Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Planning
EPSHRM has compiled a list of emergency contacts and websites to aid our members and their employers with Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Planning.
December 2009 Update: SHRM has prepared extensive information regarding H1N1. Please see the link below.
Police
To contact the El Paso Police Department, please call 564-7000 or if it is an emergency, please call 911.
El Paso Police Department
2 Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 564-7000
(915) 564-7320 (FAX)
Fire and Ambulance
To contact the El Paso Fire Department, please call 771-1000 or if it is an emergency, please call 911.
El Paso Fire Department
8600 Montana Ave.
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 771-1000
(915) 771-1023 (FAX)
epfd@elpasotexas.gov
El Paso City and County Office of Emergency Management
The City and County of El Paso have implemented an Office of Emergency Management to deal with emergencies here at home. The website includes links to State and Federal agencies as well as emergency planning for home, school, and business. That website is located here http://www.epcounty.com/emergencymgt/. Or you may choose to phone, fax, or e-mail.
City & County of Emergency Management
Donald Berger, Coordinator
8500 Montana Ave.
El Paso, Texas 79925
(915) 771-1011
(915) 771-1026 (FAX)
oem@elpasotexas.gov
State of Texas
The State of Texas has compiled a comprehensive page full of links devoted to Emergency Preparedness and Management. These links include most cities and counties in Texas as well as links to Emergency Management Offices in other states.
Department of Public Safety Emergency Management Related Links
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DEM/links.htm
American Red Cross
Visit the website of the American Red Cross for tips and help in designing disaster preparedness and response: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_606_,00.html.
El Paso Area Chapter
American Red Cross
El Paso Area Chapter
3620 Admiral Street
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 592-0208
(915) 592-8751 (FAX)
elpaso@usa.redcross.org
http://www.redcrosselpaso.org
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has a website http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf with information about planning for a disaster, how to respond, and how they can help when and if you need it. Local chapters include:
El Paso (Temple), TX Corps Community Center
520 East Road
El Paso, TX 79915
Major Pedro S. Delgado
(915) 592-9099
Pedro_Delgado@usw.salvationarmy.org
El Paso (Citadel), TX Corps Community Center
4900 Hercules Avenue
El Paso TX, 79904
Major Ronald W. Wildman
(915) 755-4168
ronald_wildman@usw.salvationarmy.org
FEMA
FEMA has prepared an Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry and can be downloaded here http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/bizindst.pdf. Also, FEMA has quite a few resources available for disaster preparedness including information about disasters in progress located at the FEMA website http://www.fema.gov/.
Department of Labor
The Department of Labor has created a website on Effective Emergency Preparedness Planning: Addressing the Needs of Employees with Disabilities located at http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/effective.htm.
In addition, searching on the word "disaster" on the DOL website produced 2805 results, including some very informative and helpful tips for unemployment assistance from both the DOL and OSHA! Those results are located here: http://www.dol.gov/search/Search.aspx?search_term=disaster&offset=0.
Department of State
The State Department has a website devoted to Crisis Preparedness including information for Americans living and working abroad and even those who plan to travel abroad. That information is located at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1187.html.
OSHA
OSHA has prepared an eTool for Evacuation Plans and Procedures and can be found here on the OSHA website http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/.
Federal Government
The federal government has created a website devoted to disaster help and can be located here https://disasterhelp.gov/portal/jhtml/index.jhtml.
CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed an Emergency Preparedness and Response website including information on agents, diseases, and other threats. That information can be found at the CDC website here http://www.bt.cdc.gov/.
SHRM
The Society for Human Resource Management has developed a comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Toolkit. This toolkit not only includes links to FEMA, DOL, CDC, OSHA, et al, but also includes sample policies, communications, articles, and lists that can be used by Human Resource professionals when developing disaster and business continuity plans. That information can be accessed on the SHRM website at http://www.shrm.org/hrtools/toolkits_published/CMS_016206.asp.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu
In April 2009, a new strain of the Swine Flu, known as H1N1, was discovered. This new strain is not limited to animals and has spread quickly among the human population. While the number of world-wide cases is relatively low for a pandemic, health officials expect rapid spread of the disease during the upcoming flu season. And while the symptoms of the Swine Flu are relatively mild, it can still result in high absenteeism rates. To help our members prepare for the upcoming flu season, and the Swine Flu in particular, we have provided the following links. Also, for SHRM Members, sample policies and toolkits have been made available, please click here to view.
FLU FACTS & INFORMATION
General Business and Workplace Guidance for the Prevention of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Flu in Workers
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/workplace.htm
CDC Changes Advice on How Long People with Flu Should Stay Home
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm
Flu.gov
Checklists, communications, guidance and links for employers from government agencies.
http://www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/index.html
Swine Flu Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Vaccine recommendations, a state-by-state surveillance report and more facts and figures about the spread of H1N1 flu.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
Detailed workplace-related guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) including checklists of actions employers can take to protect employees, maintain operations and address work-related travel.
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/pandemicflu/index.html
EEOC Links
Employment Discrimination and the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu)
http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/h1n1.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Human Resource Policies and Pandemic Planning addresses employer questions such as sending workers home, pay issues, working at home and social distancing.
http://www.flu.gov/faq/workplace_questions/human_resource_policies/index.html
World Health Organization – Swine Flu Updates
Daily updates, including data on confirmed cases by country.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
CDC Travelers Health Home Page
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta have published a two-page flyer concerning what to do durnig a pandemic. Please click here or on the picture below for more information.
Update 10/20/09: Added information about how flu travels from one person to another.
Update 12/21/09: SHRM has extensive resources available for combatting H1N1. Please click here.