Automation and AI are changing the face of IT service, but some things never change. When incidents happen, people, processes, and tools must converge to comprehend and tame a whirlwind of complexity and change. Minutes are counted in monetary measures.

This webinar takes a clear, research-based approach to building the business case for adaptive incident response. Join Valerie O’Connell, Research Director for Enterprise Management Associates, a leading research firm and Matt Frauenhoffer, a hands-on ITOps practitioner from Everbridge as they share a qualitative and quantitative approach to the topic.

In this guide, we will cover the three primary reasons why tornado preparedness is vital for the success of emergency managers. 

Workplace violence is a significant concern that affects employee well-being and safety as well as the overall success of a business. According to statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workplace violence impacts over 37,000 US workers each year. This issue not only poses severe consequences for all employees but can introduce hefty costs for organizations. As employers, it is crucial to prioritize the safety of employees and take proactive measures to prevent workplace violence and maintain operations.

In this blog, we will explore practical strategies to ensure safe workplaces and reduce the risk of violence. If you’d like information specifically about active shooter preparedness, read our new “2023 Active Shooter Preparedness Report” to learn valuable insights from over 800 organizations. 

1. Create violence, harassment, and bullying prevention policies 

Establishing comprehensive policies addressing violence, harassment, and bullying is essential. These policies should clearly define unacceptable behavior, provide guidelines for reporting incidents, and outline disciplinary measures. By establishing a zero-tolerance approach and communicating it to all employees, organizations can foster a culture of respect and create a safer work environment. Regularly review and update these policies to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with evolving workplace dynamics. 

2. Implement training and awareness programs 

Training and awareness programs play a crucial role to prevent workplace violence. These programs should cover topics such as anti-bullying strategies, conflict resolution, mental health awareness, and the five types of violence (criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker, domestic, and ideological). By educating employees on recognizing warning signs, managing conflicts, and promoting a culture of non-violence, organizations can empower individuals to respond effectively. Offer periodic refresher training sessions to reinforce these principles and provide employees with the tools to de-escalate potentially volatile situations. 

3. Establish clear reporting procedures 

Employees need to feel confident in reporting incidents without fear of retaliation. Employers should establish reporting mechanisms that ensure trust, confidentiality, and a commitment to addressing concerns promptly. It is crucial to communicate these reporting procedures clearly to every employee, making them aware of the channels available and emphasizing that their safety is a top priority. Provide multiple avenues for reporting, such as anonymous hotlines or online reporting systems, to accommodate different preferences and comfort levels. 

4. Enhance site security measures 

Implementing security measures can significantly help prevent workplace violence. This includes visitor access management, video surveillance systems, security guards or patrols, entry systems (such as key cards or pins), and panic buttons. By having these measures in place, and integrating systems, organizations can deter potential threats and provide a sense of security to employees. Conduct regular assessments of security protocols to identify any vulnerabilities and make necessary improvements to ensure an effective security infrastructure. 

5. Perform regular risk assessments 

Regular risk assessments are vital for identifying potential areas of improvement. Assessments should evaluate training completion rates, adherence to policies, and any gaps in preventive measures. By conducting thorough risk assessments, organizations can proactively address vulnerabilities and take corrective actions to enhance safety protocols. Engage employees in the risk assessment process by soliciting their feedback and observations to gain valuable insights into potential risks and implement targeted interventions. 

6. Use communication channels to ensure employee safety 

In dangerous or life-threatening situations, effective communication channels are critical. Employers should utilize emergency communication tools and systems to disseminate timely information to employees. Emergency notification systems, mobile apps, or panic buttons can be employed to quickly alert and guide employees during crises, ensuring their safety. Conduct regular drills and simulations to familiarize employees with emergency procedures and test the efficiency of communication channels. 

7. Maintain a healthy workplace 

A healthy work environment contributes to overall employee well-being and reduces the likelihood of violence. Organizations should foster a professional and caring workplace culture that promotes open communication, work-life balance, and professional development opportunities. Implementing employee well-being programs and providing resources for mental health support can also contribute to a positive and safe work environment. Encourage open dialogue, establish employee assistance programs, and offer flexible work arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance. 

8. Conduct post-event analysis 

Following any workplace violence incident, a thorough post-event analysis is crucial. This analysis involves assessing the reasons behind the event, identifying any system failings, and determining what preventive measures can be implemented to prevent similar incidents. By learning from past experiences, organizations can adapt policies and prevention methods to strengthen their overall safety protocols. Involve employees in the analysis process by encouraging them to provide insights and suggestions for improvement. 

Build resilience against workplace violence  

Preventing workplace violence is an imperative responsibility for employers. By implementing preventive measures such as comprehensive policies, training programs, effective reporting systems, security measures, regular risk assessments, communication channels, and maintaining a healthy work environment, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of workplace violence.  

It is vital to continuously evaluate and improve preventive strategies to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of employees. Together, we can create workplaces where employees feel protected, respected, and can thrive without the fear of violence. By prioritizing safe environments, employers demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being and create a foundation for a harmonious and productive workplace. 

For more specific information on active shooter preparedness, download this year’s, “2023 Active Shooter Preparedness Report”. Learn from over 800 organizations on this important topic and how to do better to keep our people safe and organizations running.  

