Because a natural disaster or another type of emergency situation can strike your business without any warning, it's important that you be proactive. This means you should already have an emergency response plan that your company can employ during a crisis. But what exactly is an emergency response plan and what does it entail? Here's what you need to know about creating an emergency plan for your business.
An emergency response plan is a set of detailed instructions and guidelines that your business will follow during and immediately after an emergency situation. While your emergency response plan can involve any details you find important for your company, every plan, regardless of the type of business you run, should include plans for the following: evacuation, crisis communication, and business operations continuity.
First and foremost, your emergency response plan should explain what to do if your staff and customers need to be evacuated from your building. Your plan should cover which exits to take, actual evacuation procedures, where to meet following the evacuation, and how to ensure that no one is left behind. Once your evacuation protocols are set, make sure your employees practice them several times so they know what to do during a real evacuation.
Your emergency response plan should also discuss how you will handle company communications with your staff, clients, partners, suppliers, and other relevant parties. One of the best ways to manage communications immediately following an emergency is by assigning a different spokesperson to deal with each relevant party. Through your spokespeople, you can disseminate important company information for each group. This system will keep the lines of communication open and organized; reducing the chances of time-wasting miscommunications and other issues.
Finally, your emergency response plan should also explain what your company will do to handle delays in business operations. You should have a plan for meeting deadlines and fulfilling the terms of your current business contracts. Additionally, your plan should also include strategies for preserving business relationships in the event that you cannot meet a deadline or default on a contract.
These are some of the components that your business's emergency response plan must include. Want another way to take care of your business? Make sure you have the right commercial insurance protections in place. For assistance with your business's insurance needs, contact the experts at John E. Peakes Insurance Agency. We are ready to get you covered today.
