Is Your Organization Prepared to Evacuate? Ensure Your People’s Safety Before It's Too Late!

Are You Ready to Evacuate? Can You Get Your People Home Safe?

In today’s unpredictable world, whether your organization is ready to evacuate from foreign soil isn’t just hypothetical—it’s a critical concern. Whether it’s due to natural disasters, political instability, or civil unrest, having a well-thought-out, actionable evacuation plan can make the difference between safety and chaos.

But how prepared are you? Do you have a plan in place, and have you exercised it? If the answer isn’t clear or you’re uncertain how to proceed, it might be time to revisit your evacuation strategy. Below are some key reminders, developed from invaluable partnerships with U.S. Embassy personnel during the creation of an evacuation plan for my organization. Many thanks to these experts for their time and insights.

1. Make a Plan Before the Crisis—The Company is Responsible

One of the biggest mistakes organizations make is failing to prepare ahead of time. Far too often, companies either fail to create an evacuation plan altogether or write one that’s vague, unrealistic, or not actionable. This plan cannot simply sit on a shelf—it needs to be regularly updated and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

2. Your Plan Should Be Logical

A successful evacuation plan must be practical and make sense. It’s easy to fall into the trap of overcomplicating things, but the plan must be clear, logical, and designed for swift action. Consider every aspect—what will your people need, where will they go, how will they get there, and who will be responsible for what tasks?

3. Exercise Your Plan—This is a Must

Having a plan is one thing, but testing it through regular exercises is critical. Evacuation plans should be treated like emergency drills—frequent, realistic, and robust. Exercises allow you to identify gaps, clarify roles, and ensure that all personnel are familiar with their responsibilities.

4. Share the Plan—Everyone Should Know Their Role

Your evacuation plan is not a secret—everyone in your organization must know their role in the event of an evacuation. Ensure all employees are aware of the procedures, who to contact, where to go, and what to do. A clear, shared understanding ensures that your plan will be executed efficiently and effectively.

5. Don’t Forget the Families (American and Non-American)

Even if your company doesn’t sponsor employees’ families, it’s essential to have a plan for them too. This includes:

• A Personal Plan: Each family member, whether American or non-American, needs a personal evacuation plan.

• Important Property: Plan for the safe relocation of crucial family possessions.

• Pets: Don’t overlook pets—evacuations should include the whole family, and pets must be considered in your plans.

6. Accountability and Communications

When time is of the essence, communication is key:

• Warden Meetings: Schedule regular meetings with designated wardens, who are responsible for ensuring everyone is accounted for during the evacuation.

• Communication Methods: Have multiple communication methods in place. Relying on just one, like mobile phones, can be problematic when networks are overloaded. Use text, email, and phone calls, and always have a backup plan.

• Backup Communication: Consider using radios or satellite phones as alternatives to mobile networks, which may become unreliable. Be mindful of dead zones and the limited range of radios.

• Daisy-Chaining Communications: In some cases, you may need to establish a network of people to relay information—this is known as daisy-chaining.

7. Establish Wardens by Neighborhood

For larger evacuations, designate wardens for each neighborhood or area where employees are located. Wardens can help ensure that everyone in their designated zone is accounted for and assist with communications, especially when mobile networks fail.

8. Your Window for Evacuation May Be Limited

In a crisis, you may have a very narrow window to evacuate. This means it’s essential to have contingencies in place. Understand that evacuation routes and options may become restricted or blocked, so it’s critical to be ready to act quickly.

9. Expect Crime to Increase

As with any evacuation, expect an uptick in criminal activity, including violent crime. People under pressure may resort to desperate measures, and looting or violence may escalate. This can add another layer of danger that needs to be accounted for in your planning.

10. Expect Airports to Be Overwhelmed

Airports will likely be swamped with people trying to leave. Whether you’re flying commercial or chartered, it’s crucial to have a backup plan in case your first choice doesn’t work out. Be prepared for long delays, potential cancellations, and issues with departing flights.

11. What Happens if You Charter Non-American Airlines?

If you charter an aircraft with a non-American airline, be sure to clarify whether they will prioritize evacuating U.S. citizens. Many airlines have their policies about who they evacuate first, and they may prioritize citizens of their own country over foreign nationals.

12. Airport Operations May Be Disrupted

Keep in mind that airport staff may be unable to get to the airport, particularly in high-stress situations. This could further delay or disrupt evacuation operations, so have alternatives in place.

13. Have a Secondary Exit Strategy

If your first means of evacuation doesn’t work, where will you go next? Whether it’s another airport, an overland route, or a boat, make sure you have contingency options in place.

14. Expect Risky Driving Conditions

Driving in a crisis zone may pose significant risks. Violent crime, roadblocks and traffic jams can make driving dangerous. It’s better to have alternative evacuation routes and methods of transportation in mind.

15. Build Relationships with Host Nation Personnel

Developing strong relationships with local government and security personnel can make all the difference. You may need their assistance during an evacuation, so having their contact information and knowing how to work with them could be crucial to getting out safely.

16. Protect Sensitive Information

Before leaving, ensure that any classified or proprietary information is destroyed or securely transported. Leaving sensitive data behind can have disastrous consequences.

17. It’s Your Company’s Responsibility, Not the U.S. Embassy’s

While the U.S. Embassy may offer assistance and even arrange transportation in some cases, it is not their responsibility to evacuate your personnel. Your organization is ultimately responsible for ensuring the safe evacuation of its employees, so don’t rely solely on embassy resources.

Developing, exercising, and implementing an evacuation plan is no small task. It requires foresight, attention to detail, and coordination with various stakeholders. The time to act is before a crisis strikes, and it’s up to each organization to ensure they’re fully prepared to protect their personnel. Start today—dust off your evacuation plans or create them from scratch—and make sure you’re ready to respond quickly and effectively when the time comes.