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Emergency Planning: Making Sure You’re Prepared For Civil Disturbances

Editor’s Note: In part one of this series, we reviewed the importance of developing an emergency action plan for a natural disaster. In part two, we will review emergency planning for a civil disturbance.

By Tony Gallo

In today’s business environment, civil disturbances or civil unrest are a fact of life. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), civil disturbance is “a civil unrest activity such as a demonstration, riot, or strike that disrupts a community and requires intervention to maintain public safety.”

Civil disturbances or unrest can cause a variety of subsequent issues such as violence and assault, disorderly conduct, vandalism. Civil disturbances are also potential risks for most businesses, but even more of a risk for high value businesses because they are usually the first targeted by looters.

Life SafeAsk yourself the following questions:

  • What would you do if your store was closed for several days, damaged or even totally destroyed?
  • What if your cannabis, patient records, payroll, tax, accounting, or operating records were destroyed?
  • Is your insurance adequate to get you back in operation? Do you understand what is covered and what is not?
  • How long can you survive if your business is shut down?

The purpose of an emergency plan

The purpose of any emergency plan is to organize actions during a crisis. A well-developed workplace emergency plan and proper employee training may result in less employee and customer injuries and also less structural damage to the business. A poorly designed plan, or worse, no plan at all, could likely lead to disorganization and confusion during the emergency which may lead to injuries and higher losses.

Your plan should be constructed with the thought of every employee and customer’s safety at the forefront, and how to reduce losses to your business as your secondary objective. The following three sections should be included in your emergency plan:

  1. Emergency Preparedness;
  2. Emergency Response;
  3. Recovery.

It is the responsibility of the owner and management team to evaluate an emergency situation, ensure that appropriate action is taken, determine whether outside support is needed, and summon that support, if necessary.

Every store should have “emergency supplies” ready in case of an emergency. These supplies should be stored in the manager’s office or in a safe and easily accessible location in the back area of the store.

Emergency supplies to have on hand

The following items should be available in the store:

  • Battery-operated flashlight;
  • Battery-operated radio;
  • Extra batteries sized to fit the flashlight and radio;
  • First aid kit;
  • Water;
  • Blankets;
  • Fire extinguisher;
  • Emergency whistle or air horn.

Management should ensure that they have valid phone numbers for all employees. Also, your mobile phone number and home number should be posted in case your employees need to be in contact with you in the event of an emergency.

Demonstrations and protests are often unpredictable and can turn violent without warning. Here are a few examples of conditions that may introduce an increased level of exposure to civil disturbance:

  • Urban or downtown locations;
  • Proximity to sporting complexes;
  • Proximity to venues/parade routes that may trigger a protest gathering;
  • Proximity to a business that may be a target of a protest gathering;
  • Proximity to government buildings and foreign embassies and consulates.

What to do if the worst actually happens

If a civil disturbance occurs:

  1. Management should maintain an open line of communication to local law enforcement so that they may be called in as quickly as possible.
  2. An employee of the store should be stationed at the front customer door in order to observe the situation outside and report any changes to the manager.
  3. If the situation is deemed threatening to employees and customers, the front door should be locked. If possible, roll down gates and/or blinds are to be closed in order to reduce the danger of looters and possible flying glass.
  4. All cash, cannabis and small general merchandise should be secured in the safe.
  5. Law enforcement should be contacted and a requested made to escort customers and employees to their vehicles and safely off of the premises. During episodes of civil unrest, many people fail to heed warnings to evacuate so that they can protect their homes or businesses. Consider this decision carefully, as it may put you in grave danger. It’s important to remember that if looters strike you will likely be outnumbered and your attackers may be armed. If you can evacuate, it’s usually better to do so — your property is not worth your life.

Remember, the main purpose of any emergency plan is to protect the employees and customers in the event of a civil disturbance, as well as to protect the company’s property and cash.

Important note: If the store is to be closed due to any emergency situation, the safe should be filled with as much company assets as possible i.e., cash, cannabis, or small general merchandise before leaving. Use your safe as your “lifeboat” during an emergency. Safes are designed to withstand long periods of attacks from thieves and most will not be able to get into a safe no matter how long they attack it.

Why is it so important to have a well-developed emergency action plan?

According to studies conducted by the Gartner Group in recent years, 60 percent of businesses are under prepared for disasters and emergencies and 40 percent of companies that experience a disaster go out of business within five years. Without a well-defined emergency plan your company will likely struggle or fail to remain in business after an emergency.

Be safe and be profitable.

Tony Gallo

Tony Gallo

Tony Gallo is the Managing Partner for Sapphire Risk Advisory Group www.sapphirerisk.com with over 30 years in the Loss Prevention, Audit, Safety, and Risk/Emergency Management fields. He is a published author on cannabis security and has spoken at numerous cannabis business conferences across the country. Tony is considered one of the leading authorities on cannabis security programs.

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