By Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management
September is National Preparedness Month and the Federal Emergency Management Agency initiative for the week of September 16 is Check Your Coverage! According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 25% of businesses do not reopen after a disaster [1]. Disasters come in all shapes and sizes, something like a broken pipe could cause catastrophic damage to a business. Even a small fire can lead to significant water damage, so this is why we are asking the question: have you checked your insurance coverage lately?
September is National Preparedness Month and the Federal Emergency Management Agency initiative for the week of September 16 is Check Your Coverage! According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 25% of businesses do not reopen after a disaster [1]. Disasters come in all shapes and sizes, something like a broken pipe could cause catastrophic damage to a business. Even a small fire can lead to significant water damage, so this is why we are asking the question: have you checked your insurance coverage lately?
The first step businesses must take to be more prepared is to check your insurance policies and make sure that if your office or workspace becomes inhabitable that you can access your policy information from an alternate location. Often businesses do not store their vital documents in more than one place or are unable access them during an emergency when they are needed most. When you are reviewing your insurance policies, make sure that the threats and hazards you face are covered and that you have enough protection to rebuild your business after a catastrophic event.
To support preparedness with the Arlington County business community the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management (DPSCEM) has kicked off a new Public-Private Partnership initiative to support overall community resilience. This initiative will promote the business community developing resilience as individual businesses and as a part of a larger whole community effort. EmilyJane McLoughlin, the department’s Regional Emergency Management Planner, is spearheading these efforts. She brings continuity planning expertise from her time working with FEMA’s National Continuity Programs Directorate. She explains “the value of this program cannot be understated. Today’s best practice for whole community resilience focuses on ensuring the economic base can stay in business or get back to it quickly.” It is that in mind the program was created.
Remember to check your insurance policies and make sure they are stored in a place that can be accessed if your primary working location is severely damaged. Please email EmilyJane McLoughlin at [email protected] for more information about the Public-Private Partnership initiative.
[1] https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/prepare-emergencies
To support preparedness with the Arlington County business community the Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management (DPSCEM) has kicked off a new Public-Private Partnership initiative to support overall community resilience. This initiative will promote the business community developing resilience as individual businesses and as a part of a larger whole community effort. EmilyJane McLoughlin, the department’s Regional Emergency Management Planner, is spearheading these efforts. She brings continuity planning expertise from her time working with FEMA’s National Continuity Programs Directorate. She explains “the value of this program cannot be understated. Today’s best practice for whole community resilience focuses on ensuring the economic base can stay in business or get back to it quickly.” It is that in mind the program was created.
Remember to check your insurance policies and make sure they are stored in a place that can be accessed if your primary working location is severely damaged. Please email EmilyJane McLoughlin at [email protected] for more information about the Public-Private Partnership initiative.
[1] https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/prepare-emergencies
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