Catastrophe/Disaster Recovery Planning
Every business should have a written Catastrophe/Disaster Recovery Plan. Insurance is only a financing mechanism to provide funds upon submission of a covered claim. Therefore, sound Risk Management concepts dictate that procedures be drafted and in place prior to a catastrophic event. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Note: Each business is unique and must have a specific plan designed for its individual requirements.
- Identify those perils which may cripple the corporation, such as tornado, flood, fire, extortion, explosions, labor issues, bomb threats, etc.
- Consider the worst case scenario (total destruction)
- Appoint an Emergency Coordinator and Disaster Recovery Committee
- Get input from the fire department, police, civil defense, FEMA, utility companies, OSHA, weather service and Red Cross
- Establish a Communication Plan to notify employees, suppliers, customers
- Make reciprocal production arrangements with a "friendly competitor"
- Off premises back up procedures with customer lists, accounts receivable and inventory
- Create expediting policy to overnight replacement computers, and pre-arrange re-stocking
- Develop a a written Evacuation Plan including diagrams
- Hold periodic training sessions and update procedures no less than annually
- Pre-arrange a special line of credit with your bank
- Distinguish between pre-loss activities and post-loss activities
- Know how to hire security immediately
- Assign duties by department - purchasing, public relations, accounting, etc.
