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When disaster strikes, businesses that close down run the risk of never reopening — especially with no plan of action in place. While there’s no way to lower the risk of a natural disaster or a widespread health crisis like a pandemic, there are critical measures that an organization can take to protect its people, assets and bottom line in the wake of a disaster. While creating a business continuity management plan for your organization, consider the four phases of disaster management and how each phase will affect your business before, during and after a crisis. The 4 Phases of Disaster ManagementWhen it comes to business continuity, think of disasters as recurring events that take place in four key phases: 1. Mitigation2. Preparedness3. Response4. Recovery
All organizations are in at least one phase at any given moment in time. Understanding these four phases will empower your organization to prepare for and respond to crises in a smarter, more informed way. Making the right decisions will give your organization the best chance at survival and recovery following an unanticipated event. Let’s take a closer look at what each of the disaster management phases mean. Phase 1: MitigationMeaning: To prevent future emergencies and take steps to minimize their effectsThe “mitigation” phase occurs before a disaster takes place. Here, an organization will take steps to protect people and property, while also decreasing risks and consequences from a given disaster situation. The organization’s main goal is to reduce vulnerability to disaster impacts (such as property damage, injuries and loss of life).
Phase 2: PreparednessMeaning: To take actions ahead of time to be ready for an emergencyThe “preparedness” phase also occurs before a disaster takes place. Here, an organization attempts to understand how a disaster might affect overall productivity and the bottom line. The organization will also provide appropriate education while putting preparedness measures into place.
Phase 3: ResponseMeaning: To protect people and property in the wake of an emergency, disaster or crisisThe “response” phase occurs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Organizations must focus their attention on addressing immediate threats to people, property and business. Occupant safety and wellbeing largely depends on its preparedness levels before disaster strikes.
As the response period progresses, focus will typically shift from immediate emergency issues to conducting repairs, restoring utilities, re-establishing operations and cleaning up. The organization will also need to begin planning the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. Phase 4: RecoveryMeaning: To rebuild after a disaster in an effort to return operations back to normalThe “recovery” phase takes place after a disaster. This phase is the restoration of an organization following any impacts from a disaster. By this time, the organization has achieved at least some degree of physical, environmental, economic and social stability. The recovery phase of a disaster can last anywhere from six months to a year (or even longer depending on the severity of the incident).
Business Continuity Made Easy: Your Free eBookA disaster management plan is only one part of a successful business continuity plan. Whether your organization is looking to revamp its current business continuity plan or wanting to start fresh with a new one, AkitaBox makes it easy. Here’s a handy step-by-step guide to business continuity planning. Inside, you’ll find resources including a BCP outline, a business impact questionnaire, and other helpful tools.
The first response to a disaster often includes search and rescue operations, as well as the provision of immediate relief for those affected in the form of medical care, food and water, and temporary shelter. Depending on the kind and location of the disaster, the organizations that can effectively provide initial help may be a mix of global and local: Large, international organizations bring supplies and trained personnel from around the world with specialized skills from work in previous disasters. Local, often smaller, agencies bring community knowledge and networks and are often more trusted by those affected.
After the immediate relief and short-term needs have been stabilized, disasters can become a catalyst for building back better. For example, after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Root Capital provided loans to coffee farmers to help them rebuild their businesses, while Partners in Health provided the healthcare infrastructure necessary to allow operations in Port-au-Prince, later transitioning ongoing management of clinics there to a Haitian team.
Resilience, risk reduction, and mitigation help communities prevent or reduce the negative effects of disasters in general. Examples include constructing earthquake-resistant buildings, raising the height of bridges or water pumps in flood areas, or supporting marshlands to decrease flooding. To prevent man-made crises, communities may even engage in peace-building and conflict resolution efforts. While such measures require an upfront investment, returns can be enormous: A study on flood protection in the Philippines found that for every dollar invested, approximately $30 was saved in reduced flood losses.
Preparedness involves actions taken before an emergency to ensure a more effective response and steps to minimize the damage caused by a disaster. Stockpiling necessary supplies, developing disaster response protocols, performing regular disaster drills, and setting up pooled insurance mechanisms are all examples of activities that increase preparedness and lessen the human and economic cost of disasters. |