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'0:;~: ;,iJ' , '~ ~ " . \1!'" * - , -'~'b_'::f~2kd,2rf~iJZt, - "P"0 - -+i!~ Figure 23.-Flood. shields stored on outside wall. These large steel flood shields are mounted on the outside wall of the Pittsburgh Press Building adjacent to the openings they are designed to close. When flood occurs, these shields are placed over the open- ings and bolted into place. (Photo by Pittsburgh Press.) Maintaining a State of Readiness In addition to the development of an actual flood proofing program, a procedure must be developed to maintain a state of readiness. One technique to keep flood proofing meas- ures operational is periodic testing. In Pittsburgh, for example, the Horne Company's in- surance firm formerly required that once a year the flood shields which protect window, door, and other openings be put in place and sealed, just as they wculd be during the time of a flood (see Figure 14). This requirement has now been waived and instead the insur- ance company requires a thorough annual check of the state of readiness of each item in the program. A company flood manual is used to acquaint personnel with area flood prob- lems and to outline specifiC tasks to be performed should an emergency arise. Complacency can be the ruin of any flood proofing program. The longer the interval between floods, the greater the feeling that nit can't happen again." Long flood-free peri- ods tend to dull the awareness of the need for flood proofing. A check of management readiness is almost as important as the examination of the physical elements of the system. If management becomes complacent, this complacency will be reflected in the attitudes of employees and the system will develop serious gaps as time progresses. As new employees replace older ones, the flood problems move from the realm of personal experience to hearsay. This can be guarded against with employee education, assigned duties and perhaps even flood proofing drills. 33