Before and After Disaster Strikes: Developing the Emergency Procedures Manual is a
guide and resource for managers and boards to develop emergency procedure plans for
their communities.
Covering all-hazards, this guide walks readers through the necessary considerations to
prepare for and react to a disaster—whether natural or created by circumstances or criminals.
Chapters explore the hazards posed to residential, commercial, and other types of properties
in depth and explains how they may be addressed.
The book’s 30 chapters cover more than just natural disasters, they also provide an extensive
look at how to address building emergencies from fires, power outages, or hazardous
materials spills, to acts of crime and terrorism.
Also includes a section dedicated to exploring and implementing business continuity practices
into your emergency procedures plan, demonstrating the importance of business continuity
principles, while also providing concrete considerations for how to implement these practices
into your business.
Includes access to a set of online, customizable emergency-planning forms.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: The Scope of Emergency Planning
Being Aware of Federal Regulations
Preparing the Emergency Procedures Plan
The Basics of an Emergency Plan
Emergency Planning by Property Type
Preparing for Specific Emergencies
Natural Disasters
Crime and Terrorism
Business Continuity Strategies
Lease Insurance Requirements
Other Considerations: Expenses, Liability, and Staffing
SECTION 1: The Basics of an Emergency Plan
Chapter 2: The Emergency Management Team
Assembling the Management Team
Assembling the Special Emergency Evacuation Team
Identifying Backup Assistance
Duties of Team Members
Training the Team
Practice Drills
Drill Performance Review
Chapter 3: Evacuation
Planning the Evacuation
When to Evacuate
Communicating Evacuation Orders
Local Emergency Contacts
Initiating and Managing the Evacuation
Evacuation Routes
Evacuating Residents and Tenants with Special Needs
Taking a Head Count
Establishing a Designated Area
Returning to the Property
Evacuation Drills
Sheltering in Place
Chapter 4: Operations Emergency Response
Preparing for Restoration
Hiring Contractors for Cleanup Services
Working with Insurance Companies or Public Insurance Adjusters
Securing the Area
Preventing Further Loss
Documenting Damage
Removal of Debris
Protection from Further Structural Damage
Cleaning and Salvaging Items from the Property
Records Preservation
Resuming Operations
Keeping Others Informed
Chapter 5: Public Relations
Establish Relationships with Local Media
Never Avoid the Media
Responding to the Media
Who Should Speak?
What Should Be Said?
Estimating the Time of Disclosing Information
Allowing the Media on the Property
Following up with the Media
Chapter 6: The Emergency Procedures Manual
Creating the Manual
Contents of the Emergency Procedures Manual
Reference Information
Emergency Team Directions
Directions for Building Occupants
Distribution of the Manual
Emergency Procedures for Occupants
Contents of an Occupant Emergency Guide
Distribution of the Resident/Tenant Guide
Documentation
Emergency Report
Insurance Report
Expense Report
SECTION 2: Emergency Planning by Property Type
Chapter 7: Residential Properties
Evacuation Procedures for Smaller Residential Properties
Creating the Resident Profile
Including Children in the Resident Profiles
Profiles for Residents with Special Needs
Profiles for Senior Residents
Establishing an Emergency Chain of Command
Properties with Site Managers
Properties without Site Managers
Communicating With Residents
Dealing With Death in a Unit
Chapter 8: Office Buildings
Creating the Tenant Profile
Nontraditional Tenants: Medical and Education Tenants
Working with Office Tenants during Evacuation Drills
Establishing an Emergency Chain of Command
Security in the Workplace
Evacuating the Office Building
Chapter 9: Medical Office Buildings
Creating the Tenant Profile
Estimating the Daily Use of Space
Medical Waste Disposal
Security for Medical Office Buildings
Evacuation for Medical Office Buildings
A Special Issue: Bloodborne Pathogens
