Business All-Hazard Preparedness Plan

Determine the hazards and risks for your area and business.

Establish a team to develop the business all- hazards preparedness/continuity plan.

• Document all processes that make your business run -- from answering the phones, to tracking finances, to distributing your product or service.
• Determine what processes and equipment are critical to keeping your business open.
• Obtain building and site maps.

Plan for continuity.

• Store extra supplies offsite.
• Make a plan for a temporary location if your company if forced to relocate.
• Have a plan for alternate communication with customers, suppliers during recovery.
• Determine leadership roles and responsibilities.
• Develop plan to maintain payroll.

Maintain an inventory of all equipment used by your business.

• Keep a maintenance schedule for all equipment, as well as manufacturer and service contact information.

Develop a backup schedule for computer files.

• Keep a backup of all tax, accounting, payroll and production records, customer and supplier data off-site.
• Keep copies of all paper and computer files in an accessible but off-site location.

Contact your insurance agent.

• Review your insurance coverage.
• Get additional coverage for “all-hazard” situations (e.g., flood, hail damage).
• Keep copies of critical documents, such as finance records, receipts of major purchases.

Prepare your employees.

• Inform your employees of the business emergency plan; review it with them regularly.
• Ensure employees know the exit locations for the building
• Identify an internal shelter in the event that authorities tell you to “shelter-in-place.”
• Document each employee’s function and emergency contact information.

Develop a post-disaster communication strategy.

• Create a phone tree and designate individuals who will initiate the communication process.
• Designate a contact person to communicate with customers and vendors.

Make plans regarding customers.

• Determine the likelihood of customers being present at your business during a disaster situation.
• Have an emergency plan for customers; review it with employees regularly.
• Label exit locations for the building.

Make plans for suppliers.

• Maintain a contact list of all your suppliers.
• Find out how they plan to supply you in the event of a disaster situation.
• Maintain a list of alternate suppliers.

Review your emergency preparedness plan annually.

Coordinate with other businesses in your building or location.