Preparing for disasters is vital for all businesses, no matter the size. Without proper preparation, companies risk severe financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions that could jeopardize their survival. Effective disaster preparedness helps organizations identify potential risks, implement mitigation strategies, and establish recovery plans, ultimately safeguarding their assets, employees, and customer relationships. By investing in disaster preparedness, businesses can enhance your resilience.
Establish a Business Continuity Plan
It is critical to have a plan in place outlining business operations if there is an interruption. A Business Continuity Plan should highlight how you will adapt goods and services and should include solutions for the most likely interruptions (fire, power outage, flooding, etc.)
Update Contact Information
Does staff know who to contact if there is an emergency? Is the contact information up to date? Do a yearly check to make sure contact information is up to date for employees, vendors, city and emergency contacts.
Maintain a Grab List
If something happens to your facility and your organization needs to evacuate, prepare a grab list with all the essential documents and equipment. Many organizations have a ‘Go-Kit’ that is already put together to grab and go. Documents can include deeds, lease agreements, bank information, Business Continuation Plan, contact list and insurances.
Verify Insurances and Coverages
Verify coverages and insurances to make sure you have adequate coverage for disasters, emergencies and interruptions. This can include building insurance, inventory insurance, unemployment, and others.
Install Facility Backup Power
Power may fail in emergency situations and can significantly impact business operations. Where able, install backup power and have a power backup plan (such as perishables/freezer plan).
Verify coverages and insurances to make sure you have adequate coverage for disasters, emergencies and interruptions. This can include building insurance, inventory insurance, unemployment, and others.
