At the State of the City Luncheon in August, time simply did not permit recognizing the valuable work many local companies are doing to prepare their employees, their businesses and the community for large-scale emergencies, like May's Poinsettia Fire. The Ready Carlsbad Business Alliance seeks to spotlight such work through the presentation of the RCBA Emergency Preparedness Award.
Carlsbad is extremely fortunate to have such robust business emergency programs, plans and resources in our community. With the height of the traditional fire season (October-November) yet ahead of us, companies might implement best practices such as these in their emergency preparedness programs.
Join the Ready Carlsbad Business Alliance from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 for a breakfast symposium focusing on disaster recovery lessons learned during the Poinsettia Fire at the Carlsbad Safety Training Center, 5750 Orion St. Please RSVP through the Chamber by going to www.carlsbad.org or calling 760-931-8400.
This year's winner, SDG&E, was recognized in September's CBJ.
• NRG Energy, Inc. maintains a robust training program and stores supplies for an emergency workforce for a week. All employees receive emergency preparedness training. NRG maintains a 42-foot disaster relief vehicle/26-foot trailer combination to provide 40 kilowatts of emergency power, emergency shelter, access to news and information. It also generously contributes to community recovery programs.
• Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas maintains a proactive preparedness program integrated with local public safety, health care and civil authorities.
Scripps' program follows the Hospital Incident Command System, its effectiveness is evaluated during hospital Joint Commission accreditation.
It also performs annual hazard vulnerability analysis. It recently conducted the region's most comprehensive "active shooter" SWAT exercise.
• LEGOLAND California Resort: maintains a comprehensive emergency preparedness program including 24 hour security, emergency medical technicians, certified lifeguards, health clinic, emergency supply trailers, emergency operations center and executive planning center.
A designated supply staging area for San Diego County, LEGOLAND offers its facilities for training, and works closely with Carlsbad Police and Fire.
• Westfield Carlsbad maintains a comprehensive and highly detailed emergency response plan, checklists, emergency supplies lists and response organization rosters.
It coordinates emergency contact information and planning for over 140 tenants. Westfield actively and generously supports large-scale medical point of distribution (POD) and temporary evacuation point (TEP) operations conducted in adjacent parking lots.
• Park Hyatt Aviara's emergency program focuses on realistic exercises and disaster simulations. Fire drills and evacuations are practiced regularly, and PHA works closely with Carlsbad Fire/Police Departments. Employees are involved in all exercises, which include debriefs and lessons learned identification. PHA sponsored fund raising activities to contribute to community recovery.
• Omni La Costa Resort & Spa has developed 30+ emergency response procedures. OLC follows ReadySanDiego's preparedness model: plan development, kit preparation, staying informed, getting involved. OLC's response structure consists of a Crisis Management Team, Emergency Response Team and Internal Emergency Contact Team.
During the May fires, Omni supported the evacuation of Aviara schools and provided meals to first responders.
• All Cats Hospital has an emergency response protocol. The plan identifies response actions and predetermined evacuation site. Emergency preparedness awareness gained during protocol development enabled staff to respond quickly during the Poinsettia Fire, which threatened the hospital. An alternative evacuation site ensured pets and staff were safely evacuated.
Carlsbad is extremely fortunate to have such robust business emergency programs, plans and resources in our community. With the height of the traditional fire season (October-November) yet ahead of us, companies might implement best practices such as these in their emergency preparedness programs.
Join the Ready Carlsbad Business Alliance from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 for a breakfast symposium focusing on disaster recovery lessons learned during the Poinsettia Fire at the Carlsbad Safety Training Center, 5750 Orion St. Please RSVP through the Chamber by going to www.carlsbad.org or calling 760-931-8400.
This year's winner, SDG&E, was recognized in September's CBJ.
• NRG Energy, Inc. maintains a robust training program and stores supplies for an emergency workforce for a week. All employees receive emergency preparedness training. NRG maintains a 42-foot disaster relief vehicle/26-foot trailer combination to provide 40 kilowatts of emergency power, emergency shelter, access to news and information. It also generously contributes to community recovery programs.
• Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas maintains a proactive preparedness program integrated with local public safety, health care and civil authorities.
Scripps' program follows the Hospital Incident Command System, its effectiveness is evaluated during hospital Joint Commission accreditation.
It also performs annual hazard vulnerability analysis. It recently conducted the region's most comprehensive "active shooter" SWAT exercise.
• LEGOLAND California Resort: maintains a comprehensive emergency preparedness program including 24 hour security, emergency medical technicians, certified lifeguards, health clinic, emergency supply trailers, emergency operations center and executive planning center.
A designated supply staging area for San Diego County, LEGOLAND offers its facilities for training, and works closely with Carlsbad Police and Fire.
• Westfield Carlsbad maintains a comprehensive and highly detailed emergency response plan, checklists, emergency supplies lists and response organization rosters.
It coordinates emergency contact information and planning for over 140 tenants. Westfield actively and generously supports large-scale medical point of distribution (POD) and temporary evacuation point (TEP) operations conducted in adjacent parking lots.
• Park Hyatt Aviara's emergency program focuses on realistic exercises and disaster simulations. Fire drills and evacuations are practiced regularly, and PHA works closely with Carlsbad Fire/Police Departments. Employees are involved in all exercises, which include debriefs and lessons learned identification. PHA sponsored fund raising activities to contribute to community recovery.
• Omni La Costa Resort & Spa has developed 30+ emergency response procedures. OLC follows ReadySanDiego's preparedness model: plan development, kit preparation, staying informed, getting involved. OLC's response structure consists of a Crisis Management Team, Emergency Response Team and Internal Emergency Contact Team.
During the May fires, Omni supported the evacuation of Aviara schools and provided meals to first responders.
• All Cats Hospital has an emergency response protocol. The plan identifies response actions and predetermined evacuation site. Emergency preparedness awareness gained during protocol development enabled staff to respond quickly during the Poinsettia Fire, which threatened the hospital. An alternative evacuation site ensured pets and staff were safely evacuated.