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Understanding the characteristics of an emergency and how to respond is critical to the survival of your employees and your business.
Determine which staff, materials, procedures, operations, and equipment are absolutely
necessary to keep your business operating.
Establish procedures for succession of management. Include at least one person who is not
at the main company location, if possible.
Identify suppliers, shippers, resources and other businesses you must interact with on a daily
basis.
o Develop relationships with more than one company in case your primary service provider,
vendor, or contractor cannot service your needs during an emergency.
o Create a contact list for critical business contractors, vendors, and others you need to use
in operating your business. Keep this list with other important documents.
Prepare for utility disruptions
o Examine which utilities are vital to your business’ daily operations
o Speak with service providers about potential alternatives and identify back-up options
o Consider purchasing portable generators to power vital aspects of your business; never use
a generator inside.
o Plan a secondary means of accessing the internet if it is vital to your company’s daily
operations.
o If food storage or refrigeration is an issue for your business, identify a vendor that sells ice
and dry ice in case you cannot use refrigeration equipment
Plan what you will do if your building, plant, or store is not accessible.
o Consider if you can run the business from a different location or from your home
o Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities
Plan for payroll continuity
Decide who in your organization should participate in putting together your emergency plan
o Include co-workers from all levels in planning and as active members of the emergency
management team.
o Consider a broad cross-section of people from throughout your organization; focus on those
with expertise vital to daily business functions.
Define crisis management procedures and individual responsibilities in advance.
o Make sure those involved know what they are supposed to do
o Train alternates in case you need back-up or if the assigned person is not there or injured.
Coordinate with others
o Meet with other businesses in your building or industrial complex.
o Talk with first responders, emergency managers, community organizations, and utility
providers.
o Share your plans
Review your emergency plans annually; update your plans when you hire new employees or
when there are changes in how your company functions.
Practice your emergency plans regularly
o Evaluate and revise processes and procedures based on lessons learned in training and
exercise.
o Keep records of practices and changes you make to the plans
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