Toolkit
Integrate the Plan into Company Operations
Implementation means more than simply exercising the plan during an emergency. It means
acting on recommendations made during the vulnerability analysis, integrating the plan into
company operations, training employees and evaluating the plan.
Emergency planning must become part of the corporate culture. Look for opportunities to build
awareness, train personnel and test procedures. Be sure to involve all levels of management, all
departments and the community in the planning process. Make emergency management part of
what personnel do on a day-to-day basis. Test how completely the plan has been integrated into
your company operations by asking the following questions:
- How well does senior management support the responsibilities outlined in the
plan?
- Have emergency planning concepts been fully incorporated into the facility's
accounting, personnel and financial procedures?
- How can the facility's processes for evaluating employees and defining job
classifications better address emergency management responsibilities?
- Are there opportunities for distributing emergency preparedness information
through corporate newsletters, employee manuals or employee mailings?
- What kinds of safety posters or other visible reminders would be helpful?
- Do personnel know what they should do in an emergency?
- How can all levels of the organization be involved in evaluating and updating the
plan?
Business Interruption Insurance
Most companies discover that they are not properly insured only after they have suffered a loss.
Lack of appropriate insurance can be financially devastating. Ask your insurance advisor the
following questions to determine your individual needs:
- How will my property be valued?
- Does my policy cover the cost of required upgrades to code?
- How much insurance am I required to carry to avoid becoming a co-insurer?
- What perils or causes of loss does my policy cover?
- What are my deductibles?
- What does my policy require me to do in the e vent of a loss?
- What types of records and documentation will my insurance company want to
see?
- To what extent am I covered for loss due to interruption of power? Is coverage
provided for both on- and off-premises power interruption?
- Am I covered for lost income in the event of business interruption because of a
loss? Do I have enough coverage? For how long is coverage provided? How long is
my coverage for lost income if my business is closed by order of a civil authority?
- To what extent am I covered for reduced income due to customers' not all
immediately coming back once the business reopens?
- How will my emergency management program affect my rates?
Conduct Drills and Exercises
Conduct periodic drills and exercises to ensure emergency preparedness that involve community
responders. After each training activity, review what worked and what needs improvement.
Involve both personnel and community responders in the evaluation process.
Training can take many forms, including those listed below:
- Orientation and education sessions: These are regularly scheduled discussion
sessions to provide information, answer questions and identify needs and
concerns.
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