Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - July/August 2023 - 22

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN
FOODSERVICE OPERATIONS
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should collaborate to identify potential risks and map
out plans to mitigate them in case of an emergency. It
is important to form a partnership with the community
and local first responders. Contact information, such as
cell phone numbers for team members, including phone
numbers assigned to response teams, should be protected
information and included in your emergency plan. Response
team leaders should provide communication trees for their
area of responsibility, which would also be included in
the emergency plan. To create a competent team, it's best
to match functional areas with
similar duties and skills on the
emergency team.
Identify Potential Hazards
Every operation has weaknesses
and vulnerabilities. Examine
your operation and recognize any
potential hazards that may occur
during an emergency situation,
such as natural disasters based
on location, power outages, or
equipment malfunctions. After
identifying the possible hazards,
evaluate the probability and
severity of each one. This will
enable you to prioritize your
planning and allocate resources efficiently.
Develop a Communication Plan
Establish a plan for communicating with your team during
an emergency. Efficient communication is critical in such
situations, and it is important to have procedures in place for
connecting with your employees, customers, suppliers, and
local authorities. This may involve phone trees, social media
updates, or email notifications. It is advisable to incorporate
various communication methods to ensure that your staff,
customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders are informed
and kept up-to-date on the situation.
Create a Plan That Fits Your Organization
Customize your emergency plan to suit the needs of your
particular operation. Take into account factors like the size
of your operation, the number of employees, and the types
of emergencies that are most likely to occur. Incorporate
specific policies and procedures into your emergency
plan, such as plans for water supply, feeding, and staffing
contingencies. In times of widespread disease outbreaks like
the COVID-19 pandemic, it was important to collaborate with
your facility and follow guidelines from state and national
agencies like the CDC. The pandemic made managing
work schedules difficult for many parents who lacked
childcare. Therefore, it's crucial to identify employees who,
if necessary, may remain on-site during emergencies, as
well as those who may face challenges with transportation
or childcare.
RESPONSE TEAM
LEADERS
should provide
communication trees for
their area of responsibility,
which would also be included
in the emergency plan.
Train, Review, and Update Your Plan Regularly
How efficient is an outdated plan
during an emergency? It's important
to understand that your emergency
plan is not a one-time event but
an ongoing process that requires
regular testing, evaluation, and
updating to maintain its relevance
and effectiveness. Using an outdated
plan during an emergency can
cause confusion, which is why it's
essential to keep your staff informed
of any changes to the plan. It's
important that every employee is
knowledgeable about the emergency
plan and equipped to handle any
disaster situation. Your workforce
is your most valuable resource
during a crisis, and their prompt and efficient response
is critical. To achieve this, it's necessary to offer frequent
training sessions and practice drills to ensure that your
staff is well-versed on your emergency plan and can handle
various scenarios. This could include training on evacuation
processes, first-aid techniques, and communication
protocols. Regular drills can be conducted to identify any
shortcomings and implement necessary improvements. This
will also help your staff become familiar with the plan and
understand their responsibilities during an emergency.
TAILORING YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN: ONE
SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL
In case of an emergency, the preparedness plan specifies
how your operation will continue to function. This involves
identifying alternative suppliers, backup power sources, and
any other resources that may be required. While a generic
template can be helpful to begin with, it is essential to create
a list of procedures and steps and prioritize them based on
the unique needs of your operation.
22 NUTRITION & F OOD SER VICE EDGE | JULY-AUGUST 2023
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Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - July/August 2023

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