Fire, floods, earthquakes, disasters… Unfortunately, these are all extraordinary situations that we may face both individually and institutionally. When we think about them, they seem like headlines in newspapers or stories buried in the inside pages. We feel sad when we hear about them or read them somewhere. We shake our heads and say, "Oh no, they didn’t do this, that, or even those things again! How could this happen?" We criticize and pass judgment. But how much do we truly care about the precautions we should take? Do we ever imagine that these extraordinary situations could happen to us, too?
Simply offering well wishes and prayers without taking the necessary precautions or assessing potential risks in advance is, unfortunately, not enough. We must identify all these risks properly—not just for ourselves, our families, and those close to us, but also for the organizations we work for and the corporate responsibilities we take on. Implementing improvements based on these risks, taking precautions, informing and educating everyone involved (whether they have a direct responsibility or not), and conducting necessary inspections are of utmost importance. In life, there are some things we may only have to do a few times—perhaps once a year, or maybe just once in our entire lifetime. However, we must know exactly how to do them correctly and be able to act when the time comes.
Measure Twice, Cut Once!
A good design is crucial for effectively addressing all extraordinary situations. This design could be for your home or your workplace. Ensuring that buildings are designed in compliance with relevant regulations, national and international standards before the construction phase is of great importance. You may not be directly involved in the design of a particular building, but one of the fundamental steps you should take is to inquire and verify whether the places you live in adhere to established rules. It is essential to perform these verifications for any house or workplace you are considering purchasing or renting. You can check for relevant permits, fire department reports, and any occupational health and safety risk assessments conducted.
Beyond our personal living spaces, the design quality of places we frequently visit—such as shopping malls, schools, hospitals, hotels, and government buildings—plays a vital role in ensuring our safety and that of our loved ones. Whenever possible, it is wise to ask the responsible authorities about safety measures and request to see the necessary certifications and documentation. In many such spaces, verifying specific design parameters individually may not be feasible. However, certain safety features, such as the presence of emergency exits, the placement of exit signs, fire extinguishing equipment, smoke detectors, and alarm systems, are aspects that anyone can easily observe.
The expertise, experience, and continuous learning of auditors are essential. Auditors should work like honeybees—diligent and industrious.
If you hold an authoritative role or actively participate in the design of newly constructed facilities, remember that your level of responsibility is even greater. Not everyone needs to be an expert in all extraordinary scenario planning. There are, of course, professionals in these fields. Valuing expert opinions and consulting with specialists is a fundamental characteristic of highly reliable organizations. The worst approach is to assume, "This won't happen to us; let's not worry about it." Experts in fire safety, earthquakes, floods, natural disasters, and occupational health and safety are well-versed in legal requirements, national and international standards, and real-life incidents. Their knowledge and experience are crucial in mitigating risks.
A good design should incorporate both structural and non-structural precautions. Structural elements pertain to the building’s design and construction, including the architectural plan, static calculations, and materials such as concrete specifications—everything that affects the load-bearing system of a structure. On the other hand, non-structural elements include anything that is not part of the main structural system but could fall, break, or explode, such as furniture, suspended ceilings, and lighting systems. Non-structural elements are just as important as structural ones when it comes to safety. A prime example is an emergency exit blocked by a fallen cabinet during a crisis. Such considerations highlight the necessity of comprehensive design planning that accounts for both types of elements to ensure overall safety.
Don’t Lose What You Have While Chasing More!
Hazards refer to situations that can cause harm to individuals or organizations. For instance, frying food in our kitchen is a hazard. Risk, on the other hand, represents the likelihood of that hazard causing harm. If hot oil catches fire while frying, it poses a risk. As discussed in the previous section, identifying hazards and risks correctly is crucial not only for personal living spaces but also for public spaces and workplaces. However, merely identifying them is not enough. It is necessary to determine in advance what measures should be taken to minimize risks and how to respond if they materialize. So, how can we prevent a fire while frying food? Choosing alternative cooking methods instead of frying in oil could eliminate the problem altogether. If frying is still preferred, it is essential to know how to handle a fire and be prepared to act.
On that note, never use water to extinguish an oil fire! If you have a fire blanket, use it; otherwise, cover the fire with a tray, lid, or a thick cloth large enough to cut off the fire’s oxygen supply.
It may not be realistic to expect a professional risk assessment report for personal living spaces. However, discussing potential risks within the family—such as identifying hazards at home, what to do in case of a fire, where to take shelter during an earthquake, or how to reunite if separated—holds great importance. If all family members, including children, are aware of potential risks in advance, they will be better prepared to act calmly should an incident occur, rather than assuming, “It won’t happen to us.”
