Business Preparedness

What does Business Preparedness look like?

You need 2 types of Emergency Kit: GO *and* STAY

• a so called Emergency Grab Bag or Crisis Response Kit containing essentials to be used in case of immediate evacuation and
• a Business Contingency Kit to provide supplies for lock-down, invacuation or shelter-in-place

You also need a Business Emergency / Business Continuity Plan

Serious disruption to your business can happen anytime anywhere. 80% of SMEs never recover. A robust business preparedness plan that is practised regularly helps you bounce back faster. It pays to be better prepared. Preparedness is easy: 

How do I build my own Business Emergency Kit?

Don’t just tick the box, think outside it. Check out our FREE BC resources https://t.co/UmSmKu4Ov2 #BizPrepared pic.twitter.com/SZWAduVIwr

— What Would You Do If (@what_would) April 22, 2016

Take a look at Storify for business continuity tips & advice especially for #SmallBusiness #BCAW2016 https://t.co/OstGVuNyQQ

— London Prepared (@LDN_prepared) May 17, 2016

Infographic: top 10 UK #businesscontinuity disasters https://t.co/nGApzBOb2k #BCAW2016 @ITSpecialistsUK pic.twitter.com/84Yjae5qil

— ITS (@ITSpecialistsUK) May 17, 2016

Business Emergency Grab Bag Contents List 
safe evacuation

Broadly, you need to cover minimum four areas to build a Business Emergency Grab Bag as recommended by the authorities. These are:

• information: copy of your  emergency+business continuity plan, contacts list, floorplans, notebook, water resistant document pouches and cases (accessories)
• communication: compact megaphone, phone charger, windup radio, safety whistles, safety lightsticks
• health and safety / site safety: hi viz vest, hazard tape, torch (plus a head torch to keep your hands free), spare keys, emergency food and water 
• first aid: standard first aid  including burn dressings and eye wash, emergency foil blankets

This is a good start that begins to cover the basics.

For more information also see recommended business grab bag contents.

However, you may want to expand on the bare basics to increase your capabilities and capacities in dealing with an emergency.

Many businesses store more than one type of WORKPLACE KIT, i.e. Incident Controller GrabBag,  Grab Bag for Business, Workplace Emergency Packs, Site Evacuation Kits as well as basic kits such as a so called Battle Box or Personal Evacuation Packs. In addition, on site advanced first aid and trauma care increasingly play a role; for examples please see Medical Kits. 

Each business is unique. Only you know what your business needs to be better prepared for an emergency. 

If you don't see exactly what you need to make your business more resilient, simply contact us for a competitive bespoke quotation. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is happy to help. 

Business Contingency Kit Contents List
safe invacuation, lock-down and shelter-in-place

• first aid: basic or advanced first aid, consider wound care, burn care, and eye wash, foil blankets etc.
• light and communication: (wind-up) torches, headtorches and lightsticks, public address, safety warning
• health and safety: personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face masks; site safety i.e. repair tape 
• emergency food and water: for example survival rations or long-shelf life food which needs food preparation and waterpurification; alternatively choose self-heating foods

Again, this is a good start but you need to carefully evaluate just what types of resources you will need for how many people and for how long.

Hygiene is another area to consider as is 'survival equipment'.

Some businesses store emergency food supplies including nutritious self-heating MRE's (meal ready to eat) for their critical support and field staff.

Each business is unique. Only you know what your business needs to be better prepared for an emergency. 

If you don't see exactly what you need to make your business more resilient, simply contact us for a competitive bespoke quotation. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is happy to help.

Business Preparedness also extends to business travel; i.e. car safety kits 

How do I make my own Business Emergency Plan / Business Continuity Plan?

London's small firms urged to plan for impact of major terror attack https://t.co/5hNwzhOypc pic.twitter.com/lFUq5cYi9Q

— Evening Standard (@standardnews) August 12, 2016

Luckily there are a lot of excellent resources and advice available online.

Your local authority has a mandate to provide information with regards to emergency preparedness and business continuity so that is an excellent place to start.

Get in touch with your LRF (local resilience forum). Not only do they hold and update the local risk register that is more relevant to you than perhaps the NRR National Risk Register, they are also able to provide guidance and templates which are a good start to begin tackling Business Continuity and Preparedness if you are new to the subject. 

For additional resources, simply see our directory Ready for Emergencies and our information hub for individuals Emergency Plan. Our Preparedness Blog also has entries under category 'Preparedness for Business' which may be useful. The latest NaCTSO guidance on crowded places Updated (06/2017) which is relevant to businesses such as retail shops, event organisers, transport and the night time economy (NTE) such as pubs, clubs, cinemas, theatres, cafés, restaurants etc. contains extensive advice and basic checklists including one for a crisis response kit.

With regards to emergency kits that are exactly right for your business, remember that if you don't see exactly what you're looking for in our standard workplace kits section check out custom-made emergency kits for more information or simply contact us for a competitive quotation.