A BCM event at home...!

Anton Coetzee

As BCM professionals, we prepare for worst-case scenarios and what we may do in the event of an issue, event or incident that occurs at work – we have plans and procedures that we train and re-train and drill our people and we cope.

But, what if an event occurs at home? – and what if that home is a rental? Legally, they seem to be two different issues as I have come to understand it. Did we do due diligence and take precautions? – YES.

This Sunday, we had a storm with strong/high-speed winds and rain. At About 6:00 pm, the dogs jumped up and ran around which is somewhat unusual behaviour for them, however there was no barking or urgency from them. About fifteen minutes later, my son exclaims “come and see the tree - half of it has come down on some wires!” What? …Aaaaah…!

Fortunately, there no real damage to the property or the neighbours’ but the tree was lying partially on the communication cables which provides internet and phone services to the street. At the moment, we still have power and internet. But, what do I do?

As a renter, I cannot touch the tree as there are 3^rd parties involved. I’m also not qualified to deal with a fallen tree or potential additional issues, so several calls were made: to the homeowner, phone and internet companies. Highlights of the conversation with the homeowner:

Is anyone hurt - No,
Is the tree lying across the road or blocking the neighbours driveway - No
Is there a danger to nearby properties - No

The home owner’s response: They’ll deal with it the next day. A similar conversation was held with our phone provider’s emergency services department, with the following outcome: Let the homeowner deal with the situation as there is no immediate danger to the public or utilities. Conversation with the internet provider:

Is your Internet working – Yes
Any danger to yourselves or others – No

Outcome: They will deal with it the following day. Ugh!

As a BCM professional, what precautions were taken ahead of the storm:

I informed the homeowner several months prior about potential issues with the tree (it had a giant crack running up the centre of its trunk).
My family parked their vehicles a safe distance from the tree, especially during stormy weather.
We spoke with neighbours, or they spoke with us about their concerns which we passed on to the homeowner.

Weakness identified: I recently sold my emergency generator and power inverter in preparation for an upcoming move to a condo. Go figure! You found the flashlights – great. Anyone know where the camping gas stove is …?

Today, we wait not so patiently for professionals to safely cut down or remove the tree.
Hello, hello… anyone out there ??? It seems we lost comms!


A BCM event at home...! Anton Coetzee As BCM professionals, we prepare for worst-case scenarios and what we may do in the event of an issue, event or incident that occurs at work – we have plans and procedures that we train and re-train and drill our people and we cope. But, what if an event occurs at home? – and what if that home is a rental? Legally, they seem to be two different issues as I have come to understand it. Did we do due diligence and take precautions? – YES. This Sunday, we had a storm with strong/high-speed winds and rain. At About 6:00 pm, the dogs jumped up and ran around which is somewhat unusual behaviour for them, however there was no barking or urgency from them. About fifteen minutes later, my son exclaims “come and see the tree - half of it has come down on some wires!” What? …Aaaaah…! Fortunately, there no real damage to the property or the neighbours’ but the tree was lying partially on the communication cables which provides internet and phone services to the street. At the moment, we still have power and internet. But, what do I do? As a renter, I cannot touch the tree as there are 3^rd parties involved. I’m also not qualified to deal with a fallen tree or potential additional issues, so several calls were made: to the homeowner, phone and internet companies. Highlights of the conversation with the homeowner: Is anyone hurt - No, Is the tree lying across the road or blocking the neighbours driveway - No Is there a danger to nearby properties - No The home owner’s response: They’ll deal with it the next day. A similar conversation was held with our phone provider’s emergency services department, with the following outcome: Let the homeowner deal with the situation as there is no immediate danger to the public or utilities. Conversation with the internet provider: Is your Internet working – Yes Any danger to yourselves or others – No Outcome: They will deal with it the following day. Ugh! As a BCM professional, what precautions were taken ahead of the storm: I informed the homeowner several months prior about potential issues with the tree (it had a giant crack running up the centre of its trunk). My family parked their vehicles a safe distance from the tree, especially during stormy weather. We spoke with neighbours, or they spoke with us about their concerns which we passed on to the homeowner. Weakness identified: I recently sold my emergency generator and power inverter in preparation for an upcoming move to a condo. Go figure! You found the flashlights – great. Anyone know where the camping gas stove is …? Today, we wait not so patiently for professionals to safely cut down or remove the tree. Hello, hello… anyone out there ??? It seems we lost comms!
DRIE Toronto Digest - Vol 29 Issue 2 November 2020