The full potential of social media was made apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses and organizations were unable to operate in a physical space. Instead, social media platforms became even more integral for organizational leaders to connect with their customers, stakeholders and employees. Whereas social media was once perceived as a fad targeting primarily young audiences, it is increasingly perceived as a new frontier where businesses and organizations can thrive, even in the face of significant disruption

When you think about the factors that can affect your organization’s day-to-day operations, does mental health come to mind? As an invisible hazard, it’s easy for the subject to fall off of the radar, particularly should more immediate, visible hazards arise. However, with many workplaces now beginning to recover from a tumultuous few years, the need for employers to prioritize employee mental health has never been higher.

Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” 

 

That was the spirit with which, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the federal government introduced its new vision for building national resilience against disasters. The report, The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned, proposed the creation of an ambitious “culture of preparedness,” or a commitment by the public and private sectors, communities and individuals to maintain a state of readiness.[i] Sadly, more than a decade later, the vision remains unrealized.

If you’ve considered how to prepare your business for an emergency or disaster, you likely focused on your facilities, equipment, services and staff. To increase the success of your plan, it may be time to think outside the walls of your workplace — specifically, whether your staff are prepared at home.

More and more we hear news of how climate change is affecting our lives. Storms are increasing in intensity, snowfalls are becoming more intense, and seasonal weather changes are occurring earlier. Residents in artic areas such as Alaska and Greenland are finding their hunting grounds diminished and their seacoasts eroded. Inhabitants of island countries in the South Pacific are witnessing their lands disappearing under rising ocean levels.

As we are experiencing a pandemic of a respiratory illness called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spreading quickly from person to person, the situation continues to pose a serious public health risk. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 and the best way to help prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. This is a challenging time for all of us. Here are some resources that may be helpful as you navigate this crisis.

The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

We know this is a stressful time and people want to know what they can do right now to protect themselves and their families. That’s why the Red Cross is highlighting some everyday health and preparedness steps that people in the U.S. can take now.

Today, concerns over systemic partner vulnerabilities such as dependence on unstable energy suppliers, the impact of armed conflict on the supply of raw materials, and cyber security concerns plague businesses around the world. Increased targeted hacking of financial institutions has affected the banking and payment industry driving up transactional and insurance costs while raising concern over the inherent security of such networks. The more extended the supply chain, the greater the vulnerability.

A study sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) found that nearly 60% of American adults have never participated in an evacuation or shelter-in-place (SiP) exercise. The study also found that only 39% had any type of emergency plan or even discussed the topic with their family. This, even though over 80% of the respondents live in communities impacted by a weather-related disaster.1

As a Ready Rating member, you already know how you will act in a crisis. But do you know what to expect from other community members, especially your local government officials and first responders?

Detailed information on their plans is readily available. Nearly every town and city, not to mention county, tribal, and state government, publish their emergency response plans online. To access this material, enter the name of your locale along with the term “multi-hazard mitigation plan” (e.g. New York City Multi-hazard Mitigation Plan) into any popular search engine. Follow the links and read about possible road closings, shelter locations, and evacuation routes which will be set up in response to various types of hazards.