How to Train for Emergency Procedures

Emergency preparedness means being ready before an emergency strikes. Emergency procedures can make a life or death difference during tragic events. During a tragic event is not the right time to identify if a procedure is effective or not. Planning and preparation ensures everyone is familiar with what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency. Conducting exercises affirms procedures and identifies potential problems to be fixed before an emergency strikes.

Things You'll Need

• Documented emergency procedures
• Calendar
• Exercise development guide

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Instructions

• 1

  Review current procedures or develop new ones. Procedures are the first line defense against risks. Ensure that procedures provide detailed instructions on what to do, where to go, and how to do it in the most effective and safe manner.

• 2

  Introduce procedure during a training session. Review of the emergency procedure ensures familiarity and addresses problems or concerns.

• 3

  Conduct an exercise to test the effectiveness of the procedure by 'staging' an emergency in the form of a drill. Exercises validate procedures, test the readiness of capabilities, and increase confidence and skill. Exercises also identify weaknesses so they can improve performance during an actual response. An example might include a mock fire drill requiring employees to follow an evacuation procedure.

• 4

  Evaluate the success of the exercise. If the objectives were met without variance, the exercise can be considered a success.

• 5

  Revise any faults found with the emergency procedure as a result of the drill. The entire process should be a cyclical process of review, conduct, evaluate and revise.