A well-designed building does not mean it is completely free of risks. Over time, buildings age structurally, and maintenance, renovations, or modifications may become necessary due to evolving needs. It is common for renovations and construction to take place within a facility to accommodate new departments or production lines. Additionally, changes in neighboring facilities may also impact you. For instance, the construction of a gas station or an industrial facility next to your building will naturally affect your risk assessment. All these factors necessitate a reassessment of risks that were initially evaluated during the design phase. A facility’s location is a key factor in determining hazards and risks. Being in an earthquake-prone area, a tsunami-risk zone near an ocean or sea, a forested area susceptible to wildfires, a remote or hard-to-reach location like a mountain or island, or within an industrial zone—all of these scenarios introduce different risk factors. Over time, changes and developments in and around a facility can increase or decrease these risks, making it essential to update risk assessments regularly.
For organizations, in addition to general risk evaluations, it is highly beneficial to conduct specialized risk assessments for critical areas that could halt operations or have severe consequences. In a hospital, for example, operating rooms, radiology units, and intensive care units require specific attention in terms of fire and emergency risks. Likewise, for all types of facilities, areas housing emergency generators, electrical rooms, and fire pumps are critical, as any malfunction in these areas could disrupt the entire operation.
Performing risk assessments alone is not sufficient. The identified risks must be addressed with corrective actions and implemented effectively. To achieve this, both at home and in organizations, safety must be embraced as a fundamental value and embedded into the culture. All family members at home, and employees at every level in the workplace—from top management to entry-level staff—must recognize that safety is not a game, a waste of time, or an unnecessary expense. Instead, they should understand that it is an essential requirement for a safe and secure life.
A Well-Tended Garden Thrives, but Neglect Turns It into a Wilderness
As our ancestors wisely said, "A well-tended garden thrives, but neglect turns it into a wilderness." A facility requires regular maintenance and timely upgrades—not only for its operational systems but also for its safety and security infrastructure. Otherwise, an aging and deteriorating facility, machinery, and equipment may fail to function when needed or may not perform their tasks effectively.
This principle applies not only to our professional lives but also to our personal lives. If you don't occasionally oil your door hinges, clean the grease and dirt off your stovetop, or fix a wobbly chair leg, you can easily predict the consequences. Such negligence can lead to harm for you, your loved ones, and your belongings. Do not let financial concerns or procrastination stand in the way of performing these necessary maintenance and upgrades. Otherwise, as mentioned at the beginning, you may find yourself in the kind of unfortunate situations that make newspaper headlines. One day, you may not be able to open your door, a fire could break out while cooking, or your chair might break just as you sit down for a meal.
One of the most significant benefits of drills is building confidence in those who will need to take action in an emergency. Regardless of the type of crisis, individuals who have practiced will feel more prepared and capable of responding effectively.
Maintenance and upgrades are also critical for organizations. Ensuring that operational equipment undergoes regular upkeep is essential for delivering quality production and services. Some upgrades contribute to sustainability and can even enhance efficiency. However, security and safety systems are often overlooked when it comes to maintenance and renewal. When you first set up a facility, you may have invested in the best generators, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. However, over time, even these essential systems require maintenance. Malfunctioning generators that fail to activate in emergencies, smoke detectors that cannot function due to power failures, and empty fire extinguishers are frequently discovered only after unfortunate incidents occur. To prevent such issues, security and safety systems must be subjected to planned and preventive maintenance at regular intervals.
Another crucial risk that should not be overlooked regarding safety and security systems is facility renovations and modifications. Every renovation introduces deviations from the original design and plans. In many cases, new areas created after renovations are not properly evaluated for fire safety—smoke detectors are not added, emergency exits are not reassessed, and fire hoses and extinguishers may be insufficient for the expanded space. The aesthetic appeal of newly designed, modern spaces often overshadows these critical safety considerations. Moreover, automatic fire suppression systems may be overlooked or not redesigned to cover new areas due to additional costs. Additionally, safety and security systems that protect us in emergencies can become outdated over time, failing to keep pace with technological advancements. A careful cost-benefit analysis is necessary to evaluate the need for investment in these areas. To avoid facing such risks, essential maintenance and upgrades must be planned in advance, sufficient budgets should be allocated, and renovations should be approached with careful foresight before implementation.
Knowledge and Skill Go Hand in Hand
You may have designed the best system, spent the most money, and implemented cutting-edge technology in your home or facility. But do you, your family, employees, or colleagues know how to use them? As the saying goes, "Knowledge belongs to those who seek it, and a sword is only useful to those who know how to wield it." If we don’t know how to use these high-tech systems, they serve no real purpose. More importantly, how can we effectively use life-saving equipment during an emergency, when panic sets in? In a fire that spreads within seconds, fumbling to locate a fire extinguisher, figuring out how to operate it through trial and error, remembering to break the safety seal, and positioning the extinguisher correctly—these steps leave no room for hesitation. If you haven’t previously learned these skills from an expert and practiced them, you are leaving your safety to pure chance. At that moment, all you might be able to do is pray.
