Business Preparedness

Did you know that at least one-fourth of businesses that close because of
disaster never reopen? Small businesses are especially at risk because so
few have the resources or knowledge to assess their risks and develop
recovery plans. Dorchester County and its Emergency Management staff
recognize how essential small business survival is to our community's
recovery from a disaster. That's why we offer this information for
business owners to reduce losses when disaster strikes and to reopen
quickly when they are forced to close.

How quickly your company gets back to business after a hurricane,
earthquake, fire or flood depends on the emergency planning you do NOW.
Start planning now to improve chances that your company will survive and
recover.

Emergencies are unplanned events that can cause significant injury, or
even death, to employees, customers or the public. They can disrupt or
close down operations, cause physical or environmental damage and even
harm your organization's public image. Recent emergencies have
increased awareness among business owners and managers for the
need to have an All-Hazards Business Recovery Plan.

Businesses need to be aware of measurers they can take to insure the
safety of their facilities and employees. Your primary objective should be to
provide assistance to your employees so they can put their lives back in
order and return to work as quickly and productively as possible.
However, this will likely NOT happen unless you develop a plan for a quick
recovery after a hurricane.

Preparing just makes good business sense so get ready now!

If you are genuinely interested in business emergency planning you can
contact the Dorchester County Emergency Services Dept. for assistance.
We can't write your plan for you but we can assist by educating your
staff, reviewing your plan and offering practical guidance.

QUICK TIPS-Start Planning NOW!

  • Identify Potential Risks-Have you considered what kinds of emergencies could
    affect your business? Are you susceptible to flooding? Near a railroad or major
    highway (hazardous materials incident risk)?
  • Develop a Business Interruption Plan-Identify and implement measurers to
    minimize job loss and business closure. Know which employees are unavailable to
    work in times of crises because of other obligations, i.e., children (when schools
    close?), elderly parents, etc. Have a back-up business location. Keep up to date
    emergency contact information for employees. Has anything changed in your
    employee's personal life that could prevent them from meeting their commitments
    (child/elderly care, single parent status, illness)?
  • Develop a Staffing Policy that identifies essential employees and which of them,
    if any, must remain at your facility during a hurricane. Outline a chain of command
    and what each person's responsibilities will be pre and post storm. The policy
    should identify when employees will be released from work, as well as when they
    are expected to return. Employees living in designated evacuation areas should be
    released from work to protect their families and homes once an evacuation is
    ordered for their area, if not before. Businesses may predetermine that employees
    will return to work when county or local municipal employees are ordered to return,
    in case telephone service is out. Establish a rendezvous point outside the
    evacuation area and time for employees in case damage is severe and
    communications are disrupted.
  • Know your Assets-Make sure your inventory is up-to-date
  • Arrange for Alternate Vendors- Are Primary Vendors or suppliers also
    vulnerable to hurricanes, etc? Be prepared to use alternate vendors for
    supplies/equipment if necessary. Do you have backup equipment or know its
    availability? Have pre-arranged contracts for critical items (generators, etc.) and
    goods to avoid last-minute rushes?
  • Protect your Facility- Have a ready supply of tarps or plastic sheeting and
    plywood safely stored in or near your facility. Have you assessed your building and
    contents for Earthquake Non-Structural Hazards? More Information-SECURING HEAVY FURNISHINGS
  • Review your Insurance policies and know your liabilities and coverage.
    REMEMBER! Standard Insurance usually does NOT include coverage for flood and
    wind damage. Make changes as needed.
  • Review and Exercise your disaster recovery readiness and action plans.
    Conduct emergency drills.
  • Educate your Employees- Provide "Home and Family Preparedness Guides" to
    your employees. Download guides from this site or call the Dorchester County
    Emergency Services Department. We will also provide on-site Emergency
    Preparedness presentations for your staff.
  • Security Tip: Following a disaster your employees need photo ID to gain access to
    your business, especially if it is damaged. This is for your protection as Law
    Enforcement may restrict access to damaged buildings. Companies large and small
    should be prepared ahead of time with employee identification. If you do not issue
    photo ID's to your employees provide them with a statement on letterhead with their
    name, address and describe their employment or position and disaster
    responsibilities. This letter along with other photo ID (such as a Driver's License)
    should be sufficient.

Business Continuity Planning Resources

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers a variety of
excellent tools in its Open for Business SM series for small business
owners. These tools help reduce your potential for loss should disaster
strike and reopen quickly if forced to close.

IBHS' internet-based Open for Business SM Interactive Online Planner is
exclusively for IBHS member insurers' small business customers to help
them create and confidentially store property protection and recovery
plans. Using the tool small business owners follow a series of prompts to
develop customized property protection and recovery plans which are
stored for future reference and updating. Check with your insurance
company to see if they are a member of IBHS (many are) and ask for
access. Visit the Open for Business SM page for more information.

Also from IBHS

Download

Other Business Emergency Planning Resources

   
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