Plan to Stay in Business
Business continuity planning must account for all hazards (both man-made and natural disasters). Plan to manage any emergency. Assess the situation and use common sense and resources to take care of yourself, your co-workers, and your business’s recovery. Carefully evaluate internal and external operations to determine which staff members, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
For more information on devising a business emergency plan, please visit ready.gov/business.
Take the Business Risk Assessment
- Be Informed
Know what kinds of emergencies might affect your company. - Continuity Planning
Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally. - Emergency Planning
Your employees and co-workers are your business’s most important and valuable asset. - Emergency Supplies
Think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air, and warmth. - Deciding to Stay or Go
Shelter-in-place or evacuate, plan for both possibilities. - Fire Safety
Fire is the most common of all business disasters. - Medical Emergencies
Take steps that give you the upper hand in responding to medical emergencies. - Influenza Pandemic
The federal government, states, communities, and industry are taking steps to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic.
Talk to Your People
A solid business emergency plan only works if everyone on your team is aware of the plan and the actions they need to take.
- Involve Co-Workers
Include people from all levels in emergency planning. - Practice the Plan
Drills and exercises will help you prepare. - Promote Preparedness
Encourage your employees and their families to: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed. - Crisis Communication Plan
Detail how you will be in contact with employees, customers, and others during and after a disaster. - Employee Health
People who have experienced a disaster may have special recovery needs.
Protect Your Investment
As well as planning for an emergency, you can also take steps to protect your company and secure your physical assets.
- Insurance Coverage
Policies vary, meet with your provider to review current coverage. - Utility Disruptions
Prepare for extended outages during and after a disaster. - Facilities, Buildings & Plants
Take steps to secure physical assets. - Equipment
Conduct a room-by-room walk-through to determine what needs to be secured. - Building Air Protection
Assess the HVAC system to improve indoor air quality. - Cybersecurity
Protect your data and information technology systems.