School information
- Identify information and pick an emergency meeting place.
- Decide on a safe, familiar spot that provides protection to reunite (in your city or outside your current facility).
- Make sure these locations are accessible for staff members with disabilities or access/functional needs.
- Share information.
- Post a copy at the laboratory and make sure everyone carries a copy in their backpack, purse, or wallet.
- Practice your plan.
- Have regular staff meetings to review your emergency plans, communication plans, and meeting place after an emergency. Then practice, just like you would a fire drill.
In the event that a staff member gets separated, individuals can apply for disaster assistance
here.