Risk of Exposure
The Real Estate Manager’s Responsibilities
Preventing Employee Exposure
Handling Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens
Chapter 10: Shopping Centers and Other Retail Properties
Anticipating Crowds: Safety in the Hum and Buzz of Retail
Security for Shopping Centers
Responding to Crime and Violence
Teen Presence on Retail Properties
Police Substations in Malls
Customer Awareness Programs for Retail Properties
Evacuation for Enclosed and Open-Air Shopping Malls
Special Lease Provisions
Facilitating Recovery
Chapter 11: Industrial Properties
Creating the Tenant Profile
Emergency Planning Considerations
Special Considerations
Warehouses
Multistory Structures
Hazardous-Materials Storage and Disposal
Proper Ventilation
Fire Suppression
Confined Spaces
Personal Protection
Detection and Notification for Evacuation
Evacuation
SECTION 3: Preparing for Specific Emergencies
Chapter 12: Managing Power Outages
The Types of Emergencies to Expect During a Power Outage
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
The Blackout 2-Step: Knowing What Goes Out When
Install Backup Emergency Generators
Identify Other Power Sources
Safeguarding the Electrical System
Inventory Emergency Equipment
Problems to Anticipate
Stalled Elevators and Elevator Emergencies
Preventive Measures for Elevator Safety
What to Do During an Elevator Emergency
What to Do After an Elevator Emergency
Secondary Damage and Extended Power Outages
Disrupted Sewage Lines
Extended Power Outage
Partial Power Outages
How to Respond to a Power Outage
Shutting Down Operations
Restoring Power
Chapter 13: Medical Emergencies
Areas and Properties at Risk
Preventing Human Loss and Liability
Maintaining a First Aid Kit
First Aid Procedures
Good Samaritan Laws
Avoiding Transmission of Disease
Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens: The OSHA Standard
Bloodborne Pathogens Training Program
During a Medical Emergency
Calling for Emergency Assistance
Treating People with Special Needs
After a Medical Emergency
Other Ways to Prevent Injuries
Chapter 14: Dealing with Fires of All Types
The Types of Properties at Risk for Fires
Preventive Measures
Fire Extinguishers
Smoke Detectors
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Fire Command Stations
How to Respond During a Fire
Recovery after a Fire
Identifying the Needs of Occupants
Notifying the Proper Contacts
Recovery and Response Procedures
Communicating with Cleanup Crews
Contacting Specialists
Fires as a Result of Other Disasters
Dealing with Wildfires
Areas and Properties at Risk for Wildfires
Preventive Measures
What to Do During and After a Wildfire
Chapter 15: Winter Storms and Water Damage
Areas and Properties at Risk
Weather Advisories and Warnings
Preventive Measures
During a Severe Winter Storm
After a Severe Winter Storm
Water Leaks and Frozen Pipes
Turning Off the Water Supply
Restoring Water Service
Cleaning Up after a Water Leak
Dealing with Frozen Pipes
Other Causes of Water Damage
Chapter 16: Hazardous-Materials Incidents
Areas and Properties at Risk
Preventive Measures for Hazardous-Materials Incidents
What to Do During a Hazardous-Materials Incident
What to Do After a Hazardous-Materials Incident
Natural Gas Leaks
Responding to Natural Gas Leaks
Preventive Measures for Natural Gas Leaks
SECTION 4: Natural Disasters
Chapter 17: Tornadoes
Areas and Properties at Risk
Weather Advisories and Warnings
Emergency Notification Systems
The Emergency Alert System
Wireless Emergency Alerts
Preventive Measures
During a Tornado
After a Tornado
Chapter 18: Hurricanes
Areas and Properties at Risk
Hurricane Advisories and Warning Signs
Weather Advisories and Warnings
Preventive Measures
Compliance with Local Building Codes
What to Do During a Hurricane
What to Do After a Hurricane
Chapter 19: Floods, Droughts, and Landslides
Dealing with Floods
Areas and Properties at Risk for Floods
Warning Signs and Weather Advisories
Preventive Measures for Floods and Flash Floods
What to Do During a Flood
What to Do After a Flood
Checking for Structural Damage
Restoring the Interior of a Property after a Flood
Dealing with Landslides
