Disaster Mitigation Checklist for Business Managers:
The following are basic guidelines for business managers concerned about the security of their people, plant, property, and equipment. For more information, please contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at (202) 646-4600.
1. Develop an emergency response policy. Elements include:
_____ An employee and next of kin emergency contact system
_____ An automated emergency information notification system (e.g., Web site, phone, and/or radio)
_____ Development of an emergency policy and procedures manual
_____ Safety orientation for all employees and periodic safety drills
_____ Accessible first aid kits, water, tool kits and other emergency supplies
_____ Make sure that all essential records are backed up and stored in remote locations.
2. Implement basic safeguards for plant, property and equipment:
_____ Periodically review insurance coverage
_____ Periodically review and update fire and gas detectors, extinguishing systems
_____ Develop inventory safeguards
_____ Conduct periodic building and property inspections
_____ Develop access policies and procedures
3. Know your emergency service providers and critical infrastructure service providers:
_____ Law enforcement
_____ Fire
_____ Health Services
_____ Search and Rescue
_____ Other Emergency Services
_____ Utilities
4. Protect your cybersecurity
_____ Change system passwords every six months
_____ Delete obsolete addresses from the corporate network
_____ Implement security policies for hardware, software, and network assets
5. Know your vendors
_____ Due diligence should include security background checks
_____ Vendor contracts should include security requirements and safeguards
6. Recovery and Reconstitution
_____ Implement redundancy for critical systems, preferably at remote locations
_____ Lay aside a reasonable cash reserve
_____ Develop a recovery plan
_____ Know your government resources: Small Business Administration for recovery loans, FEMA for other emergency assistance. "
