Emergency Action Plans - Do they work?

EAP's are often a checklist for compliance. The singular questioned posed by many employers - Do we have one? And way too often, it is simply answered with a "YES" (Then you check the box).

The real question should be answered by a thorough and systematic method that evaluates the effectiveness of the plan (including policies & procedures) - the deployment of the systems - and the training/knowledge of the employees.