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Is Your Business Prepared?
Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh has issued the following recommendations for businesses:
- Have lists of all employees, key customers and clients, suppliers, shippers, and vendors - along with their phone numbers, email addresses and physical addresses
- Secure insurance policies, agent contact information, vital business records such as bank account and tax records in a waterproof, fireproof, portable container
- Back up computerized records and protect the backup copy / ensure the electronic data back-up is on a portable hard-drive or stored at a remote location
- Take equipment, computer software / hardware, and furniture inventories
- Relocate expensive equipment to floors 3-7 where possible or move it to the most heavily constructed interior area of the facility - in areas which could be subject to surge flooding, move equipment to floors above the possible surge level
- Cover vulnerable equipment which cannot be moved with plastic sheeting to minimize damage in the event of roof leaks or broken windows
- Move all merchandise, equipment, stock, etc. that is on floors that could flood to pallets or shelves, to protect them from flooding
- Compile a list of emergency vendors, such as plumbers and restoration contractors
- Make copies of essential business policies, plans, and agreements
- Take photographs of the business and equipment, both inside and out, to help with insurance claims
- Prepare for a possible loss of utilities by having battery-powered lights, a battery-powered radio, a supply of potable water, and if possible, an emergency generator
Also, please review the following documents created by the City's Office of Emergency Management:
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