Emergency procedure

An Emergency procedure (pronunciation: /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi prəˈsiːdʒər/) is a plan of actions to be conducted in a certain order or manner, in response to an emergency event.

Etymology

The term "emergency" originates from the Latin word "emergere" which means "to arise, bring to light". The term "procedure" comes from the Latin word "procedere" which means "to go forward".

Definition

An emergency procedure is designed to mitigate the negative effects of sudden and unforeseen situations. These situations can range from natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, to man-made incidents such as fires and chemical spills. The procedure provides a set of instructions that aim to protect lives, preserve the environment, and minimize property damage.

Types of Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures can be broadly classified into two categories: evacuation procedures and lockdown procedures.

Evacuation procedures are designed to move people away from an area of danger to a safer place. This could be due to a fire, bomb threat, or natural disaster.
Lockdown procedures are designed to keep people safe by remaining in a secure location. This could be due to an active shooter situation, chemical spill, or biological threat.

Related Terms

Emergency management: The organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all aspects of emergencies.
Emergency services: Organizations which ensure public safety by addressing different emergencies.
First aid: The immediate assistance given to any person suffering a serious illness or injury.
Disaster recovery: The process, policies, and procedures related to preparing for recovery or continuation of technology infrastructure critical to an organization after a natural or human-induced disaster.