Disaster on disaster: Unique challenges for catastrophe preparedness in 2021
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While the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic upended operations around the world last year, enterprises had to scramble to prepare for hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires and other natural disasters. As a result, many had to put together more ad hoc measures than usual to account for shuttered physical locations, strained supply chains, already interrupted or diminished business, and a workforce that was either adapting to new remote arrangements or was struggling with the danger of showing up every day.
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Disaster preparation and response are additionally complicated by decreases in the number of on-site workers, whether due to limited capacity, reduced workforces or a greater volume of personal emergencies. “It has made managing emergency response more challenging over the past year, as reduced personnel may expose companies’ premises to damage from natural catastrophes, delay business restart, and impair emergency response,” said Erik Olsen, vice president and executive property specialist at Chubb Risk Engineering Services.
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While the prospect of weathering natural disasters in 2021 seems more complex and potentially daunting than ever, risk management, emergency preparation and disaster response have made tremendous strides since the beginning of 2020. Reassessing business continuity planning a year into the COVID-19 pandemic also presents an opportunity to assess lessons learned and strengths gained. Ultimately, these may prove some of the most long-term advances for risk professionals in recent years.
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