Gordon Graham
Category: Public Safety

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol.  

Today’s Tip deals with planning for a pandemic and applies to all public safety organizations. 

An effective pandemic plan combines both preparation and response measures.

Are you aware that the seasonal flu is responsible for more than 11 million sick days each year in the U.S.? Given this statistic, can you imagine the impact pandemic influenza would have on your organization?  

The onset and outcome of a pandemic is unpredictable. Its severity will vary based on geographical location, climate, population density, weather, and type of illness. A well thought out pandemic plan will minimize the negative impacts of an outbreak.  

The main challenge most organizations will face in the wake of a pandemic is how to maintain critical operations with limited staff. Absenteeism rates for moderate outbreaks are predicted to be 10% to 25%. Larger population centers may experience even higher rates of absenteeism. And employees who have contracted a pandemic illness may not return to work for weeks or even months.  

An effective pandemic plan combines both preparation and response measures. In preparation for an outbreak, an organization may first determine which activities are vital to maintaining operations and then identify the staff needed to support them. A complimentary response strategy would be to cross-train employees to perform multiple job functions.  

A pandemic plan can serve as a vital resource for public safety organizations in the event of a widespread public health crisis. It can provide these organizations with the strategies and procedures they need to protect and preserve lives. 

Does your organization have a pandemic plan in place? It is better to find out sooner rather than later. 

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham signing off.