Establish and practice a crisis management plan

Emergency sign

Assign specific responsibilities to staff members so there is no confusion about who should evacuate employees, records, and crucial business equipment. Very importantly, have a backup plan in case critical personnel are out at the time of a catastrophe. Know ahead of time what you need to take with you in an emergency. Identify alternate power sources, and evaluate the crisis response capabilities of your vendors. According to the Insurance Institute of America, the following information is most often included in a crisis management procedures manual:

  • The purpose, scope, and organization of the manual.
  • The structure of the crisis management hierarchy, including the chain of command, composition, and general responsibilities of the emergency teams appointed.
  • Evacuation instructions, including explanations of alarm signals and diagrams of exit routes.
  • Loss prevention and loss reduction procedures organized by peril (natural, human, or economic) and separated into pre- and post-event measures.
  • Procedures, addresses, and telephone numbers for contacting the fire department, police, medical services, pollution-control personnel, and other sources of help, including senior management.
  • Communication procedures during and after the emergency, especially procedures to notify employees of progress towards resuming operations. Also address who will manage media inquiries.

View Markel's Guide to Crisis Management.

Emergency sign
This "document” is intended for general information purposes and should not be construed as advice or opinions on any specific facts or circumstances. The content of this document is made available on an “as is” basis, without warranty of any kind. This document cannot be assumed to contain every acceptable safety and compliance procedure or that additional procedures might not be appropriate under the circumstances. Markel does not guarantee that this information is or can be relied on for compliance with any law or regulation, assurance against preventable losses, or freedom from legal liability. This publication is not intended to be legal, underwriting, or any other type of professional or technical advice. Persons requiring advice should consult an independent adviser or trained professional. Markel does not guarantee any particular outcome and makes no commitment to update any information herein, or remove any items that are no longer accurate or complete. Furthermore, Markel does not assume any liability to any person or organization for loss or damage caused by or resulting from any reliance placed on this content.  
Was this helpful?