Every September, National Preparedness Month (NPM)

Every September, National Preparedness Month (NPM) reminds us of the importance of disaster planning for families, communities, and businesses. In 2023, the focus is on “Preparing for Older Adults.” Disasters can strike in various forms, and their financial toll can be staggering. Being prepared is the key to a swift recovery and ensuring business continuity in the face of adversity.

Step 1: Assess Your Risk

Understanding the unique vulnerabilities and weaknesses of your business is crucial. Identifying the most likely disasters that could affect your operations allows for faster recovery. Conducting a self-assessment tailored to your business can help you evaluate risks, including hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, and cyberattacks.

Step 2: Create a Customized Plan

Your response plan is your roadmap to recovery. It should be customized to your business’s specific needs and priorities, ensuring easy accessibility. Utilize checklists and online toolkits to assist in plan development. Consider resources such as the IRS guide on disaster preparedness for businesses and FEMA’s emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit. Focus on addressing disasters that pose realistic risks to your small business.

• Hurricanes: Utilize checklists and safety tips.
• Tornadoes: Refer to checklists and safety guidelines.
• Wildfires: Find checklists and safety recommendations.
• Floods: Access checklists and safety tips.
• Hail: Consult checklists.
• Cyber Security: Develop a plan with security measures.

Step 3: Execute Your Plan

Practicing your plan with your staff ensures readiness when a disaster strikes. Regular drills and training sessions are essential for effective implementation.

Get Financial Assistance After a Disaster

In the aftermath of a disaster, you may be eligible for low-interest disaster recovery loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans cover repair and replacement costs for damaged real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment, inventory, and business assets. Explore the available loans:

• Home and Property Disaster Loans
• Economic Injury Loans
• Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Submit your SBA disaster loan application promptly and consider discussing an increase in your physical damage loan for mitigation purposes. The application is cost-free, and you’re not obligated to accept the loan if approved.

Advice and Training

For emergency toolkits and guidance, visit ready.gov/business or reach out to the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. If you have a hearing or speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Additionally, FEMA’s Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs (OPEN) offers self-guided training designed to empower small business owners with the skills to identify risks, locate resources, and take preparedness actions.

Mitigation Assistance

Learn how to fortify your home or business against future disasters and discover how rebuilding stronger is an achievable goal.

National Preparedness Month reminds us that being prepared is not just a one-time effort; it’s a continuous commitment to safeguarding our businesses and communities. By assessing risks, creating tailored plans, and executing them effectively, we can minimize the impact of disasters and ensure a resilient future for our businesses. Don’t wait for the unexpected—start preparing today.

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