Business Preparedness (September 9-15)

This week’s focus for National Preparedness Month is Business Preparedness. The Ready.gov site provides that, “America’s businesses form the backbone of the nation’s economy.”  In times of crises, local, regional, state and national businesses need to be prepared to protect not only their assets, but also the millions of employees who support them.  To assist in this effort, Fire Corps volunteers can reach out to local businesses and get them involved in making our communities safer.  Encourage your Fire Corps teams to use the information below to better educate businesses, the community, and fire or EMS departments on preparing for unexpected situations.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Ready.gov – Ready Business
Ready Business outlines commonsense measures business owners and managers can take to start getting ready.  It provides practical steps and easy-to-use templates to help protect a company's future.  These recommendations reflect the Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Standard developed by the National Fire Protection Association and endorsed by the American National Standards Institute and the Department of Homeland Security.  It also provides useful links to a variety of resources.
www.ready.gov/business/index.html

American Red Cross – Prepare at Work
The American Red Cross has worked to provide business owners, managers, and employees with insight about what to do in the case of an emergency.  This site provides information about workplace training and commuter safety along with a Business and Industry Guide to Disaster Planning.
www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_57_,00.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
This site provides comprehensive information, resources, and programs to prevent and prepare for work-related illness and injuries.  Topics include hazards and exposure, diseases and injuries, chemicals, safety and prevention, emergency preparedness and response, data and statistics, and more.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/prepared

U.S. Small Business Administration – Disaster Preparedness
The materials and resources on this web site can help small businesses to develop plans to recover from financial losses due to business interruption and to protect their employees, the community and the environment in the event of a disaster or other emergency.
www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/disasterpreparedness/index.html

National Business Group on Health - An Employer Toolkit: Terrorism Preparedness and Planning: A Public/Private Partnership
This toolkit provides large employers with pertinent and timely information about practical strategies around emergency planning and response, dealing with public health issues, sharing plans, and coordinating efforts.
www.businessgrouphealth.org/prevention/et_terrorismpreparedness.cfm

PandemicFlu.gov – Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a Pan Flu planning checklist for large businesses.  The checklist identifies important activities to assist large businesses in preparing for a possible outbreak.
www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html