Emergency Response Planning: Lessons from Childhood That Build Workplace Readiness – Safe Talk by Kim Neddo

I vaguely recall my first encounter with emergency response planning as a child. Our family was required to participate in a school project to create an emergency response plan in event of a fire.  Our home at the time had second-story bedrooms, which required having a rope ladder we could hook onto the window and toss outside for an escape route. This sounds simple in theory — but the old single-hung windows were paint covered and for a child to open was not an easy task. That was my first real taste of emergency preparedness.

I didn’t think much about emergency response plans again until years later, working in the seismic industry. Due to the remote locations of our work, we had to create detailed emergency rescue plans. Even though we had smartphones, the lack of internet meant we had to rely on two-way radios to communicate. It was a different kind of challenge — but equally important.

Today, emergency response planning is something I discuss regularly. But why is it so important? Most of us know the basics: if there’s a fire, evacuate. But is that all there is to it? What about all the other things that could go wrong? Have we truly prepared for those?

 

The more familiar you are with what could go wrong and how to respond, the more likely you — and everyone around you — will stay calm and act safely during a real emergency. That’s why creating a comprehensive emergency response plan is so critical.

 

Steps to Create an Emergency Response Plan

1 – Identify Potential Hazards

Starts with a hazard assessment, whether at home or at work perform a hazard hunt – look for:

• Physical Hazards: Stairs, slippery surfaces (floors, sidewalks, steps), poor lighting
• Mechanical or Operational Hazards: Equipment, gas appliances, hot surfaces space heaters
• Environmental Hazards: Blizzards, tornadoes, floods, wildfires
• Social or Human Hazards: Aggressive clients, theft, break-ins, workplace violence

 

2 – Assess the Risks

Once you’ve listed your hazards, assess the potential consequences. Examples include:

• Minor Injuries: Cuts, bruises, scrapes
• Medical Injuries: Broken bones, severe cuts, falls from height
• Exposure Risks: Toxic fumes, asbestos, infectious diseases
• Fatalities: H2S exposure, vehicle collisions, falls
• Natural Disasters: Fires, flooding, snowstorms
• Power Disruptions: Outages caused by storms or grid damage
• Security Threats: Lockdowns, active shooter situations, threats from outside parties

 

3: Develop the Response Plan

For each hazard, define:

• Roles & Responsibilities: Who does what? (e.g., evacuation leaders, first aiders)
• Procedures: Step-by-step actions to follow in each type of emergency
• Communication: How will you alert others — phones, radios, alarms?
• Evacuation & Shelter: Designated exits, muster points, and safe areas
• Resources: Emergency kits, contact lists, first aid supplies

 

4 – Practice the Plan

A plan is only as good as the people executing it. Regular practice helps ensure calm, confident reactions when real emergencies occur.

• Drills: Fire, shelter-in-place, medical, or lockdown scenarios
• Role Play: Practice communication steps and response protocols
• Evaluate: Debrief after each drill — what worked, what didn’t, what to improve

 

Your young children should be involved. We’ve all heard stories of kids calling 911 or workers responding quickly in a crisis — those successes happen because someone took the time to plan and practice.

 

Preparedness is Empowerment

Emergency response planning is about creating reassurance. When everyone knows the plan and has practiced it together, there’s less worry and more peace of mind.

 

Whether at home or at work, the best time to plan is now. The sooner you prepare and practice, the better you can protect what matters most.

 

When was the last time you tested your emergency plan?