Are Disaster and Emergency Plans Truly Complete?

Dunstan Newman,Nadine Newman

doi:10.5860/llm.v29i3.7115

Dunstan Newman, Nadine Newman

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5860/llm.v29i3.7115

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance or template to libraries and also other different types of institutions as to how they can complete, update or write their disaster and emergency manuals to include a section which specifically addresses roles, duties and responsibilities (RDRs). This research shares valuable information as writing RDRs can be challenging and time consuming. The findings indicate that most disaster and emergency manuals are incomplete if RDRs are not included and this was evident from the vast number of documents and literature reviewed. Success in any attempt to have a complete disaster and emergency management process would require a section that focuses specifically on RDRs as this allows for better preparedness, training and continuity planning. This paper provides practical guidance as it is relevant when completing, updating or writing disaster and emergency manuals irrespective of the type of institution. This paper contains new/additional information from a number of sources into one about the RDRs for members of a disaster committee in varying institutions.

Highlights

Planning for unanticipated disasters can be a very formidable and daunting task for most individuals and organizations
There was some difficulty in accessing some of the disaster plans that were not available electronically as distance made it impossible to access them
Lyall (1996) defines a disaster plan as “a document which describes the procedures devised to prevent and prepare for disaster, and those proposed to respond to recover from disaster when they occur.”

Summary

Introduction

Planning for unanticipated disasters can be a very formidable and daunting task for most individuals and organizations. Decision makers and emergency managers and coordinators, through an informed committee and a well-organized plan, play a critical role in lessening the consequences of a disaster. Are these plans truly comprehensive or complete? The procedures for protecting the collections and institutional assets cannot be implemented without a disaster committee that has clear and concise roles, duties and responsibilities (RDRs). These RDRs should be documented for all the disaster committee’s members and other persons who are responsible for specific functions.

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