Plan to Stay in Business

Both man-made and natural hazards pose a threat to large and small businesses. 

Continuity Planning

• Your organization's risk needs will vary according to the specific industry, size, scope, and location of your company.
• Review your business process flow chart to identify operations critical to survival and recovery.
• Assess your internal and external functions to determine which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating. 
• Include co-workers from all levels in planning and as active members of the emergency management team.
• Make a list of your most important customers and proactively plan ways to serve them during and after a disaster.
• Identify key suppliers, shippers, resources, and businesses you must interact with on a daily basis. 

Emergency Planning for Employees

• Your employees are your business' most valuable asset. Two-way communication is central before, during, and after a disaster.
• Include emergency information in newsletters, on your company's intranet, in periodic employee emails, and other communication tools.
• Plan to assist employees with special needs if they require additional support. 

Emergency Supplies

• Besides the storing everyday emergency supplies on site, businesses should keep copies of important records in a waterproof, fireproof portable container.
  • Site Maps
  • Building Plans
  • Insurance Policies
  • Employee Information
  • Bank Account Records
  • Supplier and Shipping Record Lists
  • Emergency Phone Numbers
• Store a second set of records at an off-site location. 

Planning to Stay or Go

• All disasters present unique situations so have a plan for:
  • Evacuation
  • Shelter-In-Place
  • Relocation 

Evacuation Plan

• Lives can be saved based on an organization's ability to evacuate employees, customers, and visitors.
• Establish evacuation procedures for each building.
• If your company is in an industrial park, or strip mall, it is important to coordinate and practice with other businesses to avoid confusion and potential gridlock. 

Shelter-in-Place Plan

• Understand the differences between sheltering-in-place for a tornado and chemical incident.  

Talk to Your People

Practice the Plan with Co-workers

• Conduct regularly scheduled education and training seminars to provide co-workers with information, identify needs, and develop preparedness skills.
• Include disaster training in new employee orientation programs. 

Promote Family and Individual Preparedness

• Ensure your employees and their families are personally prepared for emergencies.
• Proper personal preparedness will make your employees more resilient, and they will be able to come back to work sooner. 

Write a Crisis Communication Plan

• Detail how your organization plans to communicate with employees, local authorities, customers, and others before, during, and after a disaster. 

Support Employee Health After a Disaster

• Staff may need time to ensure the well-being of their family.
• Returning back to work is important to the personal recovery of those affected by disasters. 

Protect Your Investment

Review Insurance Coverage

• Insurance policies vary, so check with your agent about:
  • Physical Losses
  • Flood Coverage
  • Business Interruption
  • Earthquake Coverage
• Understand what your policy covers and what it does not. 

Prepare for Utility Disruptions

• Speak with service providers about potential alternatives.
• Identify backup options such as portable generators to power the vital operations of your business.

Secure Facilities, Buildings, and Plants

• Install fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in appropriate places. 
• Secure ingress and egress areas.
• Secure valuable equipment and merchandise.
• Continually maintain your building's heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

Improve Cyber Security

• Use updated anti-virus software.
• Do not open email/mail from unknown sources.
• Use lengthy passwords with unique characters. 
• Protect your computers with firewalls.
• Back up your digital data regularly.
• Subscribe to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Cyber Alert System to receive free, timely alerts. 

Additional Resource

Learn more about Business Readiness from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.