Invest in Preparedness

Introduction

Business preparedness is essential to response and recovery efforts. Simple steps taken before a disaster strikes can make a positive difference later, for businesses, employees, and their communities. The resources below will help you and your business begin to plan and prepare for a disaster in your area.

We welcome suggestions for the Portal! If you find a good preparedness tool, please email it to citizencorps@dhs.gov.

We encourage the use of websites that are accessible to people with access and functional needs. For guidance on creating Section 508 compliant online materials refer to the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards. For further information on emergency management and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please review this webinar from the Citizen Corps Community Preparedness Webinar Series.

Disclaimer
The resources listed here are purely for reference, are from publicly available sources, and intended to provide preparedness guidance, tools, and publications. FEMA does not necessarily endorse the views expressed or the facts presented on any linked external, third-party website. Nor does FEMA endorse any non-Federal government entity, service, or organization including but not limited to any commercial products.

Standards

Programs

Ready Business from Ready.gov, affiliated with FEMA
Prepare My Business from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Agility Recovery Solutions
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Pandemic Preparedness for Business (CDC)
Meta-Leadership Summit for Preparedness (CDC Foundation)
Prepare Your Workplace & Employees from the American Red Cross
Safety at Work from the National Safety Council

Exercises

National Level Exercise Self-Directed Tabletop 2011

Non-Profit Associations and Other Programs with Resources for Business Continuity Professionals and Practice

Programs Sponsored by State Governments

Be Ready Alabama
Florida
Ready Georgia
KSReady
Missouri (Pandemic information for businesses)
Be Ready Utah
Washington

Relevant Webinars and Research

These business-related webinars from Citizen Corps' Community Preparedness Webinar Series may provide useful information as well:

Financial Emergency Preparedness - May 3, 2011
Resources for Business Preparedness - Sept 13, 2010
National Financial Literacy Month: Operation HOPE and Emergency Financial Preparedness - April 1, 2010

Citizen Preparedness Review Issue 7: Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Planning Patterns and Findings from Current Research (Winter 2011)

Citizen Preparedness Review Issue 7 provides a summary of publicly available survey data on disaster preparedness and business continuity planning conducted between September 11, 2001, and November 2009.

Citizen Preparedness Review Issue 7 (24-page PDF)

Citizen Preparedness Surveys Database

The Citizen Preparedness Surveys Database is a compilation of research conducted since September 11, 2001 on personal and business preparedness. This database is used to assess trends in research and trends in preparedness throughout the nation. If you are aware of relevant survey that is not included in this database, please contact citizencorps@dhs.gov.

Citizen Corps Database Narrative Overview (PDF)
Citizen Preparedness Surveys Database (PDF)

Public Readiness Index

The Council for Excellence in Government has created a Public Readiness Index (PRI) to help individuals, families and communities measure their Readiness Quotient (RQ). Find out how other Americans measured up and check your own RQ.

Public Readiness Index (27-page PDF)

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Citizen Corps