How to Prepare Your Business for a Natural Disaster or Emergency

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If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it reminded us that our businesses MUST be prepared for any natural disaster or emergency. Without a good disaster response plan, you may find yourself scrambling to keep your business afloat and keep employees and customers safe and happy.

In this blog, we discuss the 5 basic steps of emergency preparedness in business:

  1. Built a disaster preparedness team.
  2. Assess your unique risks.
  3. Create your emergency response plan.
  4. Prepare your lines of communication.
  5. Test & review disaster protocols.

Build a Disaster Preparedness Team

First, assemble a disaster response team. Decide who within your company should be involved in the emergency planning process.

The kind of work your team tackles will fall into the following four categories:

  1. Risk assessment
  2. Planning & implementation 
  3. Communications
  4. Training & review

Assess Your Unique Risks

First, consider the different types of natural disasters and emergencies your business might face. Emergencies to think about include – but are not limited to…

  • Fires and explosions
  • Floods and hurricanes
  • Earthquakes, tornados, and mudslides
  • Icy conditions or snowstorms
  • Wildfires
  • Severe weather situations
  • Natural disasters
  • Infectious event response and risk mitigation
  • Lighting strikes and power surges
  • Utility failure
  • Biohazards
  • Acts of terrorism or civic unrest
  • Cyberattacks or phishing

Depending on the location and nature of your business, certain disasters will be more likely.

For example, if your facility is in a warm coastal area, you can expect a risk of hurricanes and flooding. However, you’ll unlikely face any snowstorms or wildfires.

Or say your company relies heavily on computer programs or data for day-to-day operations. Preparing for cyberattacks and phishing attempts is going to be more important to you than it may be for other companies that don’t handle tons of data.

As you evaluate your business’ vulnerability to each kind of emergency, think about the potential hazards and impacts on your facility and business operations.

Consider the following questions:

  • How might the event create an unsafe environment for employees and customers?
  • Which critical assets (i.e. servers, computer hard drives, filing cabinets, products, machinery, etc.) do you need to protect?
  • What sort of lost or delayed sales and income can you expect?
  • How long could the disaster disrupt production or service?
  • Will there be any extra costs to maintain business operations during the disaster recovery period?
  • How might the emergency cause customer dissatisfaction?
  • Will the event create any delays to business development plans?

Create Your Emergency Response Plan

Once you have a good idea of the disaster risks your business faces, you can start working up official emergency response plans for each risk.

  • Think about the steps that need to be taken to ensure the immediate safety of personnel and customers.
  • Devise a Business Continuity Plan to ensure your business is able to resume operation quickly in the event of an emergency or disaster.
  • Install a dependable security and alert system.
  • Make sure you have essential emergency resources – i.e. backup equipment and systems, basic emergency supplies, and alternative sources of power, light, and communication.
  • Schedule routine drills and training exercises with company employees.
  • Back up important data and programs.
  • Protect critical business records in a safe that is resistant to fire, heat, and burglary.
  • Secure equipment and furniture – i.e. machinery, cabinets, and computers.
  • Determine how you will educate staff about emergency plans and personal protection techniques.
  • Decide on a chain of command for plan implementation.
  • Create policies for employees who are directly impacted by a disaster.
  • Establish other critical policies – pertaining to absences, pay, and more!

Once you have created your emergency plans, send it to all the appropriate company personnel. And post it somewhere physically and/or online where they can easily access it for later reference.

Prepare Your Lines of Communication

Your plans are in place! Now you need to solidify your communication plans.

Keep current phone numbers for your suppliers, utility companies, local media, emergency personnel (i.e. fire, hospital, ambulance, and police), and disaster relief agencies on hand.

If an emergency arises, which key decision makers within your organization will you call first?

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, clear communication will keep personnel and customers safe. Then, effective company-wide cooperation will help keep your business running as smoothly as possible.

To avoid major hiccups, discuss emergency plans with all the appropriate people BEFORE disaster strikes.

If you work with clients, patients, or other stakeholders, you’ll need a roadmap for contacting them in the event of an emergency. Transparent communication amid a crisis displays professionalism and reliability.

Test & Review Disaster Protocols

To keep your emergency protocols up-to-date and reliable, conduct regular testing of your disaster response plan.

That means…

  • Holding routine practice drills
  • Requiring personnel to undergo emergency training exercises and workshops
  • Maintaining emergency supplies and equipment
  • Evaluating your plan from time to time for potential improvement
  • And incorporating new knowledge and modern technology

KFM 24/7 | Disaster Preparedness & Response

With the proper planning and review, your business will be ready to respond calmly in the face of a natural disaster or emergency. However, ironing out all the details of your disaster response plan can be a daunting task.

That’s where WE come in!

