OCT 2014 – ARE YOU PREPARED

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Are you readyAt 10:16am on October 16, 2014. Millions of people will Drop, Cover and Hold on in the Great Shakeout, the world’s largest earthquake drill ever! All businesses are encouraged to participate in the drill (or plan a more extensive exercise) and to inform the public about the drill. http://www.shakeout.org/

“Are you prepared” How quickly can your company get back to business after an Earthquake, Fire, Flood or Terrorist attack?

Taking simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies is the key to your business survival before, during and after a disaster.

These steps consist of:

  • Planning to stay in Business
  • Talk to your people
  • Protect your investment

Planning to stay in business:

  • Continuity Planning
    • Include your co-workers in the planning as well as members of the emergency management team to assist you in the process. Assess your equipment, materials, and procedures are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
  • Emergency Planning for employees
    • Include emergency information in newsletters, staff meetings and emails to inform your employees, provide an out of town check in procedure for your employees to ensure that they and their families are okay.
  • Make an evacuation plan
    • The ability to evacuate workers, customers and visitors effectively can save lives.
    • Practice your evacuation plan quarterly or every six month.
  • Emergency Supplies
    • Talk to your employees about where the emergency supplies are kept.
    • Invest in food, water, portable radios and supply kits for your employees.

Talk to your people:

  • Practice the Plan with Co-workers
    • Practice with your employees on what should be done during an emergency or disaster. Identify needs and develop preparedness skills. Include disaster training in new employee orientation programs.
  • Promote family and individual preparedness
    • Your company and your co-workers are better positioned in an emergency situation.
    • Encourage employees to make a family plan, supply kit and take training such as CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Amateur radio training, First Aid & CPR training.
  • Write a crisis communication plan
    • How will your employees, customers and others communicated during and after a disaster. Develop and practice your procedure.
    • Encourage employees to invest time in amateur radio training.
    • Purchase Satellite phones and train employees on how to use the phones.
    • Provide an out of town check in procedure for your employees to ensure that they and their families are okay.
    • Registering for the City of Redlands Emergency Notification System (aka as reverse 911) https://redlands.onthealert.com

Protect your investment:

  • Review Insurance coverage
    • Inadequate insurance coverage can lead to major financial loss if your business is damaged, destroyed or simply interrupted for a period of time.
  • Prepare for Utility Disruptions:
    • Plan ahead for extended disruptions during a disaster. Consider alternatives options such as portable generators.
    • Things to think of in advance, install fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and detectors in appropriate places. Secure ingress and egress and plan for mail safety.
  • Improve cyber security
    • Protecting your data and information technology systems may require specialized expertise, but even the smallest business can be better prepared.

Preparing makes sense:

An investment in planning today will not only help protect your business investment and your livelihood, but will also support your employees, customers and stakeholders, the community, the local economy and every the county.

“Failure to plan is planning to fail”

If you need any additional information,

Contact Fay Glass, Emergency Operations Manager, City of Redlands.

Office (909) 335-4705

Email address:  fglass@cityofredlands.org