Plan For Continuity

• Determine which staff, materials, procedures, operations, and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep your business operating
• Establish procedures for succession of management; include at least one person who is not at the company headquarters, if applicable
• Identify suppliers, shippers, resources and other businesses you must interact with on a daily basis
  • Develop relationships with more than one company in case your primary contractor cannot service your needs
  • Create a contact list for critical business contractors and others you plan to use in an emergency; keep this list with other important documents
• Prepare for utility disruptions
  • Examine which utilities are vital to your business' daily operations
  • Speak with service providers about potential alternatives and identify back-up options
  • Consider purchasing portable generators to power vital aspects of your business; never use a generator inside
  • Plan a secondary means of accessing the internet if it is vital to your company's daily operations
  • If food storage or refrigeration is an issue for your business, identify a vendor that sells ice and dry ice in case you cannot use refrigeration equipment
• Plan what you will do if your building, plant, or store is not accessible
  • Consider if you can run the business from a different location or from your home
  • Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities
• Plan for payroll continuity
• Decide who should participate in putting together your emergency plan
  • Include co-workers from all levels in planning and as active members of the emergency management team
  • Consider a broad cross-section of people from throughout your organization; focus on those with expertise vital to daily business functions
• Define crisis management procedures and individual responsibilities in advance
  • Make sure those involved know what they are supposed to do
  • Train alternates in case you need back-up or if the assigned person is not there or injured
• Coordinate with others
  • Meet with other businesses in your building or industrial complex
  • Talk with first responders, emergency managers, community organizations, and utility providers
  • Share your plans
• Review your emergency plans annually; update your plans when you hire new employees or when there are changes in how your company functions
• Practice your emergency plans regularly
• Evaluate and revise processes and procedures based on lessons learned in training and exercise
• Keep records of practices and changes you make to the plans