This has been the year of earthquakes. Eight powerful earthquakes have rocked Haiti, Chile, Turkey, Indonesia, China, and Japan, leaving hundreds of thousands dead, injured, or homeless.
#1 Brief Staff. Staff should be educated on what to do before, during and after an earthquake – at home, at work or on the road.
#2 Emergency Supplies. Keep enough emergency food, water, heat, lighting and sanitation supplies to last the average number of people on the premises for at least 72 hours.
#3 Assess Building Vulnerability. Make inquiries, meet with engineers or contractors – even if you lease.
#4 Reduce hazards. Contact our office for a free assessment.
#5 Assign Tasks to Staff. Remove uncertainty – assign floor captains, fire captains and more.
#6 Resources. Determine the critical resources of your business and establish backup suppliers from out of town.
#7 Transportation. Roads will be closed. Consider how critical resources will be shipped to you if normal routes are not available.
#8 Vital Records. Identify vital business records and documents and store duplicates off site. Ensure you have a system of backups in place.
#9 Communications. Telephone systems may be disrupted. Consider alternate methods of communication with employees, suppliers, and customers.
#10 Review Insurance. Determine your earthquake insurance needs.
#11 Coordinate Plans. Team up with other building tenants, neighbours and business partners.
#12 Practice. Regularly practice earthquake response and recovery activities.