An Emergency Hits: and You are at Work
March 20, 2025

An Emergency Hits: and You are at Work

On October 17, 2019, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area during the evening commute. Within minutes, BART trains stopped running, traffic signals failed across multiple counties, and thousands of workers faced a daunting question: "How do I get home now?" For many, a typical 30-minute commute became a very long day—not because of catastrophic damage, but due to the simple lack of a backup plan.

According to the 2023 National Household Survey conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),  only 34% of adults in the United States reported having learned their evacuation routes in the past year.Fema2023

A significant portion of Americans may not be adequately prepared for emergencies, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and planning.​

We've all imagined what we'd do if disaster struck while we were safe at home. The emergency kit in the closet, the family meetup plan, the designated meeting spot outside. These plans bring comfort and security, but what about the 40+ hours each week when we're at work?

Traditional emergency planning typically addresses only two separate scenarios.  The first is workplace emergencies that focus on building evacuation, shelter-in-place protocols, and immediate first aid. The second is home emergencies which center around building shelf stable food and other supplies, creating family communication plans, and securing your residence.

What's often missing is the critical connection between these two environments—the journey home during a crisis. This gap can leave you stranded, under-resourced, vulnerable, or making high-stress decisions without prior planning.

In this article we'll focus on how to create plans for different emergency scenarios, ensuring you can reunite with loved ones and reach your home base where your primary emergency supplies are.

 

Work-to-Home Emergency Plan Components

1. Know Multiple Routes

During emergencies, your normal commute route may be blocked. Map out at least three alternative routes home from your workplace, considering your mode of travel:

  • Roads less traveled that might avoid major congestion.
  • Routes that avoid potential hazards (bridges, flood zones, etc.)
  • Safe paths accessible by different transportation methods, including walking.
  • Strategic stopping points for rest, supply gathering, or overnight stays if needed.

Action Tip: Take time to physically travel each alternative route at least once. Familiarity reduces stress during emergencies and helps you anticipate potential challenges.

 

2. Transportation Alternatives

Your regular transportation method may be unavailable during an emergency. Consider these backup options:

  • Public Transport, Carpooling, bicycle options or the least favorite, walking.
  • Find out if there are special services in your area during disasters?

Practical Tip: Keep a pair of comfortable walking shoes at your desk or in your car. Even if you typically wear professional footwear, having sturdy shoes can make a significant difference in your ability to walk long distances.

 

3. Communication Strategy

During emergencies, communication networks often become overwhelmed or fail completely. Develop a communication strategy that includes:

  • Predetermined check-in times with family members
  • Meeting points along your commute route if digital communication fails.
  • Out-of-area contacts who can serve as information relays.
  • Alternative communication methods (text vs. call, emergency radio, etc.)

Practical Tip: Program your phone with ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts and consider keeping a small, printed list of essential phone numbers in your wallet or workspace.

 

Scenario-Specific Planning

It’s not always a disaster. Different emergencies require different approaches. Let's examine a few scenarios and appropriate transit strategies to get you thinking about other solutions:

 

Weather Emergencies

Sudden Severe Storms

  • When to shelter in place at work vs. when to leave immediately.
  • Weather monitoring resources for real-time updates.
  • Vehicle considerations: Is it safe to drive?

Flooding

  • Identifying high-ground routes.
  • Understanding watershed patterns in your commute area.
  • Flash flood safety while in transit.

 

Infrastructure Shutdowns

Power Outages

  • Navigation without traffic lights or street lights
  • ATM/payment system alternatives when electronic systems fail
  • Security considerations in unpowered areas.

Public Transportation

  • Walking distance calculations and planning.
  • Temporary accommodation options if distance is long.
  • Shared transportation coordination with colleagues.


Civil Emergencies

Evacuations

  • Understanding evacuation zone boundaries.
  • Contraflow lane operations and how they affect your route.
  • Meeting points for family reconnection during large-scale evacuations.

Civil Unrest

  • Identifying routes that avoid likely gathering areas.
  • Maintaining situational awareness while in transit.
  • When to delay your journey for safety.

 

Have a Workplace Emergency Go-Bag

While your comprehensive emergency supplies are likely at home, maintaining a small emergency go-bag at work can make the difference in your successful transit home.

  • Water bottle and compact water filter
  • Energy-dense, non-perishable snacks
  • Basic first aid supplies
  • Small flashlight and extra batteries
  • Portable phone charger
  • Cash in small denominations
  • Compact rain poncho or emergency blanket
  • Local paper maps with routes marked
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Personal medications for 24-48 hours
  • Small N95 mask for air quality issues
  • Seasonal weather gear

Practical Tip: Review and refresh your workplace go-bag quarterly, checking expiration dates and updating any seasonal supplies.

 

Practice Makes Prepared

Like any emergency plan, your work-to-home strategy requires regular review and practice: 

  • Drive the walking route you're likely to take and explore on foot anywhere you can’t drive with a car.
  • Identify and note any resources which might be helpful along the way.
  • Annual "commute drills" using alternative routes as things can change, (construction, housing, fences)Test family communication procedures during non-emergency times
  • Update your plan when changing jobs, residences, or after infrastructure changes
  • Share your plans with family members and relevant colleagues

 

While we hope you never face an emergency at work, the reality is that disasters rarely follow convenient schedules. By extending your emergency readiness to include a work-to-home journey, you add a significant level to your personal safety planning.

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