If You Had to Evacuate your Business- What Would you Need in One Bag?

If You Had to Evacuate your Business- What Would you Need in One Bag?

6 Simple Ideas to Protect your Business in an Emergency

6 Simple Ideas to Protect your Business in an EmergencyBy Steven Hull & Julie Moore

Phones, Websites, Media Communications:

• Know how to forward the business phone elsewhere (other office, cell phones, etc.) If not answered by a human, your calls should go to an answering machine so they are not lost.
• Answering machine message(s) should be updated each day during the emergency so customers and vendors see you are actively working on the problem and have not gone out of business (even if you are not able to return every call immediately). 
• Know how to update and change your website. Have a prepared email and email list to send out to update your clients, vendors and employees (separate messages and lists, of course) with what is going on. Explain to your clients that you are still in business and working to resolve the problems and appreciate their support during this temporary issue.

 Using your Plan, Making Things Happen

•  During a business emergency, the company must start doing things to either help the business stay open or return to operations as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the insurance company has completed inspections; and don't just send everyone home without a plan or a way to contact them. 
• Pre-plan or create a “Crisis Team” of employees and management to get things done during the emergency. Avoid the reaction of sending everyone home and coming back the following Monday to hear what the emergency plan will be. Many of your employees can do great things and come up with fantastic solutions to changing problems if you band together to solve the problem. 

Working with your Neighbors

• If the emergency involves more than just your business, see if you can band together to share resources, trucks, signage, etc. and ideas to help get back in business faster and reduce damage and downtime for everyone. I have even seen competitors help each other out and build better ties as a result. 

Power and Lighting

• For short power problems, Universal Power Supply (UPS) units can keep your phones, registers, and computers working for the first few hours of a outage. Using portable, low-power lighting can make things safe for your employees and customers. These items can be also very low cost. Planning to reduce your power use is key to extending the hours you are open. For instance, switching over to using your Laptop connected to your UPS will extend the computing time to continue work, ringing in sales, communicating with customers from 1-2 to  6-8  hours or more. (Have the software you would need, pre-installed in the laptop and tested, in case it is needed.)
   
• Plugging in things like power converters to cars and trucks, car cellphone chargers, portable generators (outside only) with good extension cords to your UPS units will keep many items running still power is restored or until your plan “B” is ready. (Read safety and power directions before the emergency to avoid blowing fuses.)

Leadership is More than Bossing People Around 

• During emergencies and disasters of different lengths, everyone builds up stress and many will overwork themselves. Motivate your staff and managers. Praise the work that is being done to stay open or get back open faster.
• Longer hours means making sure you and your people take breaks, get extra snacks and fluids (sorry no alcohol), and time to sleep.  Inject a little fun from time to time as you see fit to lighten the mood.
   
• You will see the employees that go the extra mile.  Don’t forget to reward them when things calm down. This problem could transform your business and staff for the better and help you pass your competitors in the same situation.
• Understand that some employees don't share your passion to help your business survive and will abandon you.  This comes with the territory; expect that some will leave and return only when asked or do the bare minimum.

Danger is our Business? 

• In emergencies, people sometimes confuse coming up with a creative solution to opting for a dangerous solution because, “after all it’s an emergency!”  Don’t climb down the outside of a building when you could just walk down a stairwell. 
• Although you are working to save your business, it's absolutely critical to obey police lines and emergency worker's directions.  If you or your co-workers are told to evacuate the building, do so without hesitation.  Don't re-enter a condemned building.  These rules are there for your protection and no one at this time can afford to have an employee injured or killed.
  
•  In evaluating the solution, imagine what the successful outcome should be 3-6 hours from now and if you think this idea can get you there. On a big task hours later, if the idea is really not getting you any closer to your goal, it is OK to try stop and try something else.

 There is No Perfect Plan, but you have to Start Somewhere!

• Business interruptions, and emergencies come in all sizes shapes and durations. Implement your contingency plans, motive and educate your employees for the possibility of business problems. When a problem begins activate your plans as early as possible to have maximum   flexibility and options available to you.  Stay objective and realize that unforeseen problems will come up that you had not thought about. You need to stay flexible and do the best do can as the event evolves. With a little forethought you probably will be doing much better than you think you are at the time.
   
•  When an event happens, remember to make a few notes as you go along of things to fix for next time, resources you could have had and questions you can't get answers to. Use these notes to revise your company plans to be better prepared for next time.  Yes, there will be a next time.

