STRATEGY

Staying in business after a disaster hits

By Orange County Register | December 31, 2006

ReadyOC, an organization that helps prepare businesses in Orange County, Calif., for emergencies, suggests a plan to survive a natural or manmade disaster -- and their tips are applicable to business owners everywhere.

Here are ReadyOC's three recommended steps to take before disaster strikes:

Plan to stay in business: A business must develop a business continuity plan for staying in business after an emergency.

Assess the risks for your specific business. Do an engineering study of your building and its weaknesses and strengths.

Identify operations critical to the survival of the business and its recovery.

Identify internal and external functions to determine which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary.

Develop a succession plan in case management is not around.

Plan how to do work if your building, plant, or store is not accessible. Stock emergency supplies.

Create a communication plan for employees, such as designating an out-of-area telephone number where employees can leave an "I'm OK" message after a disaster.

Keep copies of important records at an off-site location. Understand and plan for having to evacuate your business or shelter yourself and workers at the facility.

Talk to your people: Communicate to employees what the plan is and give them emergency phone numbers and other information.

Encourage employees to prepare their families and homes in case of emergency, including emergency supply kits.

Write a crisis communication plan. How will your business communicate with employees, local authorities, customers, and other interested people after a disaster?

Support employee health after a disaster. Getting back to work is important to the personal recovery of people who have experienced disasters

Protect your assets: Review insurance coverage to make sure it covers physical losses, flood or earthquake (usually separate coverage), and business interruption. Inadequate coverage could mean the business won't survive.

Prepare for extended utility disruptions.

Install equipment to help your business survive, such as fire extinguishers and smoke alarms.

Make sure exits are not blocked or padlocked.

Upgrade the building's filtration system to protect against biological and other airborne threats.

Improve cybersecurity to protect company data and information technology systems. Subscribe to the Department of Homeland Security National Cyber Alert System at us-cert.gov to receive free, timely alerts.

For more information about disaster preparedness for businesses or individuals, go online to readyOC.org.

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