Embracing Year-Round Emergency Planning with Modern Training Solutions

Year-round emergency preparedness supported by modern tools like VR, 3D modeling and multilingual training is essential for keeping employees safe and adapting to global and climate challenges.

• By Clare Epstein
• Oct 08, 2024

Emergency planning shouldn't be confined to just National Preparedness Month in September. It’s a rallying cry for every organization to take action year-round. Though it’s impossible to foresee natural disasters or entirely prevent workplace emergencies, proactive preparedness can drastically reduce their impact on employees, safeguarding lives and livelihoods when it matters most. In today’s unpredictable world, incorporating preparedness into a business strategy isn’t just a precaution; it’s a fundamental aspect of responsible business practices.

Why National Preparedness Month is a Year-Long State of Mind

National Preparedness Month is an annual FEMA initiative to boost awareness and encourage Americans to prepare for disasters and emergencies. This year’s National Preparedness Month campaign placed a spotlight on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect: the need for disability inclusion and accessibility throughout every stage of emergency planning and response. As the nation grows more diverse, so do its businesses, with employees representing a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, abilities and backgrounds. A recent study found that 83 percent of industrial workers view their company’s safety protocols as more performative than genuine safety commitments. Ensuring that preparedness is both up to date and inclusive is not just a priority—it’s an essential practice for maintaining employee safety, motivation and retention all year long.

Implementing Tools to Support Proper Preparedness

To meet the evolving needs of modern workforces and provide effective preparedness training, organizations should turn to modern technology like 3D training elements, virtual reality tools and segmented videos. These tools can enhance already established training or provide a library of content with engaging and diverse lessons. Whether it’s through personalized, gamified training modules or interactive simulations, there are innovative solutions that can make emergency preparedness accessible, relevant and compelling for every employee.

Enhancing Technical Training with 3D Modeling and Virtual Reality

Traditional training methods often rely on static images and diagrams, but advancements in 3D modeling technology and VR are providing more engaging training options. 3D and VR training content offers an interactive, immersive experience for learners to engage with complex systems in a simulated environment.

This hands-on approach enables employees to gain a deeper understanding of the dangers associated with certain equipment. Without having to experience a chemical fire or natural disaster, employees can still learn the best actions to take during an emergency, enhancing skill acquisition. Online content, including 3D and VR training, can be easily updated to reflect new procedures or incorporate changing regulations. Altogether these developments ensure training remains up to date without forcing organizations to invest in completely new materials.

Maximizing Learning with Micro-Sized Video Content

Another emerging trend working to keep training engaging is the shift towards shorter video modules—ideally 3 to 5 minutes in length—compared to longer, more traditional formats. This approach breaks down existing content into a reimagined structure to provide the modern learner with quick, digestible content. A key component of this content is the ability to offer just-in-time training when and where it matters most. Oftentimes, a QR code can be generated and put on a machine, allowing learners to quickly pull up the training content needed to complete a task.

These micro-sized modules allow workers to easily revisit critical concepts and procedures, making learning more accessible during a typical workday. Micro-sized content is not only helping employees retain the material, but it also enhances engagement throughout the lesson, supporting the retention of critical preparedness topics.

Adapting Training to Support a Global Workforce

Organizations need to ensure training is not only engaging but also reliable for all employees. For companies with a diverse workforce, training must be tailored to different global regions, languages and local trends.

For instance, an employee in the United States will likely need different training than an employee in Canada, as each country has unique regulations. In order to keep operations within the “status quo,” leadership should constantly have a pulse on changing regulations and begin implementing relevant materials into preparedness plans as early as possible.

Expanding Multilingual Training with Foreign Language Translation Libraries

In an increasingly globalized workforce, effective training across diverse languages is crucial for maintaining high standards in every commercial sector. That same study found half of non-native English speakers say their company doesn’t offer training in their native language. Language barriers were found to be a contributing factor in 25 percent of job-related accidents. And yet, workplaces still lack tools to provide employees with training in a language they are most familiar with.

Safety training is a critical component of protecting employees both mentally and physically and should be delivered to everyone in their native language. Today, there are multiple tools organizations can use in order to provide high-quality instruction to employees, regardless of linguistic background. This includes online training platforms that can deliver training in a variety of foreign languages. These programs go further than just translating materials in a translation app, but rather, they are linguistically correct and account for variations in how a native language is spoken.

By integrating these translation libraries, companies can standardize their training and foster a safer, more efficient work environment. The ability to provide training materials in multiple languages not only supports compliance with regulatory standards but also contributes to a sense of community and belonging.

Ensuring Training is Adaptable to Changing Weather Patterns

One of the best ways to keep emergency preparedness training relevant to a global workforce is to ensure it’s adaptable to changing weather conditions. By 2030, the International Labor Organization anticipates up to 3.8 percent of total working hours could be lost because of climate-induced high temperatures. The Earth’s record-high temperatures have an undeniable impact on organizations, especially those with outdoor-based employees.

To keep employees safe amid these evolving conditions, effective workplace emergency plans require regular updates to account for the increasing frequency of hurricanes, nor'easters and record-setting temperatures. As the saying goes, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Regular safety drills and continuous training are crucial for employees to understand what constitutes emergency conditions and be well-versed in shifts to operations and relevant safety procedures during an emergency. Planning and practicing these drills are not only essential but they’re often legally required to ensure a safe and prepared workforce.

Conclusion

Emergency preparedness training is a critical component of any successful and safe workforce. While National Preparedness Month sheds a light on the need for this training, employers should be making an effort to provide relevant, engaging materials all year long. Whether an organization is struggling to adapt training programs for global employees or needs to provide more engaging resources for new employees, there are resources out there to ease the time suck of supplying updated materials. Today’s modern tools are helping organizations across the world better support their employees, ensuring workforces are safe and prepared no matter what.