September Is National Preparedness Month. Do You Have A Plan?

9/1/2017 (Permalink)

How quickly your company can get back to business after a tornado, fire, or flood often depends on the emergency planning done today.  The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency.   The following are basic measures business owners and managers can take to begin preparing.  

Develop a Business Continuity Plan        Your organization's risk needs will vary depending on the specific industry, size, scope and location.  Begin by reviewing your business process flow chart, if one exists, to identify operations critical to survival and recovery.  Carefully assess your internal and external functions to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating. You should also establish procedures for succession of management. Review Insurance Coverage       Inadequate insurance coverage can lead to major financial loss if your business is damaged, destroyed or simply interrupted for a period of time. Insurance policies vary; check with your agent or provider about things such as physical losses, flood coverage and business interruption.  Understand what your policy does and does not cover. Prepare Your Emergency PlanYour employees and co-workers are your business' most valuable asset.  Communication is central before, during and after a disaster. Include emergency information in newsletters, on your company intranet, in periodic employee emails and/or other communication tools. Practice the Emergency PlanSome disasters will require employees to leave the workplace quickly.  The ability to evacuate workers, customers and visitors effectively can save lives.  If your business operates out of more than one location, establish evacuation procedures for each individual building.  If your company is in a high-rise building, an industrial park, or even a small strip mall, it is important to coordinate and practice with other tenants or businesses to avoid confusion and potential gridlock. Secure Your Facility and Equipment??       Install fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and detectors in appropriate places.  Secure all entry and exit points and plan for mail safety.  Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not usable.  Secure valuable equipment. Improve Cyber SecurityProtecting your data and information systems may require specialized expertise, but even the smallest business can be better prepared.  Use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.  Don't open emails from unknown sources.  Use hard-to-guess passwords. Protect your computer from intruders by using firewalls.  Back up your computer data and download security protection updates known a patches regularly. Emergency Ready Program (ERP)In the event of an emergency, the SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility.  The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including: emergency contact info., shut-off valve locations and priority areas.  Knowing what to do and who to call in advance is key to quick response and timely mitigation.   While each situation is unique, your organization can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies.  A commitment to begin planning today will help support your employees, customers, the community, local economy, and even the country.  It also protects your business investment and gives your company a better chance for survival.