Business All-Hazard Preparedness Plan

Business All-Hazard Preparedness Plan

The impact of all-hazard situations on your business can involve a number of factors – your property, employees, customers, suppliers. Planning ahead for these situations can help to minimize the impact and speed the recovery of your business.

Use this checklist to make preparations for your business before a disaster situation.

Business Emergency Preparedness Plan [PDF]

Business Emergency Plan Basics [PDF]

Before a Disaster or Emergency

Determine the hazards and risks for your area and business.

Establish a team to develop the business all- hazards preparedness/continuity plan.

  • Document all processes that make your business run -- from answering the phones, to tracking finances, to distributing your product or service.
  • Determine what processes and equipment are critical to keeping your business open.
  • Obtain building and site maps.

Plan for continuity.

  • Store extra supplies offsite.
  • Make a plan for a temporary location if your company if forced to relocate.
  • Have a plan for alternate communication with customers, suppliers during recovery.
  • Determine leadership roles and responsibilities.
  • Develop plan to maintain payroll.

Maintain an inventory of all equipment used by your business.

  • Keep a maintenance schedule for all equipment, as well as manufacturer and service contact information.

Develop a backup schedule for computer files.

  • Keep a backup of all tax, accounting, payroll and production records, customer and supplier data off-site.
  • Keep copies of all paper and computer files in an accessible but off-site location.

Contact your insurance agent.

  • Review your insurance coverage.
  • Get additional coverage for “all-hazard” situations (e.g., flood, hail damage).
  • Keep copies of critical documents, such as finance records, receipts of major purchases.

Prepare your employees.

  • Inform your employees of the business emergency plan; review it with them regularly.
  • Ensure employees know the exit locations for the building
  • Identify an internal shelter in the event that authorities tell you to “shelter-in-place.”
  • Document each employee’s function and emergency contact information.

Develop a post-disaster communication strategy.

  • Create a phone tree and designate individuals who will initiate the communication process.
  • Designate a contact person to communicate with customers and vendors.

Make plans regarding customers.

  • Determine the likelihood of customers being present at your business during a disaster situation.
  • Have an emergency plan for customers; review it with employees regularly.
  • Label exit locations for the building.

Make plans for suppliers.

  • Maintain a contact list of all your suppliers.
  • Find out how they plan to supply you in the event of a disaster situation.
  • Maintain a list of alternate suppliers.

Review your emergency preparedness plan annually.

Coordinate with other businesses in your building or location.

Important Websites

Build a Kit
Website with information and links for making, storing and maintaining a disaster supply kit.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Can Your Organization Survive a Natural Disaster? Infographic
An infographic on how disasters affect companies, and why they should prepare
Boston University
Emergency Preparedness for Small Businesses
Website with resources to help small businesses prepare for and recover from disaster situations.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Emergency Preparedness for the Workplace
Website with links to emergency planning and training resources for the workplace.
National Safety Council
Emergency Preparedness Resources for Businesses
Website with many resources to help businesses with preparedness planning for all-hazard situations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Ready Business
Website of resources to help businesses plan and prepare for any kind of emergency situation.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Additional Preparedness Resources

Disaster Recovery Plan for Businesses
Guidebook to help your business prepare for and recover from a disaster.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry
Guide with step-by-step advice on how to create and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program for businesses or organizations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Emergency Supplies List
Emergency supply list for disaster situations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters
Website with links to information on various health and safety issues that can occur during or after disaster situations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Prepare Your Workplace
Website with information and resources for preparing your business and employees for an emergency situation.
American Red Cross (ARC)
Ready.gov: Business Continuity Plan
Checklist templates for use in developing and assessing a business recovery plan for a natural or man-made disasters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Ready.gov: Sheltering
Website with information on sheltering-in-place and measures to implement.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)