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Articles
IMPACT OF TERRORIST ATTACKS ON BUSINESSES
PART I - Emergency Management Are You Prepared?
In light of recent tragic events, the time has come for businesses to reassess their preparedness in the event of an emergency. Emergency management is a critical component of a good business organization.
Emergency management is preparing for, responding to and recovering from an emergency. An emergency is an unplanned event that can cause injuries to employees, customers or the general public. It can also disrupt or shut down your business. A study done by the University of Minnesota in 1993 found that "90% of companies that experience a catastrophic loss of data and equipment, and are not prepared, are out of business within two years." Planning, though key, is not the only component of an effective emergency management program. Training and conducting drills are also very important functions of a good program. A successful emergency management program starts at the top and filters its way down to all employees.
So, what can you do to implement an effective emergency management program? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers the following recommendations:
- Form a planning team from each department to encourage participation and provide perspective on the issues at hand.
- Issue a mission statement to demonstrate the company's commitment to the program.
- Gather information about possible hazards and emergencies; this includes reviewing internal policies about evacuation plans, fire protection plans, etc.
- Familiarize employees with the various Federal, State and Local regulations such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations and local Fire Codes.
- Implement the plan by integrating it into the corporate culture and by training employees on how and what to do in the event of an emergency.
- Training sessions should address the following:
- Individual roles and responsibilities. Information about threats, hazards and protective actions.
- Procedures on notification and warning to the proper authorities in the event of an emergency.
- Location and use of common emergency equipment; i.e. fire extinguishers, fire alarms, etc.
- Develop a procedure for accountability in the event of evacuation, to ensure that all employees, vendors and customers make it to safety.
- Evaluate the plan by conducting annual audits and making modifications if necessary.
The steps above are only a few recommendations in order to implement an effective emergency management program for your business. There are certain things you can do at this time in order to establish a preliminary course of action in case of an emergency. These include:
- Notify employees as to where safety equipment is located.
- Review the processes used in your business to reduce the risk of an accident occurring.
- Make sure all employees know where the facilities exit routes and fire doors are located.
- Perform fire drills on a regular basis to familiarize your employees as to the procedures for evacuation.
- Photograph or videotape all assets held by the company, for use of the insurance companies.
- Review insurance policies to make sure that the policy will appropriately cover you in the event of a loss, so that the business can return back to normal.
- Keep all important documents at an off-site location.
- Backup all computer data regularly and keep a copy of each backup at an off-site location.
These basic steps will not only protect your business and employees but will show your community the commitment you have toward them. It is an integral part of good business management to have an emergency management program in place, especially in these uncertain times.
For additional information from FEMA, its publication
Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry is
available on-line at www.fema.gov/library/bizindst.pdf
Sheehan & Company believes that every business should evaluate the feasibility of implementing an emergency management program. Not only to protect the continuity of your business, but it is also a commitment to your employees and clients who rely on your business for their livelihood.
Please contact your Sheehan Service Partner to discuss Disaster Recovery Planning for your business.
Click here for Part II
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