Waypoint Insurance - Risk & Business Magazine Waypoint Risk & Business Magazine 2018 | Page 29

NATURAL DISASTERS
BY: NEESJA LEGER,
WAYPOINT INSURANCE
“It might be helpful if you photograph or
record your company’s electronic devices
and equipment, furniture layout, receipts,
and other items in your office.”
• Procedures and training for the
designated medical team
• Team leaders responsible for direct
contact with emergency response
services
Review your emergency plan annually
to assess organizational changes or
environmental concerns. Testing your
plan ahead of time is the best way of
protecting your business so you know
what gaps might exist. Critical functions
would include servers, internet, PCs/
workstations, phones, security, water, gas,
and electricity. Your disaster recovery
team should include the building manager,
IT department, human resource manager,
top management, and important clients.
WHEN AN
EVACUATION
TAKES PLACE,
PEOPLE MAY
TRY GATHERING
IMPORTANT
ITEMS BEFORE
LEAVING THE
BUILDING THAT
COULD DELAY A
TIMELY AND SAFE
EVACUATION.
Include in your emergency action plan a
“Go Bag” list for your employees to refer
to, listing the following items:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cell phone and charger
Laptop and charger
Personal medications
Wallet with credit cards
Flash drives with critical documents
and information
Office phone roster
Car, house, and office keys
CREATE A CRISIS COMMUNICATION
PLAN
Your employees should know how to
communicate with each other and with
the designated emergency coordinators
in case of a closing or crisis, including
hour changes and re-openings.
Determine the mode of communication
to be used, whether it is email, text,
landlines, cell phones, walkie-talkies,
or multiple methods. Set up a public
hotline your employees can call to get
information or use an online social
networking platform such as Facebook,
Twitter, or LinkedIn where they can log
in with a password and get updates.
BACK UP YOUR ELECTRONIC DATA
Set up an IT data recovery plan to
protect and recover your records and
information:
•
Identify what equipment and
machinery is essential to your
business
• Back up data and move all paper
records to the cloud
• Save records to disc or flash drives
and store in an off-site location
• Arrange an off-site location to
operate your computer system if
evacuated
According to FEMA, the most
important method of assuring your
organization’s recovery from disaster
is putting your employees’ well-being
at the top of the list. Your continued
success relies on their loyalty and
stamina, so consider professional
counseling, rest, and recreation
following an emergency event.
PreparedBC has planning and recovery
resourc es on its website to help
businesses prepare ahead of time.
Planning and communication are the
key to disaster preparation. +
Neesja Leger works with the Courtenay
Waypoint commercial team, helping
businesses – big and small – navigate the
complex world of commercial insurance.
Her clients recommend her to their peers
because of her responsiveness, practicality,
and wit. Neesja understands your time
is valuable and she works to make your
experience with Waypoint a positive
one. Contact Neesja, or any one of our
Waypoint Specialists at 310-8442 or visit
us online at waypointinsurance.ca.
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