These days, it’s not only a public service, but it makes good business sense to promote emergency and disaster continuity to customers. Here’s how two companies — Chesapeake Energy and Airbnb — offer assistance to their customers.
At Chesapeake Energy, the website immediately tells consumers that the company is safety-focused. “At Chesapeake, safety is more than a behavior. It’s who we are. CEO Doug Lawler emphasizes our commitment to providing a safe environment for employees, contractors, landowners and the communities where we operate,” states the website.
Chesapeake Energy has an emergency response plan to inform employees about its game plans in case of incident. With its Emergency Preparedness and Response group, made up of company members trained in incident response management, employees in the field are trained using the same methods as professional emergency responders. The company uses the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to “work cooperatively with local, state and federal agencies in the event of an emergency, regardless of location”. The company details how its training levels for employees goes beyond the basic NIMS level 100, including NIMS level 200 and the operations level of Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, to give employees “a clear understanding of their responsibilities in an emergency and allows for more effective communications with emergency response personnel.”
Specialized teams of employees are also trained in Local Emergency Response Teams (LERT) twice a year, and interact with first responders through outreach and information sessions. “This additional education not only allows for better communication between Chesapeake and first responders, but provides valuable safety awareness for the first responders themselves,” states the website.
Airbnb, as a company that lets the average homeowner be a hotelier, offers special training for Seattle-based hosts to learn about safety and how to respond during emergencies. Through the Office of Emergency Management, the training teaches attendees how to develop a family preparedness plan, deal with local hazards, and build an emergency preparedness kit. “The more prepared we are, the better our community can respond when an emergency arises — be it a major disaster or an emergency at home. Being informed and prepared not only benefits you, but your family, your future guests, and your local community,” states the event website.
Sources:
http://www.chk.com/responsibility/safety/emergency-preparedness-and-response
https://www.airbnb.com/meetups/ydb9jn3ny-emergency-preparedness-training
