Before a Disaster: Preventative Planning

Plan ahead. Preventative approaches are vitally important.

The most important strategy to employ is to have both disaster response and business continuity plans. These plans spell out how you will respond to business disruption and recommence operations quickly. Your insurer or business association may be able to assist. Base your plans on realistic risk scenarios internal and external to your situation.

Risk based plans will also identify preventative and protective strategies that can reduce disaster losses.

A business continuity plan includes:

• Employee advice & support, switchboard scripts
• Customer advice
• Computer backups, customer records and mail lists
• Contractual obligations
• Salvaging damaged stock and records
• Mail and phone diversion
• Banking recovery creditor advice
• File and financial record recovery
• Temporary work sites, relocation
• Security
• Insurance
• Publicity/media

During a Disaster: Activate the Disaster Plan

Activate your disaster response plan. This includes aspects such as:

• Who to call for help
• Who is in charge and for what tasks
• Where employees can shelter or evacuate
• Important telephone numbers
• What important items are saved eg backup files
• Backup power/water/communications
• Advising key staff
• Community assistance

A Disaster will impact your employees, especially those who live in the impact area. You may have to deal with a reduced workforce as personal priorities draw people to their homes and families.

After a Disaster: Business Continuity

After a disaster, put your business continuity plan into action. This includes temporary measures to maintain critical business functions and maps out predetermined restoration and recovery actions.

Professional bodies exist that can salvage valuable items such as papers or computers from damage by water, mud or humidity. Contact your insurer or directory assistance. Some farms have predetermined agistment arrangements, some businesses have invested in duplicated systems or worksites.

Businesses can often assist after disaster in providing critical supplies, transport or shelter. Getting people back to work quickly aids recovery, increases esteem and keeps the local economy moving.

SA's natural disaster relief arrangements provide specific measures for business and primary producers.