SafetyStore.com Sponsoring Amazing Historic Bike Fundraiser

SafetyStore.com is pleased to be an official Sponsor for Stephan Challenge. Remarkably 5 years after Mark Stephan was injured in a cycling accident with a potentially life-ending head/spinal injury as a quadriplegic, he has made such a strong recovery that he will be attempting to ride a bike across the country. An epic ride across America by a man and a story you will not soon forget. SafetyStore.com will be supplying customized first aid kits and systems, emergency support, other items tailored to this 3,129 mile, 75 day trip.

SafetyStore.com was contacted by Lincoln Baker, Project Manager for the Stephan Challenge with a request for general first aid supplies that might be needed for a cross-country bike trip. The ride will involve a combination of Mark Stephan (the main rider), ride support volunteers, able-bodied and disabled cyclists biking from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, Fl. SafetyStore will provide as much specialty safety assistance and supplies as needed along the historic journey. Our company is no stranger to unique safety and emergency challenges as the company started as a disaster consulting firm providing safety training, hazard reduction training and drills to companies and non-profits. The founders already had extensive experience with diverse emergencies and iconic outdoor events of up to one million people.

When the Internet came along, our clients kept suggesting that we sell safety and emergency response products, so in late 1995 SafetyStore.com was born. Since that time, we have received international recognition as a pioneer in the area of first aid, emergency response and disaster preparedness. We have supplied first aid kits for average families and medical kits for war-torn areas and disasters around the World including Iraq, Bosnia, Hurricane Katrina and many more. Our clients know that they can call our experts directly even after hours to provide assistance when needed most. “We welcome the challenge and appreciate the opportunity and know we make a difference” said Steve Hull, Co-Founder “…we never know what the next request will be when we pick up the phone. When we were contacted for the Stephan Challenge, we knew our experience and products would help”

Here is our plan for this event: Donated and loaned supplies for the Stephan Challenge. "When planning for any large outdoor event, we like to put ourselves in the position of the participants (both the logistical support and riders) and theorize the possible injuries that could occur from start to finish. This helps event planners think about accident prevention as part of the overall event. For the Stephan Challenge, our company will be creating tailored emergency kits that will work as a system to respond to different levels."

* General Care: including the comfort items for normal aches, pains, blister prevention etc. These items reduce discomfort and insure that emergency first aid kits are not used as medicine cabinets.

* First Response First Aid Kits located in vehicles: For a full range of injuries on the road including things like cuts, burns or eye care. As the mobile event will hundreds of miles of remote roads far from quick medical assistance, comprehensive emergency first aid kits are a must for the group as well as discovering a roadside emergency.

* Advanced Emergency Medical Kit for use in the unlikely event of a large accident requiring EMT skills or above until local emergency responders can arrive. For this event we are including an emergency oxygen kit, additional supplies for immobilization and long-term care. A welcome addition to our customized advanced response kit, one of our premier vendors Defibtec is also lending an Lifeline AED. for the duration of the trip to help insure participants and spectators are as safe as possible.

* We will also be providing safety banners and other items as needed to aide visibility during rain, fog or other weather conditions.

Additionally, we have made ourselves available 24/7 by phone and email to help handle questions or actual emergencies during the event. "Having access to someone that can provide an expert opinion or action steps to resolve a problem is valuable. Being able to place a phone call and start wheels in motion in the middle of the night is what we do" , said Julie Moore For more information about our company please feel free to call (888) 723-3897

First Responder First Aid / Trauma Kit from AllThingsfirstaid.com

Our Websites

While most people know us for our flagship website SafetyStore.com, many people don't know that we have created and maintain a several other websites. Check out our list below.

• SafetyStore.com The one that started it all back in late 1995 when we are told that there were less than 100,000 commercial websites in the World.
• AllThingsFirstAid.com Specializing in first aid, medical equipment, emergency response and medical apparel
• FirstAidKits.biz:  Again specialized in first aid, and first aid supplies. A wide selection of empty first aid boxes and soft packs
• Medpins.com supplying nursing and medical label pins, fire uniform pins and citations and EMS uniform pins and citations. We have pins for first aid, racks  CERT and other groups We also make beautiful custom pins for schools and and departments.
• MedPatches.com We offer embroidered patches for fire, ambulance, first aid, medical, search and rescue, CERT, Medical Reserve Corps and many more. many of the designs were designed by us in response to our customers. We of course will also make custom high quality patches for your group.
• TheSafetyStore.com  We took over this website that originally was based in Alaska.
• TheSafetyMarketPlace.com designed for business and industry We feature emergency response products for business and business recovery. 

We have a growing list of business related websites to help small businesses grow and be more successful. 

