Emergency Preparedness

Angry self-represented litigants and criminals with vendettas aren't the only ones who might cause us harm.  Mother Nature and negligent people can hurt us, too.  Don't lose sight of less nefarious hazards in your zeal to prepare for gunfire.  A good resource to be prepared for such risks is www.PrepareMyBusiness.org, which will help you assess and plan for a wide variety of risks.  Although it is aimed primarily at small businesses, its risk assessment and disaster planning tools are applicable to any legal office, including government offices.  FEMA's site (www.ready.gov) also has lots of good resources.  Finally, the Red Cross offers several different classes that can help you prepare for emergencies, and can even offer training to organizations.  You can find training opportunities in your area here.