Every business needs to develop, maintain, and practice a viable emergency plan. Your plan should include information on a number of related topics. It should address everything from isolated medical incidents all the way up to widespread disasters.

Think about including the following types of information in your plan:

Types of Hazards

• Fires
• Power outages
• Winter weather
• Hurricanes, storms, and flooding
• Tornadoes
• Extreme heat
• Pandemic influenza
• Hazardous materials
• Bomb threats
• Medical incidents

Strategies for Protecting

• Your workers
• Your physical plant
• Your data
• Your infrastructure

Procedures 

• Communications
• Shelter in place
• Personnel accountability
• Relocation
• Damage assessment
• Restoration and recovery

Requirements

• Employee training
• Annual drills
• Corrective actions

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has resources for businesses to develop emergency plans at its website www.ready.gov/business