How often should emergency protocols be reviewed and revised?

Emergency protocols should be reviewed and revised annually or after significant incidents to ensure that they remain effective and relevant. Regular review is essential because it provides opportunities to incorporate lessons learned from previous incidents, adjust to any changes in resources or regulations, and ensure that staff are up-to-date with current procedures.

Annual reviews help organizations stay proactive rather than reactive, allowing them to identify potential gaps in their emergency response plans ahead of time. When significant incidents occur, they often highlight weaknesses in existing protocols or reveal new challenges that must be addressed. This can lead to immediate revisions that enhance the organization's preparedness and response capabilities.

The other choices do not adequately cover the necessity for regular updates. For example, reviewing protocols every five years may lead to outdated procedures that could compromise safety in a rapidly changing environment. Revising only with major staff changes ignores the ongoing nature of training and improvements needed every year, while a once-a-year review might overlook the critical updates required after a significant incident. Hence, the approach of annual reviews or adjustments post-incident ensures that emergency protocols are always current and effective.