Crisis Plan Template, Page 3

Tornadoes

Although forecasters cannot predict when a tornado will form, they can determine when atmospheric conditions in a given area are favorable for the formation of a tornado.

Danger Signs

• Severe thunderstorms -- thunder, lightning, heavy rains and strong winds.
• Hail -- pellets of ice from dark, clouded skies.
• Roaring noise -- like railroad locomotives, a crashing sound
• Funnel cloud -- dark spinning "rope" or column from the sky to the ground.

When these conditions prevail, the Weather Service issues a "Tornado Watch." If a tornado is actually sighted or indicated by radar, a "Tornado Warning" is issued. The warning gives the location of the tornado and the direction in which it is moving. Tornadoes usually rotate in a clockwise direction and generally move from southwest to northeast.

Because of the increasing presence of tornadoes, the company must provide the best protection for all personnel should the need arise.

Should a "Tornado Warning" be given, the crisis team will immediately assign someone to tune into the designated radio station and to continually monitor minute-by-minute developments. At some point, the crisis team might decide to alert all personnel in the building via __________

Since this is only a stand-by signal, supervisors are to continue normal activity, but be sure all staff are accounted for. Supervisors should keep calm but alert to additional signals or directions from the crisis team. In the meantime, please close any windows.

Should the crisis team determine that it is safer to move personnel to the building refuge area, such directions will be given via [give methods]. Supervisors should take employee lists with them.

All persons in the shelter area are to remain there until the "All Clear" is announced. See attached map for nearest shelter.

Floods

When heavy rainstorms occur, or spring runoff from mountain snows is heavy, the danger of floods becomes considerable for organizations located in natural or man-made drainage areas. Alertness to the possibility of flood conditions is of primary importance for the safety of all staff. When a flood is imminent, the following plans are appropriate:

• The simplest procedure for the protection of staff members is to remove them from places of danger.
• If time permits for staff members to reach home, they should be dismissed with a warning of caution to go directly to their residence. This will be at the discretion of the supervisor.
• If time does not permit dismissal, staff members should be moved to locations on higher ground.
• When there is danger of an immediate flooding condition, move all staff to the upper floors.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes generally occur without any advance warning. Because initial quakes or shocks are usually the most severe, procedures will be based on this premise. Training in the procedures will assist in providing a basis for survival.

When in the building:

• Move to a location against a supporting wall, usually an inside wall is preferred to an outside wall.
• A position under a structural arch in a building provides a better location than others.
• Falling objects are the greatest hazard during an earthquake. Of special concern is the possibility of pictures and other potentially dangerous objects hanging on the walls or the ceiling falling on occupants.
• Evacuation of a building should be made as soon as possible after the initial shock and it becomes apparent that staff would not be endangered by falling debris.
• When outside the building, remain outside and away from other buildings. Stay away from power poles and from under power lines.
• The building's facility manager and custodians will attempt to shut off public utilities either before, during or immediately after an earthquake.

Air Pollution

The Department of Health is presently using an air pollution reporting method called the Pollution Standards Index (PSI) to show at a glance how badly the air in the Metropolitan area is polluted from day to day. The air quality is measured and reported as follows (not PSI reading):

It is important that all personnel think seriously about what to do should the PSI reach a certain level. Should the need arise, the crisis team will determine what to do and the [spokesperson name] will instruct personnel over the intercom. The spokesperson will keep all personnel apprised as necessary.