No business should operate without a disaster plan. As many as 40 percent of small businesses never reopen after a major disaster like a flood or earthquake.
- Ensure that an emergency plan is developed, updated and practiced at least every six months.
- Make specific plans for employees who are disabled or who may require assistance during an emergency.
- Put together an office phone tree. Develop a list of everyone’s home phone numbers and who is responsible for making each contact. Provide a copy for each employee. Permission from employees should be obtained before distributing home numbers. Keep a phone list of all key employees with you at all times.
- If you have a voice mail system, designate one remote number on which you can record messages for employees and provide them the number.
- Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business lines.
- Leave keys and the alarm codes with a trusted employee or friend in case you cannot get to your facility.
- Backup computer data frequently.
- Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert system.
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