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Here are some ideas of what it may cost to develop a disaster protection
and business continuity plan, according to Ready Business,
a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Some of what
is recommended can be done at little or no cost. Use this list to
get started and then consider what else can be done to protect your
people and prepare your business.
No Cost
- Meet with your insurance provider to review current coverage.
- Create a list of critical business contractors and others whom
you will use in an emergency.
- Decide in advance what you will do if your building is unusable.
- Create a list of inventory and equipment, including computer
hardware, software and peripherals, for insurance purposes.
- Talk to utility service providers about potential alternatives
and identify back-up options.
- Promote family and individual preparedness among your co-workers.
Include emergency preparedness information during staff meetings,
in newsletters, on company intranet, periodic employee emails and
other internal communications tools.
Under $500
- Buy a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm.
- Decide which emergency supplies the company can feasibly provide,
if any, and talk to your co-workers about what supplies individuals
might want to consider keeping in a personal and portable supply
kit.
- Set up a telephone call tree, password-protected page on the
company website, email alert or call-in voice recording to communicate
with employees in an emergency.
- Provide first aid and CPR training to key co-workers.
- Attach equipment and cabinets to walls or other stable equipment.
Place heavy or breakable objects on low shelves.
- Elevate valuable inventory and electric machinery off the floor
in case of flooding.
- Back up your records and critical data. Keep a copy offsite.
More than $500
- Consider additional insurance such as business interruption,
flood or earthquake.
- Purchase, install and pre-wire a generator
to the building's
essential electrical circuits. Provide for other utility alternatives
and back-up options.
- Install automatic sprinkler systems, fire hoses and fire-resistant
doors and walls.
- Make sure your building meets standards and codes. Consider a
professional engineer to evaluate the wind, fire or seismic resistance
of your building.
- Consider a security professional to evaluate and/or create your
disaster preparedness and business continuity plan.
- Upgrade your building's HVAC system
to secure outdoor air intakes and increase filter efficiency.
- Send safety and key emergency response employees to trainings
or conferences.
- Provide a large group of employees with first aid and CPR training.
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