Business Guidance

CREATING AND USING A BUSINESS EMERGENCY PLAN

Definition of an Emergency: “Any unplanned event that can cause deaths or significant injuries to employees, customers or the public; or that can shut down your business, disrupt operations, cause physical or environmental damage, or threaten the facility’s financial standing or public image.” In short, anything from a snowstorm to a HAZMAT incident in your area to a terrorist attack.

On average, over 40% of businesses that don't have a disaster plan go out of business after a major loss like a fire, a break-in, or a storm. – The Hartford Small Business Insurance Center and DHS
A fire occurs in a structure at the rate of one every 61 seconds. – National Fire Protection Agency, 2003

4 Steps to Emergency Planning for Businesses

Step 1: Establish a Planning Team

Include members of each department
Create a schedule & budget
Establish authority
Write a mission statement

Step 2: Analyze Your Capabilities & Hazards

Define Critical operations & agency functions
Review internal plans & policies
Network with outside groups
Determine likelihood of potential disaster
Assess the potential impact to people, business & industry

Step 3: Develop the Plan

Components should include: executive summary, emergency management elements, emergency response procedures
Create supportive documents such as supply lists, emergency contact sheets or resource lists
Coordinate with outside organizations such as government agencies. Check regulations!
Distribute the plan

Step 4: Implement the Plan

Integrate into the company operations
Hold trainings for employees and volunteers
Conduct practice drills & exercises
Modify the document: after drills, after emergencies and after personnel changes
Brief Staff & volunteers on changes