"Being struck by disaster, natural or man-made, often spells the end of many small businesses, according to the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, but that doesn't have to be the case.
Preparing businesses to deal with disasters, or other types of adversity such as the loss of a top executive, is the aim of the state's new homeland security Web site, www.protectyourbusiness.ky.gov. An offshoot of a similar site for household preparedness in case of a terrorist attack or natural disaster, protectyourbusiness.ky. gov has the hopes of keeping the commonwealth's economy stable in the aftermath of an emergency.
"It's absolutely essential to the economic vitality of this state to ensure that after an emergency of any sort occurs that businesses can either keep running or get back on their feet quickly," said Homeland Security spokesman Jason Keller.
According to Keller, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says 40 percent of small businesses fail to reopen following a disaster. "That just shows the need for something of this sort," he added.
The Web site provides links to the national Homeland site as well as downloadable brochures on how to make a kit for emergencies and design a plan for what needs to happen following an incident for both home and business.
To help prepare Kentucky businesses for the worst, the state Homeland Security office will hold a series of seminars around the state. Open to business leaders, local officials and first responders, the Lexington summit, slated for Oct. 24 from 1-4 p.m. at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College will feature presentations from Jim Cobb, a U.S. Homeland Security official who acts as Kentucky's Protective Security Advisor, according to Keller. Along with large businesses making presentations, Kentucky Departments of Emergency Management, Public Health and Homeland Security will present. While the full agenda has not been settled on for the Lexington summit, Keller said his department will have presentations to help companies with cyber security and to give more information on the Protect Your Business initiative.
According to Keller, the lessons that stand to be learned by those in attendance at one of the six summits around the state or those who visit the Web site can help reverse some disconcerting statistics on emergency preparedness. While 92 percent of small businesses said it was very or somewhat important to take steps to prepare for emergencies, only 39 percent said they had a continuity plan, and 59 percent said they thought they were prepared for an emergency.
Simple steps can be taken by companies to help prepare in time of need, such as enabling two-way communication between the company and employees in the event of an emergency and having emergency supplies on hand such as a weather radio, bottled water, and a first-aid kit. Employees should also be encouraged to leave a supply of their necessary medication at the office in case they are unable to leave for a sustained amount of time. In addition, they should tell others of any medical condition they have that might need to be tended to in case of an emergency.
Those interested in attending the summit can visit www.protectyourbusiness.ky.gov to sign up."