• IcepackUSA.com this is our newest site. It is a wholesale only site featuring completely US made instant ice packs, install hot packs, and reusable gel packs at great prices for the small first aid kit suppler.
• HttpBrands.com Because so many start ups and companies have asked us over the years about the internet and how to get started, we have began with this site.  We will also be offering packages that we have created that can help existing website "get found" and pull in the links and traffic to start making money. We don't offer "get rich quick" or "get to #1 on the internet" while draining you check book. We do offer the practical advice, low cost - but high return steps that can finally get to site making money though small business friendly packages.

Emergency Preparedness Basics: Hurricane Season Evacuation

Well, it's hurricane season again this year. Oh my how the time flies. Seems like only weeks ago we were sheltering people from massive snow storms and winter flooding.  While states and the federal government are trying to control and plan for the effects of  hurricanes hitting the oil disaster, what are you and your family doing to plan for hurricane, flood and/or tornado damage this season?

We will be breaking up this discussion into several articles. The first is a major issue that comes up each year I think only because it's interesting television. Some people decide to resist common sense and want to stay in the face of an evacuation. People come up with a variety of myths that they use to justify the concept of staying with their home after voluntary and even mandatory notices to evacuate.

Here are a list of the most popular bad reasons to stay in your home when ordered to evacuate:

"I can stay and try to prevent damage from the storm by staying."

Fact: In a Level 1 hurricane force winds of 72 miles per hour, the wind is putting about 1 lb. of pressure per square inch on the side of your house. Think of an average house being 40 foot long (480") and 11 feet tall (132") that's about 63,360 lbs (or 31 tons) of pressure pushing and shoving on the the front of your house for hours. The average man can push back about 200 lbs for a few minutes. Does anyone want to add in the weight of water pounding on the building from rain, flooding or tidal surge?  Oh, that's right - you and your small children will be fighting these titanic forces without power for electric tools, pumps or light.
 
Answer: try to protect your home as best to can before you leave. 

• Move low items higher
• Move loose items indoors (meaning anything not bolted into concrete)
• Cover interior items with plastic, 
• If possible, cover windows and exterior doors with pre-cut plywood or storm shutters.
• Try to seal doors from leaking if you can.
• Take digital pictures, gather important documents
• Lock your doors and turn on the alarm system.
• Leave with your evacuation supplies and follow the directions of emergency workers

"I am told my home went through a big storm back in 19XX so it should be just fine for whatever storm hits us now."

Fact: Every storm is different. The winds come from different directions. the flood waters are higher or lower. Your building is older and may have dryrot, termites, foundation damage or other maintenance issues that weaken a building. And here's a big one - maybe your house didn't come out OK. After big storms a lot of repair work is done. Many times the contractor or homeowner does the cheapest repair job possible but makes it look as cosmetically nice as they can so that the home is livable and/or ready to sell. It is interesting during remodels or other repair work to discover how often old damage from years gone by is found. The old home owner is not going to disclose all the damage that was done - they want to sell the home for as much as possible. Two or three owners later, it is easy to understand how a myth could develop that while others' homes and/or neighborhoods were damaged or destroyed THIS  HOUSE was untouched in the storm/flood, etc. from decades ago. This gives a false sense of security that can fuel the idea to stay.

"As THE MAN, shouldn't I stay and protect my home? That's what I see on TV and movies."
 
This is an emotional issue for many people. Let me ask the question this way. As the head of the house isn't it your job to protect you family from harm and not gamble your loved ones' lives?  Staying in an unsafe area when there are safe areas away from the potential disaster just doesn't make sense.

"What about looting of my home if I am away?"

While people talk about looting, actual looting in disaster areas is quite low. It is also much easier for law enforcement to police an area where they know no one is supposed to be there. It makes it much easier to catch crooks.

"We can always leave if it get's REALLY bad."

This is not a TV movie. If you do stay (over the objection of emergency authorities), it may become too late  to leave when you feel you are in danger.  Roads can become impassable quickly with downed trees, bridges, mud slides, sink wholes, downed electrical wires, flooding, etc. There is a great possibility that you and/or your family could be killed by the disaster. This is why evacuations are planned -  to give people the time they need to get out of harm's way.

If an attempt to rescue you by the fire or rescue dept (past the evacuation deadline) is made, you are putting about 50-100 rescuers lives in danger (Police, Fire, Ambulance,  Helicopter crews, utility crew, tow truck operators, swift water rescue team, etc.). The training and equipment involved to rescue you from your house (or car when it gets stuck) may not be available.  Many emergency agencies are now choosing to protect the lives of there rescuers and not respond until after the danger has passed. Unfortunately, several rescue workers die each year in a effort to rescue people who could have made a better decision and avoided danger altogether.

Not even Superman can protect a home from a storm by staying in the home.  So bottom line- leave when advised on radio or TV before someone has to go door-to door to convince you.


** Next - "What Hurricane supplies you should have.."