How can you develop resilience in the face of natural disasters?

2 Prepare your plan

The next step is to develop a comprehensive and realistic emergency response and business continuity plan that covers all aspects of your facility management. This plan should outline the roles and responsibilities of your team, the communication channels and protocols, the backup and recovery systems, the contingency and alternative arrangements, and the training and testing activities. You should also document the critical functions, processes, and assets that need to be prioritized and protected during and after a disaster.

3 Engage your stakeholders

The third step is to communicate and collaborate with your internal and external stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page and ready to act in case of a disaster. Your stakeholders could include your senior management, employees, contractors, suppliers, customers, regulators, insurers, and local authorities. You should inform them of your plan, solicit their feedback and input, coordinate your actions and expectations, and establish mutual support and trust.

4 Monitor your environment

The fourth step is to keep an eye on the changing conditions and trends that could affect your facility and your plan. You should monitor the weather forecasts, the news reports, the security alerts, the health advisories, and any other relevant sources of information. You should also update your plan regularly to reflect the current situation and best practices. You should also conduct regular audits and inspections of your facility to identify and fix any issues or risks.

5 Learn from your experiences

The fifth step is to review and evaluate your performance and outcomes after a disaster, and learn from your successes and failures. You should collect and analyze data and feedback from your team, your stakeholders, and your customers. You should identify the strengths and weaknesses of your plan, the challenges and opportunities you faced, the lessons and best practices you learned, and the actions and improvements you need to make.

6 Enhance your capabilities

The sixth step is to invest in your skills, knowledge, and resources to improve your resilience and readiness for future disasters. You should seek professional development and training opportunities, such as courses, workshops, webinars, or certifications. You should also network and share experiences with other facility managers and experts in your field. You should also upgrade your technology, equipment, and infrastructure to increase your efficiency, reliability, and security.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?