Plan to Stay in Business
Business continuity planning must account for all hazards (both man-made and natural disasters). Plan in advance to manage any emergency situation. Assess the situation, use common sense and available resources to take care of yourself, your co-workers and your business's recovery. Carefully evaluate internal and external operations to determine which staff members, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
- Be Informed
- Know what kinds of emergencies might affect your company.
- Continuity Planning
- Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally.
- Emergency Planning
- Your employees and co-workers are your business's most important and valuable asset.
- Emergency Supplies
- Think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.
- Deciding to Stay or Go
- Shelter-in-place or evacuate, plan for both possibilities.
- Fire Safety
- Fire is the most common of all business disasters.
- Medical Emergencies
- Take steps that give you the upper hand in responding to medical emergencies.
- Influenza Pandemic
- The federal government, states, communities and industry are taking steps to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic.
Talk to Your People
A solid business emergency plan only works if everyone on your team is aware of the plan and the actions they need to take.
- Involve Co-Workers
- Include people from all levels in emergency planning.
- Practice the Plan
- Drills and exercises will help you prepare.
- Promote Preparedness
- Encourage your employees and their families to: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed.
- Crisis Communication Plan
- Detail how you will be in contact with employees, customers and others during and after a disaster.
- Employee Health
- People who have experienced a disaster may have special recovery needs.
Protect Your Investment
As well as planning for an emergency, you can also take steps to protect your company and secure your physical assets.
- Insurance Coverage
- Policies vary, meet with your provider to review current coverage.
- Utility Disruptions
- Prepare for extended outages during and after a disaster.
- Facilities, Buildings & Plants
- Take steps to secure physical assets.
- Equipment
- Conduct a room-by-room walk-through to determine what needs to be secured.
- Building Air Protection
- Assess the HVAC system to improve indoor air quality.
- Cyber Security
- Protect your data and information technology systems.
