Corporate Programs

Building A Disaster Resistant Business

A Hazard Identification, Vulnerability Assessment and Disaster Planning Initiative for the Workplace

The purpose of this "Building A Disaster Resistant Business" activity is to provide you with information to help you begin the process of preparing a written plan to insure your business survives the next disaster.

The Future Of Disaster Preparedness

It is 11:17AM in the morning on September 12 and a category 4 hurricane named Zena is making landfall in the southeastern United States. A storm surge of 18 feet brings waters of the Gulf of Mexico roaring into the coastal community of Hazardville, with 15 foot waves toping this moving wall of water. Sustained winds of 135 miles per hour tear at trees and buildings, turning loose objects into dangerous projectiles. Hurricane Zena will be the largest and strongest hurricane of the six month Hurricane Season.

It is now December 12, three months after Zena's landfall. In the shops, marinas and streets of Hazardville, crowds of tourists meander, the sun is shining, the skies are blue and the temperature is 71 degrees. It is another blissful day in Paradise, and the only reminders of the fury of three months ago are scattered fresh tree stumps, heavy equipment delivering and grading new beach sand in several storm washed areas, and the banging of hammers as minor repairs to several structures are being completed. The community's economy is booming, and all is well in Hazardville.

corporate programsThis scenario is immediately deemed as utopian fiction - memories of the devastation caused by hurricanes Hugo and Andrew spring to mind. No community could withstand such a powerful blow and come back to prosperity so quickly - RIGHT?

WRONG. Hazardville is a model Disaster Resistant Community in which all sectors have come together to identify common threats and fund preventative measures to reduce potential damage from future disasters. As part of Hazardville's disaster mitigation initiative, businesses took the opportunity to identify the hazards they face and assess their vulnerability to these hazards. Written Continuity of Operations (Disaster) Plans were prepared and funds made available to help reduce damage and loss of life from the next disasters.

Business & Industry Guide

Why bother? Disasters don't happen here. Even if you think you are not in a disaster-prone area, something like a chemical tanker truck overturning can prevent you and your employees from getting to your facility. Even if a flood doesn't put your business under water, customers and supplies may not be able to get to you.

Power outages, brown-outs or surges can affect your daily business operations. Many disasters, like wind storms, tornadoes and earthquakes, can strike quickly and with little or no warning.

Also see the Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry. A step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes. Sponsored by a Public-Private Partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

What can I do?

Consider allowing your employees train and become part of the American Red Cross response team to assist your community to be prepared or respond for disasters.

Ready when the Time Comes:

The Ready When the Time Comes program is being nationalized in response to lessons learned from the 2005 hurricane season. We learned we cannot go it alone, that the Red Cross needs mutually beneficial partnerships such as this collaboration between Grainger and the Office of the National Chair of Volunteers. Pilot chapters are to come up with innovative strategies to recruit corporate volunteers, to develop tools for success that can eventually be used by all Red Cross chapters.

Locally, the American Red Cross of Lee County has determined beneficial relationships such as the above with Chico’s, Best Buy, Lee County Department of Human Services and Catholic Charities. Please consider having your organization be part of our team. Contact Geri McArdle at 239-278-3401, if this interests you.

Find out which natural and technological hazards can happen in your area. Get information about how to prepare your employees and clients to respond to possible hazards and provide help. Disaster safety information and CPR/first aid training are available from your local Red Cross chapter. Network with others who have or need to develop risk or contingency management plans. Attend seminars and get information from local risk management associations or chapters.

Disaster Recovery Begins Before a Disaster

No business should risk operating without a disaster plan. While reports vary, as many as 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major disaster like a flood, tornado or earthquake. These shuttered businesses were unprepared for a disaster; they had no plan or backup systems.

When you start to develop your disaster plan, consider three subjects: human resources, physical resources and business continuity. Think about how a disaster could affect your employees, customers and workplace. Think about how you could continue doing business if the area around your facility is closed or streets are impassable. Think about what you would need to serve your customers even if your facility is closed.

Start building your plan now. Here are some suggestions your may want to consider:

  • Keep phone lists of your key employees and customers with you, and provide copies to key staff members.
  • If you have a voice mail system at your office, designate one remote number on which you can record messages for employees. Provide the number to all employees.
  • Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business line(s). Then, if you can't get to the office, you can call in and reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.
  • If you may not be able to get to your office quickly after an emergency, leave keys and alarm code(s) with a trusted employee or friend who is closer.
  • Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out. They are inexpensive and widely available at building supply retailers.
  • Back up computer data frequently throughout the business day. Keep a backup tape off site.
  • Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery backup systems. They will add protection for sensitive equipment and help prevent a computer crash if the power goes out.
  • Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about severe weather and protective actions to take.
  • Stock a minimum supply of the goods, materials and equipment you would need for business continuity.
  • Consult with your insurance agent about precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business. Remember, most policies do not cover earthquake and flood damage. Protect valuable property and equipment with special riders. Discuss business continuity insurance with your agent.
  • Keep emergency supplies handy, including
    • Flashlights with extra batteries
    • First aid kit
    • Tools
    • Food and water for employees and customers to use during a period of unexpected confinement at your business, such as if a tanker truck over-turned nearby and authorities told everyone in the area to stay put for an extended period.

Reduce Potential Damage

Prevent or reduce disaster damage in your facility by taking precautions, such as:

  • Bolting tall bookcases or display cases to wall studs.
  • Protecting breakable objects by securing them to a stand or shelf using hook-and- loop fasteners.
  • Moving to lower shelves large objects that could fall and break or injure someone.
  • Installing latches to keep drawers and cabinets from flying open and dumping their contents.
  • Using closed screw eyes and wire to securely attach framed pictures and mirrors to walls.
  • Using plumber's tape or strap iron to wrap around a hot water heater to secure it to wall studs.

You should also consider having a professional install:

  • Flexible connectors to appliances and equipment fueled by natural gas.
  • Shutters that you can close to protect windows from damage caused by debris blown by a hurricane, tornado or severe storm.
  • Automatic fire sprinklers.

Protect Your Employees, Customers and Business

Designate one employee from each work shift to be the safety coordinator. This person will make all decisions relating to employee and customer safety and to the safety of the business itself. Safety coordinators should know how to contact the owner or operator at all times.

Everyone in your facility should know how to prepare for a disaster and what to do if a disaster occurs. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for specific information about how to stay safe in a tornado, earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane or other hazard.

Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry

Another source of useful information is Open for Business, a booklet developed by the Institute for Business and Home Safety and the Small Business Administration.