 Brainstorm
- What
are your core services and how can you safeguard them?
- Identify
your most immediate threat(s). Fire is the most common business threat.
- Where
will my customers go if I can't provide service / goods?
- Are
there potential business opportunities following a disaster?
- Go
to Ready.gov.
- Coordinate
with other building tenants
- Join
Santa Monica Organizations Active in Disaster (www.smgov.net/smoaid)
Strengthen Human Resources
- Ensure
that employees are prepared with seven days of food, water and supplies
- Draft
phone list of key employees and customers. Provide copies to staff.
- Develop
an emergency contact list
- Leave
extra keys / alarm code with a trusted employee or friend.
- Give
staff specific responsibilities so they know what to do in case of
emergency
- Encourage
direct deposit to ensure employee compensation
- Train
employees in CPR / AED and First Aid.
Backup Data
- Make on-site and off-site copies of:
- Lease records
- Insurance policies
- Current credit report
- Payroll records
- Tax records, accounting records
- Production records, customer lists
- Complete vendor list
- Backup
and routinely update creditor and supplier contact information
- Backup
computer files.
- Consider
remote internet backup, RAID arrays, offsite optical or tape (LTO)
media.
- Ensure
backup facility is far enough away to avoid damage from a large
regional disaster, like an earthquake
- On-site
and off-site copies of all hard documents. Consider scanning /
digitizing hard records.
Secure Facilities
- Disaster
proof work spaces and essential equipment.
- Secure
or remove heavy or sharp items from top shelves
- Bolt
and brace water heater, which can often topple over and ignite fire
- Beware
windows or framed artwork- glass will shatter and spray in a quake
- Establish
a plan for communicating within your facility. Consider short-wave
radios.
- Establish
an external communication plan for your facility, e.g. satellite or
microwave.
- Know
where utility shut offs are located and how to use them.
- Maintain
an inventory of equipment used in your business
- Keep
records of maintenance schedules and service / warranty information.
- Conduct
regular drills, especially for fires and earthquakes
- Keep
office stocked with emergency supplies: water / food, radio, first aid
kit, fire extinguisher, flashlights & batteries, waterproof
plastic bags, cleaning agents, portable generator, camera, etc
Safeguard Suppliers
- Find
out what your suppliers plans are to service your needs after a
disaster.
- Create
a list of alternate suppliers.
- Talk
to your competitors about sharing resources.
Ensure Service Delivery
- Plan
for an alternate worksite if your facility is damaged or inaccessible.
- How
will you communicate with customers to explain alternate ways to reach
you?
- Ensure
customer records are backed up and accessible.
- Consider
other ways to deliver your services or products, e.g. mutual aid
agreements with other vendors.
Check Insurance Policies
- Evaluate
insurance coverage annually.
- Do
you know what to expect when you file a claim?
- Consider
a policy that will reimburse for business disruptions in addition to
physical loss.
- Become
familiar with disaster business resources from FEMA and the SBA (sba.gov)
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