5 Essential Elements of a Business Contingency Plan

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Five Key Elements That Should Be Included

A lot goes into ensuring your Etowah, OK, business is successful and thriving. Along with focusing on the crucial elements of daily operations, owners should also plan for the what-ifs. Establishing a contingency plan is a vital element to ensure the safety of everyone on the premises, as well as safeguard the business for an unexpected disaster. While every plan should be developed on an individual basis, below are five key elements that should be included.

1. Account for Everyone
When developing an evacuation plan, the requirements of all employees, customers and emergency responders should be taken into account. That may include considering if any person may require additional assistance due to a disability and how easily will be for responders to access the building.

2. Define Roles
An unexpected event can quickly turn into a chaotic scene. Designating a chain of command is essential to ensuring the situation stays as calm as possible. Specific people should be given specific tasks that they will be responsible for during an emergency. This will reduce confusion and speed up the evacuation process.

3. Training
A contingency plan only works if employees know what to do. Any new employee should be trained on the plan, and training should be conducted throughout the year to ensure everyone remembers what to do. It is also recommended to have occasional drills to see the plan in action and make any necessary tweaks.

4. Data Protection
Protecting people is always the top priority. In this day and age, data may be the second most important thing to protect. If an evacuation becomes necessary, it is often detrimental that a business still be able to access vital information needed for continuity.

5. Include Post-Disaster Plans
Along with ensuring people know what to do during a disaster, it’s also important to know what to expect afterward. Establish protocols to assist employees and the business during recovery.
A contingency plan is an essential component of any successful business. It helps ensure everyone’s safety and establishes protocols for unexpected downtime while a fire and water damage restoration specialist makes repairs.