Preparing
for
Emergencies
Rich Cordivari
March 19, 2011
A Little About Me
35 “plus” years of industry experience:
• VP, Learning & Development at AlliedBarton Security Services (since 2003)
• President & co-founder, USProtect (Bethesda, MD)
• Vice President, Operations, SpectaGuard, Inc. (now AlliedBarton)
• Lieutenant of Police, Lower Merion Township Police Department (Ardmore, PA)
Responsibilities:
• Leads AlliedBarton’s training community which currently consists of 100+ Training professionals located
throughout the country who provide training locally to support AlliedBarton customers
• Security Officer basic and ongoing skills training
• Account Manager training and development
• Professional Development for AlliedBarton’s Leaders
• Compliance Training
Professional affiliations:
• ASIS, International
• Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
• American Society of Training & Development
Calvary Lutheran (West Chester, PA)
• 19 years
March 19, 2011
Discussion Topics – 10 Things to Consider
1. Likely and worst case scenarios
2. Your team
3. Your building (environment)
4. Coordinating with Police – Fire – EMS
5. Plans – Policies – Practice
6. Communication
7. Training – Drills – Practice
8. Evacuation planning
9. Recovery / continuity planning
10. Resources
March 19, 2011
Likely and worst case scenarios
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Earthquakes
Fires
HVAC system failure
Hurricanes
Floods
Terrorism
Structure collapse
Explosions
Bomb threats
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Airplane collisions
Civil disturbances
Nuclear incidents
HAZMAT release
Tornadoes
Heavy snow
Elevator failure
Power failure
Telecommunications failure
Medical emergencies
March 19, 2011
Your Preparedness Team
 Church leaders
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Pastoral staff
Support staff (FT or PT)
 Congregation members
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Who can contribute knowledge, experience, skill and time?
Anyone with training, background, experience who can contribute?
 Local Police, Fire, EMS
 Chain of Command
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Who is in charge, at any given time?
 Neighbors
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Local business
Other community stakeholders
March 19, 2011
Your Building
 Age
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Structure (when built / last renovation)
Systems (plumbing, electric, sprinkler, alarms, etc.)
 Construction type
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Impact on response, evacuation plans
Location
How many stories?
Is there a basement?
Unique features
Floor plan
Proximity to and availability of emergency services
March 19, 2011
Coordinating with Police – Fire – EMS
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Do you know them and do they know you?
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Do they know your building?
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Floor plans
Entrances and Exits
Unique features
Do they know your routines?
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Police Chief
Fire Marshall
Head of EMS or County Emergency Services
American Red Cross (local chapter)
Schedule of regular services
Special events
Daytime staffing levels (if applicable)
Regular meetings or site visits
Do they have a seat at your planning table?
March 19, 2011
Plans – Policies – Practice
 Vulnerability survey / Risk Assessment
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Resources
 Plans need to be:
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Published
Communicated
Regularly updated
 Evacuation procedures (see: Drills)
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Clear
Concise
Visible
Updated as conditions change in your building
 Drills
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Annual
Partner with local Police, Fire, EMS
March 19, 2011
Communication
 The best plan is the world is useless everyone impacted knows
about it:
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Congregation
Staff
Guests
Visitors
Emergency Responders
 Protocols need to be established for communicating FACTS during
in-progress incidents
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Single point of contact
Helps reduce anxiety and eliminate panic
Media relations
March 19, 2011
Training – Drills – Practice
 Training and drills are a significant portion of preparedness efforts
 Why do we train?
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Familiarity
“Muscle memory”
Calm v. Panic
Improve our systems, processes, plans and procedures
“Act” v. “React”
How often?
Who is included?
Who should lead?
Table top exercises
March 19, 2011
Evacuation planning
 Review your plan with employees, guests and visitors
 Train key staff and members on key elements of plan
 Everyone should know his / her role in an emergency situation or
building evacuation
 Designated meeting areas
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Who’s in charge of headcount?
Clearly posted floor plans and exit paths
Staff training (e.g., Ushers)
Persons with disabilities
Who makes the call to evacuate?
March 19, 2011
Recovery / continuity planning
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What does your congregation need to stay operational?
Who is in charge? (primary, secondary…)
Authorized bank signatories
Company financial records
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Offsite backup
 Inventory of all assets
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Descriptions, serial numbers, value
Photos
 Alternative worship space
March 19, 2011
Resources
www.churchsecurityconsultant.com
www.churchdisasterhelp.org
AlliedBarton Security Services
www.alliedbarton.com
Department of Homeland
Security
www.dhs.gov
American Society of Industrial
Security
www.asisonline.org
FBI tip Web Site
www.ifccfbi.gov
Building Owners and
Managers Institute
www.bomi-edu.org
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
www.fema.gov
March 19, 2011
THANK YOU!
RICH CORDIVARI
484.351.1876
RICH.CORDIVARI@ALLIEDBARTON.COM
March 19, 2011