How prepared can you possibly be for a disaster or emergency if you don’t have a clear-cut plan before the disaster occurs?
I don’t believe you can be. That is by definition being reactive, in lieu of being proactive. This has always been on my mind, and not based on fear, but focusing on our strengths. Let me explain, and then share what our disaster plan looks like.
As a leading commercial/industrial general contractor, I have a firm belief that we are leaders in the community, to which much has been invested, trained and practiced. It’s for that reason, that I believe our elite team has a community responsibility in times of crisis. As we’ve seen it written, ‘to whom much has been given, much is expected’.
So what do we do with this amassed capacity? Well, our first ingredient is that we don’t plan for a specific emergency or disaster. It’s my belief that trying to plan for an infinite number of scenarios would lead to cumbersome and ineffective planning due to the intense planning requirements. Instead, we plan for the common effects that disasters will likely have. We have noted the following 4 steps that need to occur upon an emergency event occurrence, as described below:
1. Self Assessment – The first step is for every one of our team members to evaluate their home and family conditions. They have to first be stabilized, ensure they and their family is safe and secure and able to move on to the next stage. It is their first priority to assess their homestead and family. Afterall, no one could possibly get to their home faster than they can at that point. Once each team member’s personal affairs are in order, we move to step 2.
2. Company Assessment – As a team, we then account for our entire team, which is typically done via text message. The caveat here is a risk of digital communications failure, and we will note our countermeasure for that in a moment. At this point, we should be able to get an assessment from our entire team to identify which members of our team may require assistance. This could be that someone in their family is injured and needs a rescue, or that they’re trapped in their neighborhood because of downed trees. Regardless of the specific challenge, we account for our team and assist as required.
3. Company Asset Assessment – This step includes ensuring our buildings, equipment, tools, current job sites, and vehicles are all in safe and working conditions. The reason being, in an effort to get to the next level in this plan, we will need our assets in proper and orderly working conditions. It’d be very tough to attempt to assist with rescue efforts of any kind without being a liability if our affairs aren’t in order.
4. Community Assistance – This final step is the ‘giving-back’ step. This is where we are able to return some of the blessings that we’ve been given. By this time we will have our team in safe and stable condition and our assets are ready for duty. At this point, we would have an internal meeting to develop a response plan. This may include dispatching a team to assist with rescue operations, securing properties, clearing roadways or any other task required for the betterment of our community.
It’s a plan that will fit any number of disasters, from earthquakes to wildfires to civil unrest. This plan allows us to be adaptable yet powerful. But here are some other details that ensure success in practicality. The first is that everyone on our team has a mutual responsibility to act in accordance with this plan. It’s a pact, of sorts. The reason being is that our greatest asset is our team, and to have the McRae Team respond to your home to help you in a time of emergency is a pretty powerful thing. Therefore, in an effort to reciprocate that power, it requires everyone to show up if capable, and it’s not optional.
Another detail is the communications, which is likely to be disrupted in many disasters. We have already established the main method for communication is a group text message that has already been shared entitled ‘Disaster Response’. This is an ongoing thread that is only used for communicating disaster related communications. During a disaster, communications hopefully already began ahead of time if it was feasible. However, after the event has occurred, if our digital communications are offline and someone is unaccounted for, one of the first efforts of our team would be to dispatch those unaccounted members home to ensure their safety. This is why it is the responsibility of everyone on our team to promptly communicate or report to the shop to ensure our team is accounted for.
Some other steps that we take is ensuring ‘battle readiness’ at all times. This includes keeping an inventory of fuel and tools ready for duty. It includes having trucks fully and entirely equipped with the required tools at all times. We work very hard to maintain battle readiness all the time, with increased attention during risk events. For example, with recent tornadic weather events forecast, we were prepared with trucks and equipment fueled up, chain saws, generators and a fully communicated plan of attack, should it be required.
Lastly, we modify our plan from time to time, based on changes to the risk profile and our team capacities. We learn through practice how to adapt and evolve this plan to ensure performance in these events. We have been incredibly lucky to not have to mobilize for such events, but we are always on standby when the time comes. I encourage every team to spend a little bit of time thinking through this. It provides great team value, confidence and team culture. It also assists our entire community when everyone has a forward looking plan for an inevitable disaster event. It’s not so much a question of if, but when an event will occur.
Our commitment to preparation and community support extends across Southern Indiana and the greater Louisville area. Many of our team members and projects are based in nearby communities like Sellersburg, Jeffersonville, Clarksville, New Albany, Charlestown, Henryville, Memphis, Floyds Knobs, Georgetown, Lanesville, Greenville, and Elizabeth, Indiana. We’re also proud to serve across the river in Louisville, St. Matthews, Crestwood, Shepherdsville, and Mt. Washington, Kentucky. Whether we’re working locally or responding during an emergency, staying ready and supporting our neighbors remains our highest priority.