KFM 24/7 has the experience and expertise to guide you through commercial natural disaster and emergency planning process. We can do things like…

  • Determine the disasters and emergencies most likely to impact your business.
  • Provide a thorough assessment of your facility and available emergency resources.
  • Help you develop a disaster response plan.
  • Offer rapid response to minimize damage to your facility.
  • And more!

Learn more about our disaster preparedness and response services.

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Two facility maintenance workers inside corporate facility.

What is Facility Maintenance? And Who Needs It?

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Although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many companies and facilities, research shows that consumers still want to shop at brick and mortar locations. People are attending in-person events, such as movies and concerts, children are in schools, and people still choose to eat out at restaurants.

The upkeep of these businesses’ physical locations is critical to success. From unexpected electrical outages to plumbing and HVAC issues, prompt resolutions are essential. Natural disasters and social unrest may also require emergency protocols to secure facilities, including glass doors and windows. 

Facility maintenance solution companies, such as KFM 24/7, strive to ensure that your facilities operate smoothly and undeterred at all times. They provide cost-effective, client-centric solutions to give you peace of mind, even in the face of unforeseen circumstances.

In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into facility maintenance and what businesses would benefit from it.

What is facility maintenance?

Facility maintenance, also known as FM, is the upkeep of a commercial facility to ensure that it functions properly and runs smoothly. It encompasses everything from plumbing, electrical, and flooring services, to large-scale functions such as ADA compliance and disaster preparedness. 

Regular servicing and maintenance of capital assets, both inside and outside of facilities, is crucial for preventing potential damage. This is where KFM 24/7 comes in – we are here to help with all of your facility needs or emergencies, any time of the day or night.

Keeping your capital assets in good working condition is essential to ensure the smooth operation of your business. Regular maintenance can help prevent breakdowns, which can cause costly downtime and even lead to safety hazards for employees and customers.

What are the benefits of facility maintenance?

Maintaining your commercial facility should be a top priority for any corporation. Not only does it help to ensure the smooth operation of your business, but it also offers numerous benefits, such as reduced overall costs, useful technology, and a professional image.

Let’s dive into some of these benefits and how they can help your facility.

  • Reducing Overall Costs

Reducing overall costs with facility maintenance is a goal for us at KFM 24/7. Hiring a facility maintenance company can help you avoid the costly and disruptive results of neglected maintenance. No matter how well-maintained your facility is, an occasional emergency is likely to happen. With our expertise and 24/7 emergency service, we can ensure that your facility is regularly serviced and any problems are promptly fixed.

By implementing both preventative and reactive maintenance procedures, we can help keep your facility running smoothly and efficiently, minimizing the risk of extra costs.

  • Advanced Technology

At KFM 24/7, we leverage state-of-the-art technology to deliver efficient and effective facility maintenance services. Our Facility Maintenance Integrated app allows you to report issues and dispatch support with ease, ensuring that our technicians arrive at your facility promptly. You can also access detailed reports on your facility’s maintenance history, track your budget and expenses, and make informed decisions about future maintenance needs.

With our technology-driven approach, you can streamline your facility management processes, save time and money, and focus on what matters most – your business.

  • Professional Image

Your facility is often the first impression clients and customers have of your business. A clean and well-maintained facility conveys professionalism and attention to detail, making a positive impact on your clients and enhancing their overall experience. On the other hand, a poorly maintained facility can undermine your credibility and make it challenging to attract and retain clients.

At KFM 24/7, we understand the value of a professional image and offer a range of facility maintenance services to help you achieve and maintain it. From routine cleaning and maintenance to emergency repairs, our team of experts can help you create a welcoming and professional environment that will impress your clients and leave a lasting impression.

Who needs facility maintenance services?

All commercial facilities benefit from facility maintenance services to ensure smooth operations and prevent potential emergencies.

No matter the kind of facility you own and operate, it’s crucial to ensure that all aspects of your facility are running smoothly. With proper maintenance, you can minimize the risk of potential emergencies and unexpected downtime that can disrupt your business operations.

At KFM 24/7, we serve a wide range of industries, including:

  • Retail stores and malls
  • Supermarkets and grocery stores
  • Financial centers, like banks, credit unions, and investment companies
  • Care centers, such as rehabilitation and daycare centers
  • Automotive centers and gas stations
  • Building and construction manufacturing
  • Residential complexes
  • Healthcare centers
  • Restaurants and fast-food chains

Whether you need general facility maintenance or a full remodel of your facility, KFM 24/7 is here to help. With over 22 years of experience and 50K+ sites maintained nationwide, we have the experience and knowledge to advance your facility strategy.

KFM 24/7 | YOUR Partner for Facility Solutions.

Thinking of getting your facility maintenance under control? Reach out to get set up with a dedicated account manager TODAY! Give us a call at 1-800-323-2807 or fill out a contact form to get started.