4 Steps Toward Safeguarding Businesses From Storm Damage.

5/3/2019 (Permalink)

4 Steps Toward Safeguarding Businesses from Storm Damage

Even businesses with strong disaster plans are affected by major storms, flooding, or fires. Forty percent of all businesses affected by disasters won't open their doors again. Within one year after the mess has been cleaned up, another 25 percent will fail. This is bad news for just about everyone involved. Fortunately, insurance providers, business owners, and community leaders can take preventative steps before disaster recovery is necessary. 

1. Establish Written Business Continuity Plan

These documents should contain the procedures to take when disasters threaten, during disasters, and during the recovery period. For example, if storm damage is severe, business owners may need to relocate the workplace temporarily. Other elements of this plan may include phone trees, information technology procedures, and emergency evacuation responsibilities. 

2. Schedule Regular Employee Trainings

It isn't enough to cover these storm response procedures in one workshop. Employees need to be familiar and comfortable enough with the steps that they remember and carry them out with ease. When employees are clear about their individual responsibilities and have performed them several times in non-emergency situations, they are more likely to respond calmly during a disaster. 

3. Keep Emergency Supplies Handy

The right equipment and supplies are vital to the success of a disaster recovery plan. Business owners should have first-aid kits, flashlights, and other emergency supplies within easy reach for employees. Other equipment, such as clean water, food, a generator, and even blankets could further safeguard the well-being of company personnel. 

4. Store Copies of Key Information in Multiple Sites

During a storm, it may be impossible to access phone numbers through workplace computers. After a flood, in-house copies of insurance policies may have been thoroughly damaged; a hard copy kept in another location could provide needed information. Contact information for cleanup and recovery professionals should be included. 

Successful disaster recovery actually begins long before storms hit Champaign/Urbana. Communities, business leaders, and insurance professionals can do their part in protecting residents by providing documents and resources that increase participation in business continuity plans. SERVPRO of Champaign/Urbana will be glad to help you establish an emergency plan as well! Call (217) 355-0077 if you would like to set up an appointment.

(SB)