Did You Know?
Fires and floods are the most common and widespread types of natural disasters. Flooding can occur in all 50 states, and 90 percent of all presidentially-declared US natural disasters involve flooding. Do you have a plan in place to protect your precious equipment, samples, and other lab assets if a flood or other natural disaster hits your facility?
It is important to have both a disaster response plan, as well as a recovery plan, since recovery efforts can range from days to weeks or months. As the leader of your lab, you should develop plans that are specific to your facility, and go beyond the general plan for your overall institution. Outline roles and responsibilities for your team before, during, and after the disaster, including those considered essential personnel and decision-makers. Review and update these roles as needed (at least annually).
It is also a good idea to invite local fire departments and first responders to your facility to become familiar with the layout of your lab, and any potential hazards they should be aware of prior to answering an emergency call.
