Disaster Response expert prepares for busy Hurricane season
Released on = March 24, 2006, 2:23 pm
Press Release Author = Michele Swanger
Industry = Industrial
Press Release Summary = Disaster response expert provides consulting, disaster preparedness, response and assistance to corporations, hospitals and industry during disasters.
Press Release Body = Atlanta, GA March 27, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hal Lowder, President of Eagle Watch Consulting Group is paying close attention to weather forecasters and their take on the upcoming hurricane season. "Hurricane season begins in just over two months, so we are really doing a lot of pre-planning and training right now, as well as monitoring all of the weather resources to see what to expect this year. In our experience, even with events such as Katrina, Rita and Wilma last season, we are not seeing a lot of preparation from corporations." "As we saw last season, the reliance on government response agencies could spell disaster. In our experience, those that prepare before disaster strikes fare much better."
The Eagle Watch Group takes the all-hazard approach to disasters and working with the private sector to prepare and implement disaster plans. "What we find, is that while corporations employ great management, they just are not trained or equipped in the management of emergencies." "We have staff that have been employed and trained in emergency management, security, emergency medical services, fire services and incident command."
"Last year during Katrina we were preparing even before the storm hit and we had teams on stand by and were able to get into Louisiana within 48 hours of being called. Unfortunately the government resources in the area were overwhelmed and bureaucratic red tape prevented government agencies from being deployed rapidly. It seems that nobody wants to make the final call."
Eagle Watch Group provides consulting, threat assessments and planning prior to any type of disaster. During the incident the group is available to advise corporate management on decisions that are unique to disaster planning, and afterward to help corporation's liaison with government responders. "This is what we do; we are used to solving problems when there is no time to send it out to a committee. Again, pre-planning is necessary to a successful disaster. Knowing what you will do, where to go, get resources, all of these decisions should be made prior to an emergency." "I compare it to reading the directions on a fire extinguisher; when the fire is getting to you, it is not the time to be reading the directions, you should know by that time" states Lowder.
During Katrina, one of Eagle Watch's teams spent two months providing personal protective services and disaster consulting for a major hospital that had to be evacuated, and then assisted with the continuation of services. During this operation, they had to contend with Rita and associated weather. During the whole operation, the team basically had no assistance from governmental agencies, but we were able to free them up for other jobs. "We did a little of everything there, our guys pitched in and actually moved patients, prepared meals, worked on generators and monitored weather conditions and advised management." The group uses state of the art satellite communication to stay in touch when communication services fail.
First Response agencies have their own incident management system, unique vernacular and command styles that the private sector just does not have the training for and Lowder states that they also try to bridge that gap. "Our goal is to help corporations, hospitals, and industry; prepare, recognize their threats, get them through the emergency and then get them back in operation as soon as possible." "Again, in our experience, those that wait for a response from the traditional government agencies may have to wait while the emergency response is prioritized."
Lowder has had experience in many disasters; Hugo, Katrina, Rita, Wilma, a few tornadoes, blizzards and other emergency responses such as hazardous material incidents and major fires. For more information contact Hal Lowder, 770-287-7694
Web Site = http://www.eaglewatchinvestigations.com
Contact Details = EWI 3630 Thompson Bridge Road Suite 15 #333 Gainesville, Ga 30506 770-287-7694 eaglewatch@bellsouth.net