Businesses need to prepare for disasters just as those at home do. Commercial buildings, equipment, and supplies are subject to the same disaster possibilities as any residential neighborhood. Even if your business is not damaged, you might be cut off from customers or supply lines or lose power or some other vital utility. Many small businesses don’t reopen after a disaster like a flood because they were not prepared.

Most of the same steps apply as to residential disaster planning. Find out what disasters are possible in your area and then preplan. A businesses disaster planning should consider three major categories: human resources, physical resources, and business continuity.

Some of the major steps to take include backing up important documents and records off site. Plan for multiple ways to contact employees and keep numbers and addresses readily accessible. Discuss your insurance coverage with your agent and make sure that you are adequately covered for any contingency to an amount which would allow the resumption of business activities.

Designate at least one person off of each working shift who can coordinate safety training and readiness drills. Make sure all employees are familiar with your disaster plans. Seek out specialized training for your employees such as first aid and CPR. Your local fire department is often a good source for this as is the American Red Cross.