Staff training is crucial to successful disaster planning. It should begin with the members of the disaster planning and response teams, and expand to include all staff. In particular, training staff in the mechanics of the plan ensures that they will be familiar with it and be able to use it effectively if an emergency occurs.
Disaster Planning Team
The disaster planning team can be trained in a variety of ways. Team members should certainly be encouraged to educate themselves through the use of books and articles on disaster planning, and to monitor online resources such as list-servs and web sites relating to disaster planning. More formal types of training should also be offered, such as disaster planning workshops by outside agencies or in-house training sessions (e.g., seminar, group discussion, case study exercise). Whatever type of training is chosen, the leader of the disaster planning team should be responsible for ensuring that all members of the team are periodically given the opportunity for additional training to keep up to date on new developments in disaster planning.
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Team member in charge of coordinating training for the disaster planning team: |
Library Director Paul Arrigo |
Describe current and planned training for the disaster planning team:
Disaster Response Team
All members of the Disaster Response Team must receive training (preferably hands-on) in first response procedures, salvage methods for damaged collections, and procedures for recognizing and dealing with any hazards that might be present at the disaster site. The fundamental goals of training should be to familiarize the team with all elements of the disaster plan and to give them experience working together as a team.
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Team member in charge of coordinating training for the disaster response team:
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Library Director Paul Arrigo |
Describe current and planned training for the disaster response team: There are various possible training methods, but remember that practical and hands-on training will be the most effective. Options include:
• Formal disaster response/recovery workshops (offered by library and conservation organizations)
• First aid and/or CPR training
• In-house training (e.g., hands-on sessions focused on specific topics, “tabletop” disaster exercises, or mock disasters)
• Individual use of books and articles on disaster response, salvage, recovery, and rehabilitation
• o Individual use of online resources (such as list-servs and websites) to keep up-to-date on new developments in disaster response, salvage, and recovery methods for collections
Subjects that should be addressed include:
• Team-building
• Handling wet and damaged collections
• Recovery procedures and the use of equipment
• Workplace health and safety (relating to emergency response)
• Proper use of protective clothing and equipment
• Hazards of exposure to mold
• Crisis counseling
General Staff Training
The importance of training all staff in emergency procedures and implementing the disaster plan cannot be overstated. Staff members are often the first line of defense against disasters, observing problems as they occur. They must recognize that there is a problem, know how to respond and know whom to call. The following training activities should be carried out regularly.
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Persons responsible for seeing that all training has been done: |
Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Review basic preventive measures during staff meetings (e.g., protection from water/fire, security procedures)
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Suggested frequency: |
September & January Meetings |
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Review specific evacuation routes and general emergency procedures during all-staff meeting
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Suggested frequency: |
October & February Meetings |
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Review procedures for the operation of the security system with appropriate staff
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Suggested frequency: |
November & March Meetings |
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Review procedures for the operation of the fire detection system with appropriate staff
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Suggested frequency: |
December & April Meetings |
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Review proper procedures for the operation of the fire suppression system with appropriate staff
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Suggested frequency: |
December & April Meetings |
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Review how to operate a fire extinguisher with all staff
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Suggested frequency: |
May Meeting |
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Hold staff meetings to review the proper implementation of the disaster plan (e.g., how to recognize a potential threat, what to do, how to report a problem, how and when to activate the plan)
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Suggested frequency: |
June Meeting |
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
Paul Arrigo, Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Conduct “tabletop” disaster exercise
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Frequency: |
July Meeting |
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Person responsible: |
Paul Arrigo, Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Conduct small-scale disaster simulation
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Frequency: |
August Meeting |
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Person responsible: |
Paul Arrigo, Circulation Coordinator & Brandi Case |
Conduct large-scale disaster simulation
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Frequency: |
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Person responsible: |
N/A |
First Aid/CPR Training
First Aid