Quarterly Resiliency Forecast-Fall 2023
Editor’s Note: As we kick off National Preparedness Month, it is important to reflect on the crises that have recently impacted the United States. Both the Maui Fire and Hurricane Idalia have had devastating impacts and will take years for the affected communities to recover. However, if we choose not to see the lessons learned from these crises, I fear we will be doomed to continue our past mistakes.
I was recently quoted in Forbes where I gave recommendations on expediting disaster recovery efforts. My thoughts were not novel or unique. I recommended creating community hubs-engaging the private sector and leveraging community organizations that became impromptu community shelters and distribution sites to expedite resources to those who need it most. These recommendations stemmed from what I have seen work during my nearly 25 years in crisis management. I started in the non-profit space in San Francisco supporting other non-profits and small businesses by writing their continuity of operations plans then connecting them to their neighbors, traditional first responders and local emergency management resources. The city funded my position because they knew it was a small investment relative to the big picture of emergency response- a community that plans and prepares together, responds and recovers quicker.
With the increase in frequency and intensity of natural disasters, emergency preparedness, both at home and at work, cannot be an afterthought; it needs to be as common as brushing your teeth.
I recognize many of you are still fatigued from years of COVID-19 response so thinking about emergency preparedness can seem exhausting and daunting. To help support your preparedness efforts, this quarter’s Resiliency Forecast focuses on finding creative and fun ways to boost your organization’s resilience. Pick one of the activities TRI’s COO, Lorraine Schneider, mentions below. This will help shift mindsets from emergency preparedness being mandated drudgery in which lessons learned are ignored or swept under the rug to engaging and productive planning.
Lorraine’s ideas can build employee buy-in and solidify your organization’s resiliency which is a competitive advantage.
Wishing you a joyous transition to fall, my favorite season.
-Andrea E. Davis, President and CEO
5 Fun and Creative Emergency Preparedness Ideas to Boost Organizational Resilience
by Lorraine Schneider, Chief Operating Officer
Idea #1: Movie Screening and Discussion
Harness the power of storytelling to incite action. Do a screening of relevant disaster-related movies or documentaries followed by a discussion on the lessons learned and their applicability to your people. Consider even hosting a Q&A by inviting filmmakers and/or documentary subjects to speak virtually or in person to your company.
Idea #2: Preparedness Cookbook
Host a company-wide recipe competition to create your own preparedness cookbook. Invite employees to submit their original ideas on what to cook up in the kitchen in case of a prolonged state of recovery. Release guidelines on what ingredients may be used (e.g., canned food) and under what conditions (no stove) to mimic post-disaster conditions. Award or raffle off prizes like a generator or a camp grill to boost participation numbers. Then, assemble all recipes into one digital cookbook readily available to all company employees. Bonus: Invite awardees to prepare and serve their dishes at work.
Idea #3: Collaborative Art Project
Organize art projects that symbolize the importance of preparedness and resilience. Choose a theme that aligns with key messages of your choosing like "Preparing for the Unexpected" or "Building Resilience Together" and allow employees to express their creativity by offering various artistic mediums to work with. These can include painting, drawing, collage, sculpting, photography, or even digital art. These can then be prominently displayed within the workplace to serve as a reminder.
Idea #4: Preparedness Hackathon
Design a hackathon with a diverse set of preparedness challenges surrounding mental well-being, supply chain resilience, emergency response strategies, and effective communication during crises. Present teams with real-life scenarios or case studies of past crises that the organization or others have faced. Challenge them to devise response plans and strategies tailored to each scenario. This will connect the hackathon to real-world challenges and boost the relevance of the solutions proposed.
Idea #5: Escape Room Challenge
Transform the popular concept of escape rooms into emergency preparedness challenges. Create scenarios where teams must work together to solve puzzles, find clues, and "escape" from simulated crisis situations. These challenges can be tailored to specific hazards. For inspiration, check out the step-by-step guide on how to create a “Beat the Quake” earthquake-themed escape room, first created by Jenny Novak at California State University, Northridge.
Incorporating gamification elements into your emergency preparedness events or campaigns will boost engagement and build a culture of resilience, where employees understand the importance of readiness and actively contribute to the organization's safety and continuity.
Finally, preparedness is an ongoing process, so continue to evolve and improve your events based on feedback and changing organizational needs. With creativity and innovation, your organization will be better equipped to face any emergency that may arise.
TRI is here to help. To commemorate National Preparedness Month, TRI is introducing a new service offering to support employee readiness and engagement- Innovative Preparedness Campaigns.
From emergency cookbook competitions that encourage resourcefulness to inspiring collaborative art projects that instill a sense of unity, our campaigns will not only equip your workforce with essential preparedness skills but also enhance your organization’s resilience level. Contact TRI today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation: info@theresiliencyinitiative.com or +1 (424) 478-0779
