Are You Prepared? Your Emergency Planning and Tips Guide
Emergency planning can be time consuming and costly. People often understand the physical definition of the word emergency and the need for planning, but what about the implications of it? About 75 percent of small businesses have no disaster plan in place. Of those who have experienced a natural disaster, more than half said it took three months or more to recover. It’s time to be emergency-ready and have a plan in place. Here are a few tips to getting started.
Your Emergency Planning Guide
If a natural disaster occurs tomorrow—are you ready? If all power is lost and you have only moments, possibly seconds, to determine your next move—are you ready?
There are a lot of decisions and time involved with proper emergency planning. And although it may not seem essential right now, having a plan in place will make all of the difference in those crucial moments of need.
If you’re ready to take the next step to create an effective emergency plan, Cleveland Brothers is here to help. Whether you’re in need of rental solutions on the spot, from air compressors and heaters to generators, or you’re ready to have a more permanent plan, our team will provide you with expert advice and quality products.
To help you get started creating your emergency plan and preparations, it’s important to consider these few simple yet crucial tips:
1. Consider an alternative power source.
Whether your location is at high risk of a natural disaster or not, companies of all sizes and locations struggle for a consistent flow of power. If you need power for a facility with patients, finances or data, reliable power is crucial to your business. Not sure which generator is right for you? Trust our experts to provide you with the information you need to make an educated decision.
2. Make a physical, documented emergency plan.
It’s important to research emergency planning and create something tangible. Having everything documented will help you know what to do in the moments that matter the most. Make sure to:
- Talk with your insurance representative to learn which emergency situations and items are covered and which are not. Keep a record of your insurance on file.
- Consider your location to verify that you have the right kind of insurances (such as flood and fire)
- Create a list of emergency contacts and know which representatives to contact
- Act as if the disaster has already occurred. Then figure out the details now so you know what to expect in an actual emergency
- Know the closest location of Cleveland Brothers and other emergency partners. Make sure to keep your representative’s contact info handy in case of questions or if you need rental solutions quick
3. Share with your team.
Once you create an emergency plan, it’s important to routinely discuss the details so everyone has a clear understanding of expectations. It can be very helpful to assign each person a unique responsibility in crises, such as a designated person to call 911. Additionally, have a backup pinpoint person in case someone isn’t there or able to call. Make the plan accessible to all employees and run through similar emergency scenarios that could occur.
Additionally, routine drills, awareness and education will give your employees the confidence they need to succeed in those dire moments. Acting quickly and swiftly are crucial in any emergency and can save time, money and even lives. You should also know the limitations and capabilities of your building, both internally and externally, like examination rooms, exit routes, accessible fire extinguishers and escape routes.
Emergency Planning Resources that can help you plan
There are many great emergency planning tools and resources available, and it’s crucial to take the time to research and develop a plan custom to you.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers plenty of training and awareness pieces, as well as toolkits which help you assess risks, damages, insurance claims and more.To learn more go to www.fema.gov.
Cleveland Brothers is here to help
Start planning your emergency backup plan today. If you are interested in learning more about generators, our rental fleet and power solutions offered, our experts can help. Call an Electric Power Sales Representative today at 1-866-268-1717 or send us a message.