The duty to care for employees and protect them from undue risk has never been more important. Each year, the U.S. experiences an estimated 240 million calls made to 9-1-1. Because of this, lawmakers have enacted federal regulations like Kari’s Law and the RAY BAUM’s Act. These legislations help ensure certain protections are provided during emergency situations. For example, emergency calls must be routed to the correct call center and a caller’s exact location needs to be easily identifiable.  

Mass notifications help organizations fulfill their duty of care

However, businesses should not just prioritize compliance with these important federal legislations. Leaders need to be able to quickly alert their people to keep them out of harm’s way. By integrating E911 technology with enhanced notification and alerting software, organizations can ensure 100% compliance while protecting their people. These solutions help to define the “who, when, and where” during emergency situations and automatically communicate this information to employees. Below, we will explain the many benefits organizations gain by integrating E911 and mass notification systems.

Organizations have an obligation to keep employees safe, whether they are on-site, working remotely, or traveling for business. Businesses and security professionals must be able to effectively respond to physical and digital threats that might impact their teams. This responsibility is only magnified by today’s increase in risk events.    

With an automated mass notification system, organizations can quickly reach team members anywhere, anytime. Leaders can notify their teams in case of emergency, enable reliable two-way communication, and mobilize a response team if necessary.

Read our white paper, “From Chaos to Control: The importance of integrated notification and response systems in emergency situations”, to learn more.

E911 technology enables compliance with U.S. federal legislation 

Organizations are now required to comply with two E911 regulations: Kari’s Law and the RAY BAUM’s Act:

Kari’s Law

Kari’s Law requires that anyone must be able to dial 9-1-1 from a multi-line telephone system (MLTS) and reach services without interruption or delay. The law was made in honor of Kari Hunt whose daughter tried dialing 9-1-1 on her behalf. However, she could not reach help due to having to dial “9” before 9-1-1.

The RAY BAUM’s Act

The RAY BAUM’s Act requires organizations to automatically provide an emergency caller’s “dispatchable location” to the nearest emergency call center or Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The dispatchable location must include detailed location information such as a street address, floor, apartment, or suite number. The goal is for emergency responders to be able to find the caller without undue delay.

These regulations ensure that individuals receive critical help as quickly and easily as possible during emergencies. Additionally, Kari’s Law and the RAY BAUM’s Act helps responders reach a caller’s exact location even inside large, crowded buildings. E911 solutions ensure compliance with these two federal regulations and help fulfill an organization’s duty of care to employees. With cloud-based E911 solutions, companies can protect their workforce, especially as mobile and work-from-home models become the standard.

E911 addresses three business challenges:  

• Find: Quickly locate an employee who dials 9-1-1. 
• Route: Correctly route a 9-1-1 call to the PSAP closest to the caller’s location versus the headquarters’ location.  
• Notify: Ensure on-site security is aware of the emergency, where it is located in the building or campus, and whether they can provide additional help to the emergency caller or first responders upon arrival.

More powerful together: Combining RedSky E911 and mass notification with incident communications

Organizations can enhance emergency management, streamline everyday operations, and strengthen organizational resilience with an integrated E911 and mass notification solution. Automating mass notifications helps to increase efficiency and improve the impact your team members can make in critical situations.  

Overall, organizations need to uphold their duty of care to employees and promote a safe, secure environment. Beyond that, compliance with Kari’s Law and the RAY BAUM’s Act is a federal mandate. Companies may be liable if emergency callers cannot reach 911 services or be located within your enterprise. Organizations can achieve duty of care and federal compliance goals by combining E911 and mass notification technology.  

Everbridge provides organizations in the U.S. and Canada with a world-class, integrated E911 and mass notification solution. E911 powered by RedSky ensures federal E911 compliance while Everbridge Mass Notification enhances incident communications. Whether on or off campus, our platform dynamically locates users, routes the 9-1-1 call to the nearest PSAP, and notifies security personnel. Everbridge can also automatically alert designated individuals of the emergency and leaders can facilitate evacuations or take additional actions if necessary.  

To begin your journey toward compliance and a safer, more resilient organization, read “From Chaos to Control: The importance of integrated notification and response systems in emergency situations”.   

Curious about enhancing your notification capabilities or complying with federal E911 legislation? Get in touch at redskypartners@everbridge.com to learn more. 

Recent years have been marked by a series of critical events that have challenged the resilience of organizations across the globe. From cyberattacks to natural disasters, these events have demonstrated the importance of strengthening organizational resilience. Companies that fail to prioritize resilience and prepare for the unexpected can face severe consequences, including lost revenue, damaged reputation, and even failure.

However, there are critical event management solutions specifically developed to help organizations mitigate the impact of critical events and build resilience, such as those offered by Everbridge. These solutions not only empower leaders to manage the entire lifecycle of critical events, from assessing and responding to performing post-mortem analysis, but also offer a tangible return on investment. In fact, a 2023 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting found that a composite organization based on interviewed customers using Everbridge CEM experienced a 358% return on investment over a 3-year period. This statistic highlights the crucial role that critical event management solutions play in building organizational resilience and effectively mitigating the impact of unexpected events. Whether they are a result of a disaster or natural causes, Everbridge can help organizations better navigate unpredictable disruptions and reduce impact across operations.