Emergency Planning
As a business owner, you can minimize the consequences of a disaster by preparing in advance for the threats in your area. Every business should have some type of written emergency plan with copies kept at various locations off premise. It should be evaluated on a regular basis and shared with all employees. Thorough plans will include a Chain of Command, evacuation route(s), a binder containing phone lists with emergency services/contacts/suppliers, a grid layout of the utility and water lines, alternate work location, etc.
To ensure any plan is carried out efficiently, it's best to simulate some probable emergencies by conducting practice drills. Possibly better than any seminar or video, these simulations may prepare your workers for any unforeseen problems. There is some excellent free information provided by the Department of Homeland Security at the website: www.ready.gov. There you can find an emergency plan template to fill out, or you can update or evaluate the plan you do have.
The threats you prepare for may depend on your geographic location, but some are nationwide (especially if you consider the risks today from a terrorist attack). Many business owners in areas prone to earthquakes, hurricanes or floods have already had to develop emergency plans out of necessity. Of course fire is a universal danger, whether it is a wildfire or a fire that starts in one of your buildings (are all your fire extinguishers mounted and inspected?). All regions of the country may experience severe thunderstorms with lightning that could result in power loss and possibly isolate the campground due to flooded roads or downed trees. A good emergency plan will provide a contingency should your main (and in some cases only) road is blocked.
The Department of Homeland Security website lists a host of threats that could be a result of terrorism including: nuclear threat, radiation threat, chemical threat, biological threat and some type of pandemic such as influenza. There are basic instructions provided for each incident. The important thing for preparing for these types of threats is having a survival kit on hand. There are lists for items to include in any survival kit and first aid kit. Homeland Security recommends keeping a supply of non-perishable food and water (a gallon per person per day) for at least three days. Of course you'll need to decide if you stock up for your family and staff, or if you prepare for all the potential guests that could be at your facility at one time (this does seem like a large burden, but if you have a campground store it's as simple as keeping some more stock on hand).
Extra prescription medicine and pet food may also be items necessary for your kit. It's good to have flashlights (the non battery operated ones that you shake or crank are more reliable) and a battery operated radio with extra batteries. Also, simple items such as filter masks and duct tape with sheeting are recommended. These will be very valuable if you need to travel outside through contaminated air or if you need to 'shelter-in-place' by covering all windows, doors and vents to prevent air from getting into the building.
You should also consider talking with your insurance producer to make sure your buildings are covered sufficiently and you have enough (or any) business interruption coverage (25% of small businesses that close because of fires, floods or other disasters never reopen, according to the Institute for Business & Home Safety in Tampa, FL). (Note: Although flood can be devastating - most insurance policies will not cover business income because flood is not a covered cause of loss, even if there was a civil evacuation).
So take the time to prepare for the emergency situations which seem to be occurring on a more regular basis these days. Some of these simple, inexpensive measures will ease the stress and burden that come with a catastrophe and prepare your business to continue and prosper long into the future.