PROPER PLANNING AND PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR RESULTS

LIFE IS A RISK! You may not believe that but I am. In this generation of
technological advancement where there is a 24-hour news and social media usage and
coverage all over the world, we are seeing disasters unfolding in our mobile, computer and
television screens regularly. We are witnessing natural-made disasters like earthquake,
typhoons, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, landslides, drought, famine and
the like. It is also saddening to realize that man can also be the originator of disaster
through acts of terrorism, war and strife, fires, accidents and even bio-chemical hazards.
We may encounter ourselves such events or even watching powerlessly from the sidelines
looking into small screens how other people battle and suffer from those disasters. Life is
really a risk and the risk involve in such events are fatal that can result in human, animal,
environmental and economic loss. We are living in the world full of risk. There is no way to
live a life devoid of risk. It is part of human life that can cause both pain and growth. And
disasters are part of human risk in this planet. Though most of the disasters are results of
natures wrath which is unavoidable, and most of the man-made disaster can be prevented
if there are no lapses in human judgments and actions, as human beings who are gifted
with rational thinking we can do something to minimize the risk we can encounter in our
lives brought about by disasters. We accept the fact that disasters cannot be prevented
entirely, but their impact can be reduced by the way they are managed.
The above statement would be the theme of this reflective paper that imposes the
importance and relevance of studying RISK and DISASTER MANAGEMENT regardless of
the nature of work an individual does. Just like how I started this paper saying LIFE IS A
RISK, if we are living here on earth we have to study and be knowledgeable in RISK and
DISASTER MANAGEMENT to minimize their effects our lives. Specifically, as a student of
Human Resource Management, it is by nature of this degree to care and nurture human
life. The by-product of such profession is to create a productive and innovative workforce. It
is of essence that people who are part of human resource management are inclined in
protecting and caring human life and human assets when disaster strikes a certain
organization, community and nation.

As an HR, it is in our daily functions that we deal about human activities and
interactions making sure that every activity is synchronize to achieve the mandate of every
organization and enterprise. The HR department is chiefly responsible for establishing and
implementing employment policies and procedures. They are the main communicator with
regard to employment policies and procedures with employees.
This is one of the primary reasons that HR will be involved in risk, disaster and
emergency management preparedness, including preventing emergency occurrences,
responding to them, and cleaning up afterwards should one occur. The HR department is
the go-to department when it comes to employment policies and procedures and what to do
in emergency situations. HR professionals are one of the prime movers in the creation risk
and disaster policies.
This is one of the reasons why this subject is relevant to our chosen degree. HR is the
go to guy when crisis and disaster will strike. This subject will prepare us to our present and
future role as HR personnel. Below are examples of HR responsibilities, procedures, and
other things that need to be taken into consideration in advance as part of risk, disaster and
emergency management preparedness plan. These should be assigned/answered in
advance or delegated to someone before an emergency occurs:

working with emergency responders

protecting and calming employees, updating them, and addressing grief issues
participating in the investigation and root cause analysis
handling discipline issues and the evaluation of the legality of employee responses

and retaliation concerns

assisting with responses to law enforcement; to fire marshals, to local and state

government officials; to the media

integrating work with legal counsel
crafting internal and external communications
managing pay and benefits for disrupted employees
handling compliance questions related to travel, relocation, remote-work and

temporary employees
obtaining medical information about injured and killed employees
overseeing and regulating social media and electronic communications

providing documentation of training, procedures, personnel and other records to

investigating agencies (including documentation of job safety analyses, mandatory
training, employee action plans, emergency response plans, fire prevention plans,
etc.)

With this list, we can see how important it is to address emergency management
preparedness in advance. This is where HR personnel are in the position to provide
leadership and support when disaster and emergency situation arises. This subject is a
perfect fit for the nature of work and activities of someone who works in HR department.
Additionally, employee training is one of the key pieces of risk and disaster
management preparedness, but it can only be implemented after the HR department and
management team have developed policies and procedures to deal with emergencies and
catastrophes. Training people and spreading awareness regarding emergencies and
disasters is for me the best thing an HR personnel can do in risk and disaster management.
It is more important to empower people to help themselves and others when disaster
strikes rather than waiting for search and rescue for their survival and safety. This is an
area where HR would really be effective making people aware of the value of disaster
management. Preparing and educating people that without disaster management,
everyone is a victim of the event and the myriad reactions that others have to the event. By
having a disaster management plan, people will have a way in which they can improve their
chances for their personal and collective survival, protect property, protect vital resources,
and recover both faster and more completely. Educating and training people what to do
before, during and after a disaster will create a difference between survival and casualties.
With such activities of HR coupled with proper planning with authorities in risk and disaster
with the support of management, a certain organization can prevent fatalities and negative
results. And before I end may I also point out the importance of risk and disaster
management as an individual.

As an individual, we ourselves should also be mindful on how to manage risk and

disaster. We should not let the government and legal authorities to always play the role of
rescuer and provider of help but we must be vigilant and active also in disaster
management especially in disaster preparedness. We should be mindful in reducing our
exposures to hazards, lessening our vulnerability and increasing our capability to prepare
and combat upcoming disaster. Preparation and clear communication are the keys in
winning over disaster. We need to pursue also the necessary actions to lessen the burden
of the government when disaster strikes. By doing this we will be able to save our lives, our
family and the things we value in life. May I end my writing with the old saying that goes this
way proper planning prevents poor results and this applies to disasters as much any
other situation. Disaster management is the key to helping people prepare for disasters,
and help them rebuild once the disaster is over.