Business Continuity
Critical to Community Resilience
BUSINESSES — FROM THE SMALL SHOPS ON MAIN STREET TO GLOBAL CONGLOMERATES — PLAY A CRITICAL
ROLE IN COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT STRONGER BUSINESSES AND STRONGER
COMMUNITIES TRANSLATE INTO STRONGER BOTTOM LINES FOR BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS.
The most effective way to mobilize after
a disaster is to plan ahead. Taking steps
to prevent structural damage and undertaking measures to restore essential business operations fall within the framework
of business continuity planning. This has
long-term implications for a community’s
economy and vitality as it recovers from
an extreme event.
IBHS’ OFB-EZ™ business continuity planning program and other similar programs
recognize that an important corporate
responsibility is to continue providing
goods, services, and jobs following a disaster. However, to achieve the larger goal
of community resilience in preparing for
and responding to disasters, businesses
must reach beyond their own walls and
take a more holistic approach to disaster planning.
employees in making their homes more
disaster-resistant at DisasterSafety.org.
If schools are closed, roads are impassable, or power is out for a long period of
time, employees and customers may be
stranded. Businesses should participate in
planning and zoning activities to help assure that disaster resistance is considered
in the construction and maintenance of
community infrastructure.
While much of the responsibility for community infrastructure lies with governmental entities, experience from a wide
range of events makes it clear that participation by the private sector can help
in the planning process. Businesses can
add management expertise, financial aptitude, and logistical know-how. The reward is a community-wide undertaking
that can reduce the magnitude or duration of any disruption that would adversely affect businesses and citizens alike.
Disaster planning is a collaborative process. The faster a community can return
to normal operations the better it is for
everyone – the local tax bases are preserved, the amount of government financial aid is reduced, and local jobs are
maintained. Communities that work together and plan how to prepare for and
recover from catastrophic events are better places for people to live and work, and
for businesses to survive and thrive.
Damage from a natural disaster is likely to affect commercial establishments,
homes of employees and community
infrastructure. Employees often have to
make choices between their employment responsibilities and personal obligations in the days or weeks following
an extreme event.
One way for businesses to avoid downtime is to help assure that their employees are living in homes that can survive the hazards that pose the greatest
threat to their communities. IBHS has
several resources on its website to guide
FEMA Deputy Administrator Richard
Serino is shown damaged businesses
in Hoboken, New Jersey by Hoboken
Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Disaster Safety Review | 2013 11