Cross training prepping skills to better prepare the family or group
I worked in truck transport at one point in my life, staffing, training and managing the office of two trucking companies, in addition to my other duties of load audits.
Before I assumed that position, the staff wasn’t cross trained. Only one person could do one job.
If someone was away ill, then that position ground to a halt. This wasn’t a good thing for the fast paced environment of truck transport.
I had worked my way through various positions, creating a couple of my own positions along the way and finally was asked to step into this management roll, so I understood the demands of various jobs and the skills required.
I also knew that with good cross training and training manuals that it would be possible to have that office running smoothly, no matter who was away.
The staff loved the idea of cross training. It gave them a chance to learn new skills and relieve some of the job fatigue that can come with doing the same tasks every day.
It also was good for morale, because the staff grew closer as a team, because they could empathize with the challenges of each other’s duties.
The team work took on a life of it’s own when people, who had time, would call out “anyone need a hand?”
Often in families or groups of people that prep together, people assume roles. I do this and you do that. I take care of this and you manage that.
Sometimes that happens because people don’t always like to do certain things and are more than happy to have someone else take responsibility for it.
But, what happens if, during a crisis or disaster, one of the family or group becomes injured, ill or even dies? What if they are unable to cope with their responsibilities due to stress?
That is why training manuals with clear concise instructions are important. The manuals should be printed on paper and organized with drive back up if it is wanted. A binder, however, is not electricity dependent.
Every family member should be hands on cross trained to perform critical functions, even children can be trained on a common sense and age appropriate basis. You would be surprised what children can do if properly taught. I drove a tractor at 6 years old.
The training binder acts as a back up guide if someone needs to step into a role and forgets or balks because they are unsure of something.
You will know that your instructions are clear by how well the person can follow them on their own. Break the task down into steps and order them. Keep the instructions consistent in language and terms used and in presentation or arrangement of how information is presented on paper.
Technical communication is not easy to do well. It was one of the toughest writing courses I ever took because it is far more than about the writing. However, you can look up info on how to do it well and get your family cross trained.
If everyone is cross trained, as in physical cross training, you and your family become more fit and strong as preppers.
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