Creating a Natural Disaster Action Plan for Your Business

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

Prep for Commercial Disasters with SERVPRO of Palo Alto

When it comes to your business, disaster planning is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But as natural disasters become increasingly common, it is an important to-do for any small business owner.

Business owners need to plan ahead effectively in case of natural disasters—a process that includes evaluating insurance coverage, making an action plan for yourself and your employees and building a strategy for how your business will recover after the fact.

How to Prepare Ahead of Time

1. Double-Check Your Insurance
Whether for business or personal needs, it’s always important to have a thorough understanding of what your insurance policies cover. In many cases, basic coverage will not pay for things such as flooding, so supplemental coverage options on the market may be needed. Evaluate your needs before an emergency occurs.

2. Create Your Action Plan
Every business needs to have a documented plan for how to react when an emergency occurs. This should include resources related to evacuation, as well as where local shelters and medical facilities are located. You will also need clear instructions on shutting down machinery and electronics on the way out the door.

3. Rehearse Drills and Prepare Staff
Once you’ve created the plan outlined above, you need to share it with your employees. It’s important to practice how your team will react to various disaster situations. This will make employees feel much safer, and reduce your liability as a business owner as well.

4. Choose a Restoration Company to Work With
Because your livelihood—and that of your employees—is at stake, reopening quickly will be your priority after a disaster. Vetting and choosing a restoration company ahead of time will allow you to quickly reach out to the company after a disaster.

If you need to pick a commercial restoration company that’s right for you, call us today! We can tell you all about what sets our process apart.