Risk
About Wildfires
What is my risk?
Mitigation
What can I do
at home?
What can
I do at work?
Local Mitigation
Activities
Preparation
Are you prepared?
Weather Advisories
Related Links -> |
What can I do at work?
It is
estimates that 43% of businesses never reopen following a local
disaster, such as a hurricane. It is important that business owners
take proactive steps to protect their business, because they are
a vital part of the community.
The Small
Business Administration (SBA) and the Institute
for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) suggest that small
business owners develop a Disaster Plan that includes mitigation
activities. These activities are divided into the following categories:
Links
for additional information are provided at the end of this
page.
Facilities
(Buildings & Equipment)
- Install a
fire resistant roof if you are in a wildfire-prone areas.
This is something that most business owners would probably
hire a contractor to do. Contact your county building department
for information on obtaining a permit. Click
here for more information.
- Clear the
area around your business. Shrubs, brush, woodpiles, and
combustible debris should be removed within a radius of 30
feet at the base around your business to give firefighters
a fighting chance against fire. Fire needs fuel to burn. Click
here for additional information.
- Clean roof
and gutters regularly to prevent accumulation of leaves
that may cause a fire hazard.
- Consider installing
a sprinkler system, fire hoses and fire-resistant walls
and doors.
Operations
- Establish procedures
for the safe handling and storage of flammable liquids and
gases.
- Establish procedures
to prevent the accumulation of combustible materials.
- Provide for the
safe disposal of smoking material.
- Identify and
mark all utility shutoffs so that electrical power, gas or
water can be shut off quickly by fire wardens or responding
personnel.
Critical
Information and Communication
- Make backup copies
of all critical records such as accounting and employee data,
as well as customer lists, production formulas, and inventory.
- Keep a backup
copy of your computer's basic operating system, boot files,
and critical software.
- Store a copy
of all vital information on-site and a second in a safe off-site
location. Make it a critical part of your routine to regularly
back up files.
- Make pre-arrangements
with computer vendors to quickly replace damaged vital hardware.
Keep invoices, shipping lists, and other documentation of
your system configuration off-site so you can quickly order
the correct replacement components.
- Maintain an up-to-date
copy of phone numbers, computer and Internet logon codes and
passwords, employee phone numbers and other critical information
in an accessible location.
- Develop an employee
"telephone tree" to rapidly contact employees in an emergency.
Insurance
- Review your current
insurance coverage. Is it enough to get your business back
in operation?
- Be aware of your
contents insurance. Does it cover the replacement cost of
critical equipment?
- Know what your
insurance does not cover. Most general casualty policies do
not cover flood damage. Many require additional riders for
windstorm, sewer backup, or earth movement. Consider adding
coverage for likely perils, especially flood insurance.
- Consider business
interruption insurance that assists you with operating needs
during a period of shutdown. It may help you meet payrolls,
pay vendors, and purchase inventory until you are in full
operation again. Also be prepared for the extraordinary costs
of a disaster such as leasing temporary equipment, restoring
lost data, and hiring temporary workers.
- Don't assume
that, just because it never happened before, it never will.
For
more information you can visit the following websites:
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