Washington Business Spring 2017 | Washington Business | Page 45

7. take steps to protect vital records Storing backup files at an offsite location will help in case of a disaster, said Phillips, ensuring files are easily accessible and organized in case of an emergency. “The very first place business owners should go is their insurance company. People need to know what coverage they have.” — Lucianne Phillips, Private Sector and Tribal Liaison, FEMA Region 10 8. develop and test emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place plans Knowing where to go, how to get there and who to contact will lower tension when a business owner is faced with an emergency. “When you think of emergency management — what does that entail?” is a question George asked after her experience. “I think that’s a question every business owner needs to ask themselves.” after the fire: small steps paid big dividends After the fire and sprinkler flood, George spent the next three days on her phone with various local connections she had made throughout the years. Close ties with city planners helped with permits and relationships with nearby electricians who could construct a new electric panel helped speed the restaurant’s rehabilitation process. Her business was closed just two-and-a-half days, missing St. Patrick’s Day, a quick turnaround according to Phillips. “That quick of turnaround usually doesn’t happen. Some businesses would have been closed for months if that were to happen,” she said. All-in-all, the fire cost George approximately $25,000, including loss of business during the brief closure. Insurance covered a portion of the cost. Allen said that George’s situation is a good example of how a small, non-formal planning style can have major impacts on the resilience of someone’s business. “Having those baseline preparations will help business owners for those less common things as well as the worst-case scenario. Having some preliminary and basic plans will help them know what their priorities need to be and the steps they need to take to Business Preparedness open their doors as soon bit.ly/BizEmergencyPrep as possible,” he said. Survey bit.ly/EmergencyPrepSurvey Leadership Washington is the premier development program for the next generation of Washington state business leaders. This nine-month program, set in seven different regions across the state, exposes tomorrow’s leaders to an array of industries and the political landscape in Washington state. Graduates are strong, articulate, informed leaders who will guide businesses in a globally competitive economy. Applications for Class of 2018 due June 1, 2017! Learn more and download an application at AWBInstitute.org/Leadership Contact Jackie Riley to discuss the program further! [email protected] or 360-943-1600 Sponsorship opportunities also available!