Disaster can strike any community, any organization, anytime – anywhere
Are you prepared?
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The 21st -century presents a new era of risk. Never before has emergency preparedness and disaster planning been so critical to the continuity of both business and government operations.
The following is a sample listing of hazards and their associated threats. It serves as a starting point for the identification of hazards which are present in a community and for the assessment of the associated threats. |
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Natural Hazards
Severe Winter Storms (snow and/or ice)
- Widespread multi-day power outages
- Severe disruption of travel
Severe Summer Storms (tornadoes, high winds)
- Mass casualties
- Widespread property damage
- Widespread multi-day power outages
- Severe disruption of travel
Sustained Heavy Rainfall
- Slow onset floods
- Flash floods
Global Climate Change
- Changed weather patterns cause drought
- Prolonged heat/cold wave
Dependence on Groundwater Supplies
- Contamination of aquifers
- Contamination of community wells
Landslides
- Widespread damage in rural and suburban areas
Major Earthquake
- Widespread property damage
- Mass casualties
Wild Fires
- Widespread damage in rural and suburban areas
Technological Hazards
Dams
Severe Air Pollution Episode
- Segments of population in danger
- Travel restrictions
Gas Pipelines
- Explosions, fires
- Leaks, gas clouds
Water Pipelines [Main lines]
- Prolonged disruption of service
Water Treatment Plants
- Sabotage
- Contamination
- Technical failure
Solid Waste System
- Disruption of export flow
Major Airports in or near Region
- Catastrophic crash of airliner
- Catastrophic crash of cargo plane
- Light aircraft/structure interface
Major Rail Lines
- Mass casualty accident
- HazMat incident in transportation corridor
Major Highways
- Mass casualty accident
- HazMat incident in transportation corridor
Industrial Installations
- HazMat incident at fixed site
- Hazardous waste effluent discharge
Major Technical Failure of Power Grid
- Widespread multi-day power outage
Major Technical Failure of Communications Systems
- Widespread multi-day communications breakdown
- Business slow down
Major Cyber Attack
- Prolonged disruption of services
Nuclear Power Plants Nearby
- Accident causes radioactive contamination
- Accident causes mass in-flux of evacuees
Human Health/Epidemiological Hazards
Pandemic/Epidemic Disease in Humans – Widespread (e.g., Influenza, SARS, E.coli, WNV, Meningococcal, etc.)
- Mass casualties [deaths & disease]
- Pre-emption of the medical system
- Disruption of work and travel [e.g., mass absenteeism, tourism slow-down]
- Mass apprehension & reaction
Localized Outbreaks in Humans (e.g., Norovirus, MRSA, VRE, Ebola, etc.)
- Casualties [disease & deaths]
- Isolation
- Taxing the medical system
Agricultural/Livestock Health Hazards
Major Outbreak of Animal Disease (e.g., FMD, BSE, avian influenza)
- Lengthy quarantines
- Zoonosis [transmittal of animal disease to humans]
- Mass animal slaughter
Plant Disease/Pest infestation
- Widespread plant disease
- Widespread pest infestation
Other Hazards
Large-scale Public Order Incidents (strikes, protests)
- Major property damage
- Travel/business disruption
- Significant casualties
Terrorism
- Major terrorist incident (explosives, chemical agent, nuclear incident)
- Bio-terrorism incident (e.g., anthrax)
Proactive planning is more than just smart: it's essential. So make sure that your organization is prepared. A well-designed risk and emergency management program can mitigate, or even eliminate, the negative effects of a serious incident and have your organization back in business as quickly as possible.
Contact The Zeta Group for a comprehensive analysis of your situation.
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