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How to Create a Proper Emergency Plan for Your Business

We don’t often think about emergencies occurring while we are at work or that we should have a business emergency plan in place. However, most of us spend at least eight hours of our day in our offices – sometimes even more time than we do at home! 

Getting ready for an emergency during business hours requires planning and organization – and not all emergency plans will fit every business. You want to make sure you create the right emergency evacuation plan for your business, one that will work effectively. 

Helpful Hints to Create a Business Emergency Escape Plan

  • Start by preparing for all types of emergencies. This will depend on many different factors, including the type of business you run and where your business is located. If your office is in an area that is prone to severe weather like blizzards or tornadoes, your escape plan will differ drastically from a business that, at worst, experiences high winds or heavy rainfall.
  • Consider the type of business you run. If your business is a technology-based company, you will need to include an emergency plan for your data, software, and hardware. 
  • Take into account the number of employees that you have in your business. If your employee count is below 25, your emergency plan will require different planning than a larger corporation.
  • As a business owner you want to handle everything on your own, however, during an emergency, you must delegate specific tasks to different individuals. It is important to have trustworthy employees that you can trust to handle specific roles. These can include someone to call emergency services all the way to someone who will ensure that all employees are safely out of the building. 
  • Write your plan down and keep it in a central location that is easily accessible to anyone. Adding a section to your employee handbook is a great way to keep all employees in the know. 
  • Practice your plan. Once you have it in place, work through fake emergencies. Adjust your plan as needed when you notice flaws or room for improvement. 

What to Include In Your Emergency Evacuation Plan

A good emergency plan covers all bases but is never finished. It is extremely important to stay flexible and agile, always updating and changing your plan as the need arises.  Your plan should include:

  • A list of all possible emergencies, potential consequences, actions to take regarding the problem, written procedures, and any available resources to assist during the emergency. 
  • A detailed list of all personnel. This includes names, telephone numbers (home and cell), emergency contacts, and responsibilities in the office.
  • Floor plans of the office that clearly mark all areas including work stations, common areas, and exits.

Decide who will handle the following duties and ensure they are ready for the responsibility. You will need someone to:

  • Report the emergency to the proper authorities. 
  • Activate the emergency plan for the office. 
  • Take the lead and make sure everyone is where they need to be and doing what they are supposed to do.
  • Alert the staff and begin evacuation. Once all area outside, ensure that everyone has left the building.
  • Alert management that the employees are safe and that the emergency is under control.

Emergency Restoration Services for Your Commercial Property

While emergencies at your business aren’t common place, even the most prepared organization can suffer from emergencies beyond your control. When disaster strikes, call A&J Property Restoration for commercial restoration needs. Our specialists are available for emergency appointments at any time. We will have your business up and running with minimal loss of productivity. Call us today for more information. 

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