Article courtesy of Federated Insurance
The skies are clear. The river is at its normal level. Authorities are reporting a low risk of wildfire. Fault lines have been quiet. It’s tempting to operate a business as if these will always be the case. But what will a business do when disaster strikes? Ask any business owner who has been through a disaster — thorough preparation makes all the difference.
When a business experiences a catastrophe, the trauma and stress make it difficult, if not impossible, to think clearly enough to begin setting things right. And unless all of the documents and information needed for operational continuity have been collected, businesses will have a difficult time getting things moving again.
Federated Mutual Insurance Company® offers the resources needed to prepare a business for a disaster with the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Open for Business-EZ® program. The program, available online or in print, guides business owners through the process of developing a plan to help keep a business profitable after a disaster.
The toolkit contains documents to record information about the major areas of business, including basic operations, equipment, employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, finances and information technology. It also helps business owners record and assess risk for a variety of natural and manmade disasters, and test a plan for reaction and recovery. To access the toolkit, visit the IBHS website or log on to Federated’s Shield Network and click on “IBHS – Disaster Planning.”
The IBHS website also offers a tool that helps users identify threats specific to their geographic region, helping to focus preparedness efforts. It also provides information on best practices, including assessments, guides, and checklists to help prepare for these perils:
• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Freezing weather
• Hail
• High winds
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Wildfire
The site www.disastersafety.org also is great for employees of the business to learn how to prepare for disasters. A business cannot recover unless it has employees who can help, and employees can’t help the business until they have their own personal situation under control. For more information on OFB-EZ® and the library of other risk management resources Federated Insurance® offers, contact your local Federated marketing representative.
This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce but are not guaranteed to eliminate any or all risk of loss. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. ©2019 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.
