Creating an Emergency Preparedness Plan
"There will be interruptions, and I don't know when they will occur, and I don't how deep they will occur, I do know they will occur from time to time, and I also know that we'll come out better on the other end"- Warren Buffet
Good day QuickBooks Community! Can you believe it is Friday already? The week really felt like it flew by. Anyway, I wanted to share with you this article by U.S. Chambers about creating an emergency preparedness plan. As Buffet said, you never know when interruptions may happen, but what you can do to get ahead of the game is to be prepared as much as you can. Here are the seven ways to do so:
Assess the risk that threatens your business
Businesses would need to assess the most significant threat and the long-term effect of this. You can create different situations and develop a plan for them. The authors listed some potential conditions such as:
Businesses would need to assess the most significant threat and the long-term effect of this. You can create different situations and develop a plan for them. The authors listed some potential conditions such as:
- An environmental emergency, like a flood.
- A global event, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A physical problem, like a break-in.
- A digital emergency, like a cybersecurity breach.
Complete a hazard vulnerability assessment
For companies that have a physical location, the author urges to do a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment to highlight any risk you may not be aware of. He mentioned that this would help your business produce good recovery strategies.
For companies that have a physical location, the author urges to do a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment to highlight any risk you may not be aware of. He mentioned that this would help your business produce good recovery strategies.
Gather employee emergency contact information
It is crucial to have all your employees' emergency contact info and have it stored in an area where it is easily accessible so data can be shared promptly in any crisis and how it is being managed.
It is crucial to have all your employees' emergency contact info and have it stored in an area where it is easily accessible so data can be shared promptly in any crisis and how it is being managed.
Establish evacuation procedures
This is learning more towards companies with a physical location; outlines of evaluation procedures should be highlighted in common areas. But also incorporate some drills so they know where to go and what to do.
This is learning more towards companies with a physical location; outlines of evaluation procedures should be highlighted in common areas. But also incorporate some drills so they know where to go and what to do.
Prepare emergency kits
This is a must for every business. Here is a list of medical and survival items that should be included as suggested by the writer:
This is a must for every business. Here is a list of medical and survival items that should be included as suggested by the writer:
- Gauze and bandages.
- Painkillers.
- A flashlight.
- Batteries.
- A warm blanket.
Backup important data and files
If you haven't, already it is best to secure your business data and files on a secure hard drive offsite. As a backup, you can store information in the clouds as well. When it comes to physical files, use two locations. Either one at work or one in your house, that way if one gets damaged there is another means to get information.
If you haven't, already it is best to secure your business data and files on a secure hard drive offsite. As a backup, you can store information in the clouds as well. When it comes to physical files, use two locations. Either one at work or one in your house, that way if one gets damaged there is another means to get information.
Now you have these seven steps, why not get to creating your emergency preparedness plan. I encourage you to read through the article to get more insight. Until then, my Community friends, have a blessed week and be safe!