Disasters may strike at any time, usually with little or no warning. In our region, we could experience earthquakes, floods, storms, volcanic activity, severe weather, hazardous material releases, and other emergencies.
BE PREPARED
Information on Disaster Preparedness for the Auburn Area Business Community
Auburn Emergency Management Resources
City of Auburn Emergency Management: https://www.auburnwa.gov/city_hall/emergency_preparedness
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuburnEM/
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuburnWA_EM
· Email: [email protected]
· Phone: 253-876-1925
When it comes to disasters, something can be done to reduce the impacts to your business. Small businesses and private sector infrastructure owners can limit employee injuries and property damages and return more quickly to normal operations if they plan ahead. To start this process, we recommend preparing for the following hazards (which have been identified as either likely, significantly hazardous with historical precedent, or both):
· Flooding
o Flooding insurance for businesses: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1476976979997-7726027265c3cff4170713d8b3bb482c/FEMA_HFIAA_BusinessOwnerFS_072516.pdf
· Extreme Weather (such as windstorms, winter storms, or heat waves)
· Pandemic Influenza [https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/emergency-preparedness/preparing-yourself/pandemic-flu/businesses.aspx]
o Pandemic Influenza Planning for Businesses Video: https://vimeo.com/48042619
o Covid-19 Planning for Business: http://www.auburnareawa.org/uploads/25/covid-planning-for-businesses.pdf
· Hazardous Material Incidents
o Online training Links: https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-907
o Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0
Preparing your business is an ongoing process with many financial and social benefits, and not just when a disaster strikes! Although disaster preparedness and planning will look different for each unique business, it will typically entail the following steps:
1) Creating a culture of preparedness at home and at work. Encourage people to put together an emergency survival kit.
2) Encourage employees to get disaster preparedness training [Auburn EM training schedule – classes are free]
3) Encourage employees to sign up for Emergency Alerts [https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF0D5C5CC09C]
4) Create a business-specific “all-hazards” emergency response plan.
5) Practice your plan regularly.
Here are the benefits of having a disaster prepared business according to profitableventure.com:
1) Increases the likelihood of business survival after a disaster
2) Helps your business gain market edge
3) Sets recovery priorities
4) Boosts staff morale
5) Fosters better communication
6) Helps you control premiums
7) Increases business value
8) Serves as a negotiation tool
9) Guarantees your income
10) Gives you peace of mind
Disaster Preparedness for the Business Community
https://www.fema.gov/small-businesses
https://www.ready.gov/business
https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/emergency-management/preparedness/business.aspx
https://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/preparedness/businesses
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/business.html
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/resources-documents/collections/357
Business Planning Tools
· Risk Assessment & Planning: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1389015304392-877968832e918982635147890260624d/Business_RiskAssessmentTable_2014.pdf
· Continuity of Operations Planning: https://www.ready.gov/business-continuity-planning-suite
· Evacuation Planning: https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Fire/Safety/WorkplaceEmergencyPlanEvacuation.pdf
Recovering from a Disaster
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index
https://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/preparedness/businesses#Recovery
Online Training
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-394.a
https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-325
Feel like you have resources or services to offer the broader community during a major disaster? If your business is interested in being a part of the broader community disaster response, please email or call the City of Auburn Emergency Management to learn more about the City’s Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD) program.
