Organizations operate within a network and if any part of that network stops functioning the whole thing has problems. Therefore, it is important to work together to ensure that all of your partners are able to function well after a disaster.
Succession planning is critical in disaster situations. Identify, in advance, who will be responsible for important decisions and assign at least one back up. For example, who can approve and/or access funds for emergency services or supplies if the individual who normally makes those decisions is unavailable.
Use your Ready Rating Assessment Report to help you identify activities that will (1) ensure you have plans in place to respond and recover from disruptions and (2) build awareness and experience within your organization. Summarize any issues or areas of improvement along with suggested solutions, possible workarounds, and budget impacts. Be sure that each member of the senior management team is clear about obstacles that may be encountered and document any decisions that need to be made. Include recommendations/actions based on the Ready Rating Assessment and Next Steps Report.
Most simply put, assessing an incident can be described as “knowing what is going on around you”. All too often, emotional reactions, shock and chaos can ensue after an incident and for those individuals responsible for an organization, it is important to maintain awareness and provide regular status updates to those involved.
