VA GPD Organizational Disaster Plans
SECTION 1: UNDERSTAND RISKS
Goal:
Identify what disasters (natural, manmade, or pandemic) can happen and how they can impact the organization.
GPD Requirement:
“Disaster Plan. GPD regulations #5 include a requirement that GPD-funded projects have a written disaster plan that has been coordinated with the emergency management entity responsible for the locality in which the project resides. The plan encompasses natural and manmade disasters.”
The GPD Inspection Handbook also requires a risk assessment: Chief of VA Police Service or designee has coordinated with the organization to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of the project. Organization adequately addresses safety and security concerns based on location, population(s) served, and facility structure (VA GPD Inspection Checklist #59 & 66).
Objectives:
| Objectives | Outcomes | Tools Checklist |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify potential hazards to the organization or community 2. Assess how these hazards can impact the organization | A completed Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) | • Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) Template |
Actions:
A. Getting Ready
1. Find the organization’s existing disaster or emergency plans (e.g., Fire Emergency Plan, Emergency Action Plans, Evacuation Plans, Emergency Procedures, Disaster and Emergency Procedures).
a. Is the information in these plans current and up-to-date? Identify needed changes.
b. What hazards or emergency situations do these plans cover? This exercise will identify other disasters and emergencies that the organization should prepare for.
2. Learn about potential hazards in your region using FEMA’s National Risk Index Map. Click on each county to learn about 1) the most common hazards using the “Hazard Type Risk Ratings,” 2) Social Vulnerability, and 3) Community Resilience. Counties rated as High in Social Vulnerability or Low in Community Resilience may have large surges in client demand for homeless services after disasters because more community members are in need and the safety net may be weaker.
3. Seek out more detailed local information from local emergency management entities or local VA Police. Other possible sources of detailed local information are:
a. Local emergency service agencies, public safety agencies, VA Police, or VA Emergency Managers.
b. Reference written materials—Possible sources include your local fire department, local emergency services agency websites, or documents provided by the local emergency manager or VA Police. Examples include:
i. Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country: https://www.earthquakecountry.org/library/PuttingDownRootsSoCal2011.pdf
ii. Plan for Hazards- New York City Department of Emergency Management: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/ready/plan-hazards.page
c. Social media—Follow the local VA facility or local emergency management entities on social media. Subscribe only to the official accounts of recognized government entities.
4. For scatter-site housing GPD models: Consider hazards that may affect Veterans living in the community.
B. Completing the Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) Template
1. Using the FEMA National Risk Index for the county, highlight or circle the items in the first column under Natural Hazards on the HVA template that are rated Relatively High or Very High.
2. Highlight or circle additional hazards under Organizational Hazards that could very likely occur in the organization or community.
3. Identify the top 5 priorities for the organization to focus on when planning for disasters. Mark these (1-5) in the “Priority” column on the HVA.
4. For these 5 hazards, use the “Impacts” columns on the HVA template to write a brief description of how they could impact the organization, including the local community, facility, staff availability, and Veterans. The questions below serve as a guide.
| Broad Questions | In what ways could the hazard damage or harm the facility or community?How could the hazard impact the safety or health of staff, Veterans, etc.? |
| Specific Questions | In what way could it interrupt the staff’s ability to work?What types of damage could it cause to the facility?Which utilities could be vulnerable to disruption?How could communication be impacted?In what ways could transportation become an issue?How could the facility become inaccessible?How will a sudden surge of Veterans or other clients affect the organization, staff, and Veterans?If applicable, how will hazards affect Veterans living offsite in the community? |