The emergency planning process has evolved significantly and taken on more importance in the last decade as a result of emergencies and disasters having a greater impact on government and industry. Today, organizations have an abundance of emergency planning resources and training options available to them. Cooperation between government and industry in the planning process is also high. Consequently, there presently exists an excellent opportunity for organizations to increase their level of preparedness.

Most experts today advocate a comprehensive “all hazards” approach to emergency preparedness. A comprehensive emergency response plan that takes into account potential natural, technological, and man-made threats and involves key personnel in the planning process can assist an organization to systematically manage emergencies in an effective and efficient manner. The planning process is a key element that forces managers and their staff to explore viable options that can be employed in the event of an emergency or disaster. These contingencies can ultimately help to save lives, reduce property loss, as well as lessen an organization’s potential liability.