Prepare your workplace

Businesses are an important part of our community. If our businesses are prepared with a current business continuity plan, the impacts of a disaster on the local economy will be lessened. Statistics show that businesses not open within a few days following a disaster have a much higher chance of going out of business permanently compared to those who have planned and prepared. Staying in business after a disaster will be key to making a full recovery.  Community based organizations also provide vital services that residents rely on. Keeping these services available is critical to successful community recovery. It is also important that workplaces have the appropriate plans and procedures in place to keep employees and customers safe during an emergency.  

OEM's Workplace Preparedness Guide provides important tips on developing life safety procedures and business continuity strategies. The guide includes easy to follow tip sheets, links to videos and planning tools, and fillable forms for documenting important contact information and continuity strategies.

Download Workplace Preparedness Guide PDF with Fillable Forms

The Seattle Office of Emergency Management provides free training on Workplace Preparedness. You can request a training for your workplace by filling out our online request form.

Other Resources

The Insurance Institute for Business Safety has a great web site with a free toolkit and training videos to help small businesses develop business disaster and recovery plans. http://www.disastersafety.org/open-for-business/ 

FEMA's Ready Business program provides a series of useful resources: www.ready.gov/business.