There are people within your organization who have an innate passion, drive, and desire to help others in emergencies or dangerous situations. I promise.

The development of an on-site Emergency Response Team would not only be in line with their capabilities, and it may also save lives.

When you think of an Emergency Response Team, what comes to mind? A tactical, well-trained armed unit tasked with stopping a threat that may enter your facility?

If so, you have the wrong vision and have probably watched too many Rambo movies!

An Emergency Response Team is a group of employees that wants to do more. They can be trained in CPR and First Aid and help fellow employees with lacerations or provide comfort measures and temporary care for a customer with chest pains. The Emergency Response Team is trained in coordinating and taking control of a mass evacuation or identifying a problem before one prevents itself.

What Are The Expectations of Emergency Response Team Members?

·         Commit to making the workplace safer

·         Attend quarterly training sessions (both in person and virtual)

·         Attend monthly safety meetings

·         Respond clearly and appropriately in moments of crisis 

Who is On an Emergency Response Team?

The most important part of developing an effective, on-site Emergency Response Team is to put the right people on it. Let’s start by finding out who may be interested. 

To be a member of an Emergency Response Team takes a confident and dedicated person willing to go the extra mile. They can be any member of your workforce and come with no background or training in the emergency response field, or they may have an extensive background in military, law enforcement, or emergency medical history.

You should look for the following qualities in an Emergency Response Team member:

·         Willingness to help during times of crisis

·         Good decision-making skills

·         Good communication skills

·         Self-confidence

·         The ability to stay reasonable and composed while under pressure

The best way to find the right people for this team is to send out an email explaining the exploration of an Emergency Response Team. Include what type of person you are looking for, what their expectations will be, and if you plan to offer any compensation. Some employees will be happy just with the fact that you will pay for and provide training in emergency responses, such as First Aid and CPR certification. These are skills that can be applied to save lives anywhere, even at home with our families.

Next, you’ll want to put the round pegs in the round holes. Carefully review the employees who have expressed an interest in getting involved to make your facility safer. From there, you’ll want to assign roles that match the titles and brief descriptions below.

Your Emergency Response Team will be made up of as many members as you like, providing they synergize effectively. Within the team, you’ll appoint leaders whose roles will be similar to department heads within your business.

Incident Manager

The incident manager will be the first point of contact in a moment of crisis and provide direction. They will strive to keep incidents organized and direct communication among departments.

Health & Safety Officer

You will have one officer assigned to ensure the health and safety of your employees or team members.  Additionally, any issues of safety or personal wellness will be reported directly to the Health & Safety Officer.

Quarter Master

The Quarter Master will make sure that all items required during an emergency or crisis situation are on hand and fully stocked. They will also ensure that designated team members are trained in operating various equipment and supplies. They will keep an inventory of supplies and re-order items on a regular basis.

Quality Control Officer

The Quality Control Officer oversees the operations of each team member and makes sure that no oversights have been made. They inform the Incident Manager of any shortfalls, mistakes, or concerns.

Public Information Officer

After a critical incident, your customers and community may express various concerns about your business. Is it still in operation? Is it safe to go/be there? Are there ways that they can support you in the days and weeks after the incident? The Public Information Officer will communicate to the public exactly what you are doing to protect your employees and your customers.

Don’t let the process overwhelm you. Take the development and implementation one step at a time and set real, reachable deadlines as you move through your target goals.

Growing an Emergency Response Team is a time-consuming process, but in the end, one that could save many lives.

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