Hotelier - Hotel Training Forum

Tsunami has become external threats for most resorts & hotels especially those with beach front view and direct access. We all have learned how this so called natural disaster has wiped out thousands of lives in the past where we have to admit that no hotels were ready to react over the disaster.

Today, with several incidents that we can use as reference and learning point – Hotelier & Hotel Training Forum would like to share some simple best practices to assist your hotel getting ready ahead of time in dealing with this unexpected event. Despite of all advanced technology that has been deployed to detect any possible tsunami strike, there’s no 100% guarantee that all predictions are valid.

Therefore, disaster preparedness will help you and your hotel team save lives, confident in handling unexpected situation and knows exactly what to do in a tsunami event. Yet, with your preparedness, you will gain more trust from your clients and potentials.

How to become Tsunami Ready Hotels?

Following are few best practices that you can implement in your hotel or resort:

1. Establish Tsunami Assembly Point

2. Establish Tsunami Escape Route

3. Prepare Emergency Response Pack

4. Establish Crisis Management Team

5. Establish Crisis Center

6. Socialize and Train

Establish Tsunami Assembly Point

To do this, identify larger space at highest level of your building. Particularly meeting rooms at level 4 and above. Should this is not available you may decide to use corridors as assembly point. The Assembly Point will serve as meeting and gathering point for everyone in the hotel, therefore this assembly point must be accessible at all time.

Establish Tsunami Escape Route

Guest is still guest, doesn’t matter how many times they visited your hotel/resort chances are they will get lost. Therefore, clear and concise signages that lead them to the assembly point are essential in guiding your guests to assembly point. Tsunami Escape Route Signs best placed at all staircases and should lead to higher level.

Prepare Emergency Response Pack

In an emergency situation, often we struggle find things causing chaotic situation. With Emergency Response Pack enable your Crisis Management Team act in confident manner, immediate and in a professional way instill confident to the guests. The Emergency Response Pack should be handy and filled with basic equipment that may needed in an emergency situation. For example following is list of equipment that you may consider:

• Torch Light

• Disposable Face Masks

• Cyalume Light Sticks

• Waterproof Matches

• Claw Hammer

• Screwdriver Set

• First Aid

• Reflective Safety Vest

• Bolt Cutter

• More…add your own list

Establish Crisis Management Team

Crisis Management Team particularly important to organize actions that may needed. Organization is required to ensure ‘who does what’ take place and everyone in the team knows exactly their role and responsibilities. This will also be important component in decision making process so that we will not miss out any crucial information prior decision is made. Normally, crisis management team is formed of senior managers in the hotel.

Establish Crisis Center

Define specific place within the hotel where your crisis management team can gather and assemble. Crisis center particularly important for your team to organize actions and communicate with everyone on the scene as well as make decisions as required.

Socialize and Train

Socialization and Training is extremely important. No point having your signs installed all over the places but no one recognize it and no one knows anything.

For further assistance and setup please feel free to contact: info@mcprieassociates.com