List of emergency management resources for businesses, 2002

z STEPS TO RECOVERY Assessing Damages Discard perishable food items. If the business is a food any shipments received or sales made after the Z o Following a disaster, it is anything but “business as usual” Make note of the damages caused to the structure by the service, keep a list of these items. disaster are documented separately from pre-disaster o i p for you, your employees and customers. But the faster you can return your business to some level of normal disaster, such as to roofing, siding, windows and signage. Photos and videotapes could supplement your documen­ Evaluating Business Interruption business. If you have extra expense coverage, you could be reim­ co

■a o Business interruption insurance helps replace the income c o operations, the quicker you can restore income, jobs and tation. Also note damages to business equipment and bursed for extra expenses such as continuing operations CT o your business would have generated if it hadn’t been tem­ the goods and services your community has come to property, including product inventory and raw materials. o' porarily shutdown by the disaster. If your coverage includes at another location, temporarily renting equipment until ■D K3 depend on from you. damaged equipment can be replaced, moving expense etc. o 00 You’ll also want to avoid additional property damage by a business interruption clause, take the following steps: 3. 03 There are many resources available to help in this process , making temporary repairs to the building, boarding up Returning to Business o • Prepare a list of steps required for your business to o (See “Additional Resources”). This brochure’s focus is on windows or covering holes in the roof to make it weather The time it takes to return your business to normal oper­ o promptly resume operations on a full or even partial basis. c how to work with your insurance company’s representa­ tight, for instance. (If you don’t own the building, let the ating levels depends much on the decisions you and your 3 tives. These professionals are experienced in helping busi­ owner know what you plan to do.) You may also want to • Financial considerations should include payroll and CD insurance representative make together. The key deci­ nesses recover from disasters and will have specific advice partition the building if some areas are not usable. debt needs and obligations. sions may involve these considerations: pertaining to your losses, coverage and recovery. Most of To help you calculate the amount of business income loss­ Finally, consider securing the building from casual entry • Overall damage assessment. the suggestions and tips offered here are meant to help es, your adjuster will need: by using temporary signs to start that process. • Historical sales records. • Repairs to current location while conducting business. redirect parking or traffic These are some frequently asked questions of Reporting the Loss Right Away access. You may want to notify • Income and expense informa­ • Current location use vs. a new location to conduct insurance representatives following disasters. Call your insurance agent, broker, or insurance company your customers and suppliers You may want to have ;his list when you first tion as shown in recent profit business. immediately to report how, when, and where the loss or about temporary changes being make contact with your insurer to avoid and loss statements and/or • Amount of modifications to current or new location. damage occurred. Have your policy number handy, and multiple follow-up calls. income tax forms. made to continue operations, • Reordering inventory, supplies and other materials. give them a general description of damages. including change of address if • What coverage do I presently have? • Other business records that • Communications with customers, suppliers and necessary. • Should I make temporary repairs and might assist in projecting what Putting Safety First begin the clean-up urocess? employees. The safety of people and property are key considerations Cleaning Up your profits would have been • Should I look for another facility in • Insurance coverage review. following a disaster. Buildings must be safe for occupan­ Your insurance company may had your business not been which to run my business? Establishing a Disaster Preparedness Plan cy before employees and customers re-enter. instruct you to hire a profes­ interrupted. (You may need to • Who will be my adjuster and when will I look to outside resources for for the Next Time sional cleaning service for your be contacted? • If you own the building your business occupies, have these materials if your paper Emergencies can include natural and man-made disas­ place of business. Any clean-up it inspected by structural engineers and contractors • Should I begin the inventory process, and computer files were dam­ ters. You will have a better chance of minimizing employ­ effort should be done in a safe and what is needed in terms of verifica­ to determine its safety and the extent of the damage. aged or destroyed.) ee deaths, injuries and illnesses, reducing property dam­ and healthful manner. If you or tion for my claim? • If you do not own the building, work with the owner age and accelerating business recovery if you plan ahead. your employees are involved in • If I do not have any property damage, but You’ll also want to maintain to have the building inspected. But whether you own An emergency preparedness plan, at a minimum, should this effort, use safety items such have lost revenue, can I claim that? accurate records of extra the property or not, you are responsible for the safety include the following elements: as proper eyewear, gloves, • I had to close my business due to the expenses made to expedite the of your employees, customers and anyone else who hardhats and dust masks/respi- orders of civil authorities. Can I make a resumption of operations. Also, • Pre-disaster actions to protect people, facilities and may be on the premises. rators during cleaning. Also, claim for the revenue I lost during this keep a record of communica­ contents. separate the damaged stock time? tions regarding orders to evacu­ • If the building is not usable, you will need to find an • Emergency evacuation procedures and assignments. alternative location to conduct your business. from the undamaged stock, and ate, including who ordered the • Essential facility operations (or shut down) procedures. remove all debris as soon as possible after you receive evacuation along with the date and time. • Restoring your utilities, phone service, gas lines and • Off-site storage (back-up) of information. other important links should be done as soon as possi­ authorization from authorities and your adjuster. • If portions of your inventory are lost or damaged beyond recognition, you’ll need records to evaluate You should discuss your emergency plan with your ble. If you discover gas leaks or live wires, be sure to Sanitation systems within the facility should be working your loss, such as receipts. Again, if those records are employees, and provide training and periodic testing of immediately contact your utility provider. or repaired immediately. If the workspace has a kitchen, also lost or damaged, you might want to look at out­ the plan. Employees should be notified any time changes • Get your sprinkler system back into service as inspect oven hoods and other ventilation devices to side documentation available from your accountant, are made to the plan. A current copy of the plan should be quickly as possible. ensure they are not clogged and are working efficiently. your insurance agent or the IRS. It is important that kept where employees can refer to it easily.