The first step in emergency management is identifying the risks to the organization. All hazards should be added to the list, not just those that are initially considered high risk. The graphic on the right is a sample of risk assessment considerations. Events are many and include pandemic flu, fires, earthquakes, nuclear or biologic terrorist attacks, etc. Then, each risk is evaluated based on the impact on the assets affected by the event. A grid can be used to perform this assessment. The assessment allows facility management to spend more resources planning for events that are most likely to occur and have the greatest impact on the facility's ability to provide patient care. A sample of a risk assessment grid is shown at the bottom of this page.
FEMA has many tools available for facilities to use in assessing risk levels. These tools are available on the web site and can be used to evaluate human, technological, and natural hazards. Available at:
https://www.ready.gov/risk-assessment. Accessed July 24, 2018.