Taking such a risk is clearly not a wise choice. Instead, we should equip ourselves with the knowledge of how to use safety equipment, what to do in an emergency, where to take shelter during an earthquake, and what precautions to take in case of a flood. This applies not only to our personal lives but also to our workplaces. Likewise, knowing how to respond in public spaces—such as shopping malls, schools, hotels, and hospitals—is crucial. This is why, at international training sessions and conferences, the first topic discussed before any meeting begins is the location of emergency exits. Similarly, every flight begins with a safety demonstration by flight attendants or a safety video explaining emergency procedures.
Another crucial risk that should not be overlooked regarding safety and security systems is facility renovations and modifications. Every renovation introduces deviations from the original design and plans.
Classroom training and watching instructional videos are necessary but not sufficient. The key is to put knowledge into practice. This is how individuals truly develop skills. Drills, hands-on practice, and repetition play a crucial role in developing muscle memory. Just like learning to play a musical instrument, repeated practice helps refine skills. Regular emergency drills offer another advantage: they allow for immediate feedback and the identification of weaknesses in processes. If an emergency plan exists only on paper and has never been tested, there is no way to know if it will work in a real situation. Feedback from drills helps refine plans and address potential problems on the ground. One of the most significant benefits of drills is building confidence in those who will need to take action in an emergency. Regardless of the type of crisis, individuals who have practiced will feel more prepared and capable of responding effectively.
The most valuable training and drills we can conduct at home with our families and loved ones involve open discussions about emergency preparedness. Questions such as: What should we do in case of a fire? Do we have a fire extinguisher? Where is it kept? Which emergency number should we call? Where should we take cover during an earthquake? How will we reunite with family members after a major disaster? These conversations serve as an essential form of education and practice, ensuring that everyone knows how to respond in a crisis.
No Effort, No Reward
Creating a solid design, conducting regular maintenance and upgrades, providing necessary training for emergencies, and ensuring skills are reinforced through drills are undamental steps in preparing for emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, floods, or tsunamis. However, by definition, these extraordinary events do not occur in our daily lives. In fact, we may never experience one in our lifetime. On the other hand, even the slightest negligence or complacency can lead to these situations unfolding before us. If we are not adequately prepared, we may find ourselves caught off guard. One of the most crucial tools for embedding a continuous culture of safety and awareness is inspection and auditing.
Both internal audits conducted by organizations using their own resources and external audits performed by government agencies, professional accreditation bodies, or experts provide valuable opportunities to assess how well institutions adhere to essential safety measures. Rather than viewing audits as a crisis or a punitive process they should be seen as a learning, improvement, and development opportunity.
This requires a shift in mindset for both auditors and those being audited. Auditors should not approach inspections as a way to find faults and impose penalties but rather as a means to help organizations identify risks and areas for improvement.
Likewise, organizations should not see audits as a pass-or-fail test. Viewing inspections this way often leads to a “pretend compliance” approach, where people act as if they are following the rules while hiding deficiencies. While this may allow an organization to pass an audit, when a real emergency occurs, that audit report or certification will be of no help.
The expertise, experience, and continuous learning of auditors are essential. Auditors should work like honeybees—diligent and industrious. Another crucial role of auditors is to cross-pollinate best practices, transferring valuable insights, good ideas, and lessons about critical risks from one organization to another, all while respecting confidentiality and privacy.
One Hand Can Do Nothing, But Two Hands Make a Sound
Regardless of the topic, the most important factor behind success is the ability to achieve it together. For this, the three fundamental concepts are cooperation, coordination, and communication. During emergencies and disasters, it is crucial to act together and in harmony. Otherwise, facing negative outcomes will be inevitable.
During the preparation phase, teams that plan for extraordinary situations must collaborate, focus on the same goal, and establish good communication to achieve success. Failing to collaborate, hiding one's expertise, or trying to do everything alone will delay the completion of tasks and preparations. It will also prevent critical tasks from being carried out. If we are not focused on the same goal, our actions will lead nowhere, and we will fail to complete necessary preparations.
Coordination during a disaster is critical. While the goal is to ensure no one is harmed, poor coordination can increase casualties and property damage.
Communication during a disaster and clarity in what needs to be done is essential. If the people responsible do not speak the same language or cannot understand each other, it will lead to entirely new mistakes and further losses. In short, working together in harmony is essential to minimize the damage from disasters.
As a result, we must never ignore the "what if" scenario. Fires, floods, earthquakes, and other extraordinary situations can happen to us both as individuals and as organizations. The solution must be created at the individual, organizational, and national levels. This way, if events we never wish to experience happen to us, we can hopefully get through them with minimal or no harm.
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