What Is an Emergency Action Plan — And Why Does Your Organization Need One?

Every Sunday, my family goes to church. Over time, as it naturally falls to certain people to handle the safety and security aspects of a congregation, I've become one of those people,. What I can tell you from experience is that unusual situations are not unusual at all. From security threats to ambulance rides, we are dealing with a real incident on average once a quarter. Most organizations have the individual who is best equipped to handle it take care of the situation. The problem comes the moment the procedure isn't written down and no one else knows how to handle it, or the person taking care of it gets in legal trouble.

That's what an Emergency Action Plan is for. According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.38, an EAP is a written document that outlines what needs to happen before, during, and after an emergency. With a background in Emergency Management and experience in safety and emergency action planning across churches, businesses, schools, and local government here in the Ozarks, I can tell you: this document is one of the most important things your organization can have — and one of the most commonly ignored.

Let's break down what an EAP actually is, what it needs to include, and why a generic template won't protect your people. If you're ready to get one built for your organization, schedule your free on-site assessment here →

Every effective EAP — regardless of organization size or type — must include two things;

The first is a notification plan. When an emergency occurs, who gets alerted, how, and in what order? The answers depend on the type of emergency, your organization's structure, and the communication tools available to you. A medical emergency during a Sunday service is handled very differently from a fire in a school hallway — even if both require immediate action. Your notification plan needs to be built around your specific organization, not a generalized example.

The second is an accountability plan. Once people are evacuating or sheltering, how do you confirm that every single person is safe and accounted for? This is not a universal process. It requires deliberate planning that accounts for your location, your population, and the nature of the emergency itself. For more on building these two elements, see our EAP Services page →

Some emergencies are universal. Fires happen everywhere. Medical emergencies happen everywhere. Your plan must address these as a baseline.

But many emergencies are highly localized. Tornadoes are a reality in Missouri and across the Midwest. Hurricanes demand different preparation depending on your distance from the coast. Earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, and even wildlife threats each carry their own set of variables. For each hazard relevant to your location and operations, your EAP should outline — in clear, step-by-step format — exactly what happens from the moment the emergency begins to the moment your organization is fully operational again. A good EAP doesn't tell a story. It gives you a checklist — a sequence of actions that removes guesswork and keeps people moving in the right direction, even under pressure.

Emergency action plans are deeply individualized documents. What works for a congregation of 50 in rural Missouri looks nothing like what works for a school district of 4,000 students. The basics — evacuate during a fire, render aid to those who need help — are universal. Everything else is specific to your organization, your people, your location, and your resources.

Don't copy and paste a plan from the internet for documentation's sake. We see it happen more than you'd think, and it creates a dangerous illusion of preparedness. Take the time to evaluate what your organization actually needs. Walk your facility. Talk to your people. Build something that reflects the reality of your environment.

When everyone knows the plan, knows their role, and trusts the process, an emergency becomes something you can respond to — not something that responds to you.

Interested in getting a professional EAP developed for your organization? Learn about our process →

EAP Quick-Reference Checklist

(For those skimming — here's what you need to know at a glance)

☐ Written document that covers before, during, and after an emergency

☐ Notification plan specific to your organization and emergency types

☐ Accountability plan to confirm every person is safe

☐ Step-by-step procedures (not general guidance — specific steps)

☐ Coverage for both universal emergencies (fire, medical) and local hazards (tornado, flood)

☐ Built for your specific facility, population, and resources — not copied from a template

☐ Reviewed and updated regularly, not filed away and forgotten

☐ Known and practiced by your team, not just written down

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does OSHA require an Emergency Action Plan?
Yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires employers with more than 10 employees to have a written EAP. Organizations with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally, but a written plan is always best practice regardless of size.

What is the difference between an EAP and an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)?
An EAP is typically an organization-level document focused on protecting the people within a specific facility or operation. An EOP is broader, often used by government agencies and school districts, and addresses community-wide or multi-site response coordination. Both require the same intentionality in development.

How long does it take to create an Emergency Action Plan?
It depends on the complexity of your organization. A small church or business may take a few hours of consultation and a few days of document development. A multi-building school campus or government facility may take several weeks. Formation Industries typically begins with a free on-site assessment to scope the work before committing to a timeline.

Can I use a free EAP template I found online?
You can start there for orientation, but a template should never be your final document. Templates are built for a generic organization — not yours. The notification protocols, accountability systems, and hazard-specific procedures all need to reflect the reality of your specific facility and people. A template that hasn't been adapted is not a plan; it's a liability.

What types of organizations need an EAP?
Every organization that has people on-site needs one — churches, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and local/county government offices. If people gather in your facility, you are responsible for what happens to them in an emergency. Formation Industries serves all four of these markets across the Ozarks region. →