Crisis Management for Incidents

Often when we think of Crisis Management we envision large scale disasters like School Shootings, Tornados, Hurricanes or other catastrophic events putting lives and property at risk.  While these are all potential, in the insurance world they are considered less likely or carry a lower degree of probability.  With that said we have seen a major uptick in all three along with a higher degree of probability related to significant weather events that have produced a new normal as indicated in a recent study conducted by Munich Re, leading experts on risk solution worldwide based in Germany:   

October 22, 2012 - A new study by Munich Re shows that North America has been most affected by weather-related extreme events in recent decades. The publication "Severe weather in North America" analyzes all kinds of weather perils and their trends. It reports and shows that the continent has experienced the largest increases in weather-related loss events.

For the period concerned – 1980 to 2011 – the overall loss burden from weather catastrophes was US$ 1,060bn (in 2011 values).The insured losses amounted to US$ 510bn, and some 30,000 people lost their lives due to weather catastrophes in North America during this time frame.   

The study was prepared in order to support underwriters and clients in North America, the world's largest insurance and reinsurance market. Using its NatCatSERVICE – with more than 30,000 records the most comprehensive loss data base for natural catastrophes – Munich Re analyzes the frequency and loss trends of different perils from an insurance perspective.http://yubanet.com/usa/Study-North-America-most-affected-by-increase-in-weather-related-natural-catastrophes.php#.U7AKJGfjjIU


While this risk is ever present and requires due diligence in Emergency Management planning, preparation, drilling and continuous risk assessment - School Administrators need to be prepared to handle moderate and or minor threats with the same level of focus, attention and command to ensure incidents are properly mitigated, reported and contained in short order to alleviate further damage, injury or loss of property.


This can be anything from a fallen tree involving property damage to a playground accident involving injury.  Likewise major storms can render a portion of your building(s) or multiply locations within your district to be in operable or unsafe.


With site incidents it starts with controlling the scene or incident by first establishing a safety perimeter by cordoning off the area affected and taking photos for inclusion in reporting for insurance and if necessary police report.  Immediate notification to central office administration followed by a quick summary "Incident Report" to Superintendent and Board to ensure facts are properly disseminated along with actions taken to assure the situation is under control.  This provides another record for insurance and if needed police report follow up as it should be clear, concise and fact based that reflect a description of the incident, steps taken and follow up actions as necessary to manage the incident until fully resolved.