Business Preparedness
Plan, Recover, Respond
Hurricane season is upon us. Your business needs to be prepared for unforeseen natural disasters to prevent and minimize the impact of such events. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, almost 40 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors after a disaster, and of those that do reopen, 25 percent fail within a year. Now is the time to create a recovery plan or re-evaluate your current plan for how your business will continue if a disaster strikes.
When creating a recovery plan, ask yourself these questions:
· What is the process and timeframe for filing an insurance claim?
· What will you do about the things that aren’t covered?
· How long can you sustain if you have to pause your business operations?
Making sure insurance policies are in place and all documents are up-to-date can ensure there is a protective layer against damages and losses. Review your policies to know what your insurance covers.
Here are some useful resources to help you plan:
● FloridaDisaster.biz is available to provide businesses, small and large, access to critical information before, during, and after a disaster – helping Florida businesses prepare, respond, and recover from hurricanes and other disasters.
● The Florida Emergency Networks were organized to assist state agencies and local governments with purchasing functions during emergencies. You can learn more about the networks and how to participate as a supplier here: Florida Emergency Networks.
● The Florida Division of Emergency Management Planning for Businesses is a great resource to help get started. Below are some additional tips to prepare for a disaster.
· Protect your electronics.
· Back up your data.
· Protect the interior.
· Have a communication plan in place.
· Manage your supply chain.
Being prepared as a business is to be prepared as a community and as a state!
