More than 60% of all businesses directly affected by major disaster never reopen. Proper planning and regular training reduce your exposure to risk and increase the likelihood that your business will survive. Business emergency preparation is a group process and, like any initiative, requires the support of senior management. Here are some basic steps to help you to protect your business in a disaster.

1. CREATE YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN



• Do Your Research
  Meet with groups such as government agencies, community organizations, and utility companies. Ask about potential emergencies and their plans and resources for responding to them.
  Identify the codes and regulations that apply to your business.
  Analyze resources and capabilities. Determine what you have and what you need. Look at your staff as a source of first aid, communication and other vital skills.



• Make Provisions for Your Employees
  Encourage employees to prepare their families. The more prepared they are at home, the more likely they will be able to help at work.
  Keep personnel rosters current. Be able to account for all employees, clients and visitors at all times.
  Plan for a way to communicate with employees about the status of your business following an evacuation or emergency event. Designate a special telephone number for employees to call for updates about the status of your business operations.
  Prepare for employee assistance, damage assessment, clean up and restoration.



• Plan for Evacuation
  Develop your evacuation plan, designate primary and secondary emergency assembly areas.
  Be sure you are able to communicate with all occupants of your building(s) for information and emergency announcements.
  Identify and eliminate non-structural hazards in your business. Be sure aisles and exit routes are clear and heavy furniture and equipment are secure.
  Determine how you will shut down equipment and secure any unlocked areas.



• Speed Up Your Recovery
  Develop several different recovery strategies. In the event that you are unable to remain in your current place of business, be sure that you can recover critical functions somewhere else, whether it's at a location you own or a location you rent form another vender.
  Keep copies of your most important business documents and records off site.
  Evaluate your records system and inventory. Decide what you must have available at an alternate site to continue operations.
  Protect your electronic information and physical inventory.
  Develop a plan to keep clients informed about delivery of goods and services in the event of a disaster. Be sure vendor and client lists are current.
  Develop your recover plan for building restoration and employee recovery.



2. PUT TOGTHER EMERGENCY KITS
   At a minimum this should include water, non-perishable food, manual can openers, flashlights, portable AM radios, spare batteries, first aid kits and manuals, whistles, dusk masks, sanitary supplies, blankets, tools, and heavy work gloves.
   Have enough supplies for at least one week.
   Keep the kits in a safe and accessible place.
   Encourage employees to make their own personal kits for work and home. A personal kit for work should include some water and food, a manual can opener, a flashlight, AM radio and extra batteries, basic medical kit and manual, essential personal medications to last at least one week, sturdy shoes, change of warm clothing, lightweight rain gear, spare cash, extra pair of glasses, plastic bags, dusk mask, personal, and sanitary items.
   Rotate supplies on a regular basis-every six months.



3. PRACTICE
   Be sure all employees know what to do in the event of an emergency. Conduct emergency drills at least twice a year and integrate emergency planning into company operations. Undertake continuous training for all staff in how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency event. Evaluate and modify plan as appropriate.



4. LEARN WHAT COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOUR BUSINESS
   Seek information about what resources are available to your business in the event of an emergency.
   Coordinate your planning with all of your office locations as well as other organizations.
   Think about how your business can become a resource in an emergency. Encourage co-workers to train in basic first aid, CPR, or as a disaster volunteer.