Areas and Properties at Risk for Landslides
Preventive Measures for Landslides
How to Deal with Landslides and Mudslides during Intense Storms
During a Landslide
After a Landslide
Preparing your Property for Drought
Areas and Properties at Risk for Drought
Preventive Measures for Cases of Drought
During a Drought
After a Drought
Chapter 20: Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Tidal Waves
Dealing with Earthquakes
Areas and Properties at Risk
Preventive Measures
What to Do During an Earthquake
What to Do After an Earthquake
Chapter 21: Volcanic Eruptions
Areas and Properties at Risk
Emergency Planning
What to Do During a Volcanic Eruption
What to Do After a Volcanic Eruption
SECTION 5: Crime and Terrorism
Chapter 22: How to Deal with Crime on a Property
Crime Prevention Measures
Outsider Perpetrators
Insider Perpetrators
Implementing a Security System
Crime Mapping: How to Investigate Community Crime Reports
Being Aware of Gang Activity
Violence in the Workplace
Crimes against Senior Residents
Strikes, Demonstrations, or Protests on a Property
Drugs and Crime on a Property
Potential Signs of Drug Activity
Methamphetamine and Other Drug Laboratories
Identifying Possible Marijuana Growing Operations
What to Do During a Crime
Reporting Crime Activity to the Police
Waiting for the Police
What to Do After a Crime
Chapter 23: Bombs, Bomb Threats, and Explosions
Areas and Properties at Risk
Security Measures to Thwart Bomb Threats
Responding to a Bomb Threat
Searching for a Bomb
What to Do When a Bomb is Found
Recovering from a Bomb Threat
Preventive Measures for Explosions
If an Explosion Occurs
Chapter 24: Nuclear Accidents, Attacks, and Radiation Exposure
Government Regulation of the Nuclear Industry
Nuclear Accidents
Areas and Properties at Risk for Nuclear Accidents
Risks of Tenant Exposure from Non-Power Use
Preventive Measures for Nuclear Accidents
During a Nuclear Accident
After a Nuclear Accident
Nuclear Attack
Areas and Properties at Risk for Nuclear Attack
Preventive Measures for Nuclear Attack
During a Nuclear Attack
After a Nuclear Attack
Chapter 25: Terrorist Acts
Areas and Properties at Risk
Preventive Measures
Specific Terror Threats
Biological Attack
During a Biological Attack
Chemical Attack
During a Chemical Attack
Dirty Bomb Attack
After a Dirty Bomb Explosion
SECTION 6: Business Continuity Strategies
Chapter 26: Introduction to Business Continuity Planning and Risk Analysis
What is Business Continuity Management?
Elements of Business Continuity Planning
Performing a Risk Assessment
Business Impact Analysis
Strategy Development
Testing Systems
Maintenance and Evaluation
Risk Assessment
Business Impact Analysis
Risk Management Strategies
Elimination
Reduction
Transfer
Acceptance
Chapter 27: The Crisis Management Team and Crisis Communications
Case Study: Chicago Tylenol Murders
Case Study: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Crisis Communications Plan
Responding to the Media
Creating Press Releases
Communication with Staff, Tenants, and Clients
Automated Mass Notification
Toll-Free Phone Numbers with Pre-Recorded Messages
Online Options
Mobile Phones
Satellite Phones
Implementation of a Crisis Plan
Chapter 28: Business Continuity Processes for Real Estate Management Companies
Selecting Your Disaster Contractor
Choosing Alternate Sites and Branch Locations for Operations
Working with Your Staff
Chapter 29: Business Records Management
Electronic Backups of Records
Dealing with Equipment Failure
Dealing with Paper Records
Understanding Compliance Requirements
Maintaining Asset and Building Information
Chapter 30: Examining Insurance Coverage and Managing Claims
Potential Insurance Pitfalls
Co-Insurance Penalties
Business Interruption and Loss of Rents
Insurance Deductibles or Retention
Vendor Contingency Plans
Mutual Aid Agreements
Filing an Insurance Claim
Reviewing the Insurance Policy
The Property Adjuster’s Role in the Claim
Documentation of Insurance Records
Invoicing from Contractors
Ongoing Testing and Maintenance
Appendix: Additional Resources
Emergency Planning Forms
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