by Debbie Powers, Deputy Coordinator, Arlington County Office of Emergency Management
September is National Preparedness Month. Is your business prepared for any emergency? Are you employees prepared? Are you sure? Now is a good time to think about what your business and employees would do when an emergency arise.
Does your business have a “COOP”? (Not a chicken coop, but a Continuity of Operations Plan). What happens if the building your business is in is not operational for a long period of time? Do you have an alternative way to provide your business services? Do you have a communications plan with your employees that is effective, even when the power is out?
The good news is if your business is prepared for one emergency, it is prepared for any emergency. What changes is how you respond, either shelter in place or evacuate. Be sure to include drills and exercises at least annually to practice your plans.
Having personal items, such as medications, water and a non-perishable snack in a “go bag” are important if you must shelter in place or evacuate. You never know when something will happen on the commute either, so make this part of your plan.
Knowing how to get information in an emergency is critical and there are several ways Arlington businesses and employees can get emergency information. Arlington Alert is free and easy to sign up. Visit www.arlingtonalert.com. There is also “an app for that!” -- Arlington Prepares can be downloaded free. One additional way is via 1700 AM, Arlington/s emergency radio station or by calling 1-415-655-0811 to hear emergency information.
Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management is here to help you prepare your business and employees for emergencies or to assist with drills or exercises. Contact Debbie Powers, via email atdpowers@arlingtonva.us or phone, 703-228-3314 for information on COOP planning, preparedness, or other related topics.
September is National Preparedness Month. Is your business prepared for any emergency? Are you employees prepared? Are you sure? Now is a good time to think about what your business and employees would do when an emergency arise.
Does your business have a “COOP”? (Not a chicken coop, but a Continuity of Operations Plan). What happens if the building your business is in is not operational for a long period of time? Do you have an alternative way to provide your business services? Do you have a communications plan with your employees that is effective, even when the power is out?
The good news is if your business is prepared for one emergency, it is prepared for any emergency. What changes is how you respond, either shelter in place or evacuate. Be sure to include drills and exercises at least annually to practice your plans.
Having personal items, such as medications, water and a non-perishable snack in a “go bag” are important if you must shelter in place or evacuate. You never know when something will happen on the commute either, so make this part of your plan.
Knowing how to get information in an emergency is critical and there are several ways Arlington businesses and employees can get emergency information. Arlington Alert is free and easy to sign up. Visit www.arlingtonalert.com. There is also “an app for that!” -- Arlington Prepares can be downloaded free. One additional way is via 1700 AM, Arlington/s emergency radio station or by calling 1-415-655-0811 to hear emergency information.
Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management is here to help you prepare your business and employees for emergencies or to assist with drills or exercises. Contact Debbie Powers, via email atdpowers@arlingtonva.us or phone, 703-228-3314 for information on COOP planning, preparedness, or other related topics.
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