4 Years later

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

If disaster strikes, will you still be in business a year from now?  According to FEMA 40% of businesses never reopen after a major disaster, and only 29% will still be open two years later. They go on to say that if the technology is down for nine days the business will likely be bankrupt within a year. By having a comprehensive disaster plan, the odds of survival are much greater.  All of these factors need to be considered when formulating your disaster plan: 

• Natural Hazards 

• Human-Caused Hazards 

• Technology-Related Hazards 
• Health Hazards 

 Natural Hazards: Floods, rockslides and mud-slides, earthquakes and high winds just to mention a few.  Human-Caused Hazards: Floods, fires, damaged sprinkle systems, or violence. Technology-Related Hazards: I don’t know of a business that doesn’t rely on communication systems including telephones and the internet.  Health Hazards: It seems like the flu is the big one. Are there plans in place in the event of major outbreak? How much of the staff can be out sick at the same time before it harms the business?  What to do. 

• Identify the Risks 

• Develop a Plan 

• Take Action 

Every business has risks, but they are not all the same. Plans need to be tailored to the specific location and type of business. SERVPRO has developed the Ready Plan. It is a great asset to add to the emergency plan. 

Taking action could be the only thing preventing a bankruptcy. However, after a plan has been put in place, it needs to work! PRACTICE it and work out the bugs. I participated in an evacuation drill for a care facility unrelated to Community Action Resource Enterprise, Inc... On paper it was flawless, but in reality it was deadly. Turned out the hospital beds were too big to maneuver though the evacuation route. In discussing the ideas for this month’s Tip of the Month with Erin Skaar, the Executive Director of Community Action Resource Enterprise, Inc., she suggested using high school students as stand-ins for residents for care center drills. I thought this was a great idea. Finally, plans need to be effective. I remember hiding under my school desk during the Air Raid drills. I’m still not sure that was a particularly effective plan.