Protecting Your Business This Winter Weather Season

Transcription

1 Protecting Your Business This Winter Weather Season Fred Schmude, StormWatch Manager, ImpactWeather Mark Norton, Senior Continuity Manager, Agility Recovery Today s session will be recorded. Links to the archived recording will be ed to all registrants automatically tomorrow. For copies of the slides presented during today s session, please visit: For Audio: (1) Listen through PC speakers, OR (2) Dial and use access code

2 Winter Weather Season Outlook Fred Schmude, ImpactWeather Detailed analysis of the ocean water trends Projected mean storm track for this winter season Forecast temperature and precipitation trends for this winter season Main hazard weather trends projected for this winter season Preparing your Business for the Winter Weather Season Mark Norton, Agility Recovery The Risks to Business Planning: Before, During & After the Storm ZERO HOUR: When a major storm is eminent Common Mistakes during Winter Storm Disasters Additional Resources Agenda For Audio: (1) Listen through PC speakers, OR (2) Dial and use access code

3 BS in Geology from Texas Tech BS in Meteorology from Texas A&M Joined ImpactWeather s parent company in 1990 Currently the StormWatch Manager Specializes in hurricane forecasting, severe thunderstorms, winter weather monitoring and forecasting, and long range monthly and seasonal forecasting Fred Schmude StormWatch Manager

4 Winter Weather Season Outlook Detailed analysis of the ocean water trends Projected mean storm track for this winter season Forecast temperature and precipitation trends for this winter season Main hazard weather trends projected for this winter season Weather Forecast Agenda

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28 Preparing your Business for the Winter Weather Season The Risks to Business Planning: Before, During & After the Storm ZERO HOUR: When a major storm is eminent Common Mistakes during Winter Storm Disasters Additional Resources Mark Norton Senior Continuity Manager

29 Power Loss Communications Disruption Supply Chain Disruption Property Damage Employee Illness or Injury Transportation Interruption Automobile/other transportation accidents Exhaustion, Hypothermia, and heart attacks Fires Floods Common Winter Storm Risks To Business

30 Planning: Before the Storm Planning Elements: Check your Insurance Coverage Determine your greatest risk potential: loss of heat, frozen pipes, loss of access due to snow/ice Identify who is responsible for clearing snow/ice accumulation (business owner or landlord) Establish procedure for restoring electrical service on an item byitem basis (know your electrical load demands ahead of time!) Determine if alternate access to your business is needed in the event of inclement weather Establish an inclement weather attendance policy for employees Meet with and discuss winter weather preparedness with your key vendors Fill the gas tanks of any critical business vehicles Before the Storm

31 Planning: Before the Storm Planning Elements: Stockpile emergency supplies as needed Be sure to include rock salt (or kitty litter), sand, and snow removal equipment Service generators & top off fuel reserves Ensure all battery powered devices have new batteries or crank/solar chargers Inspect and service heating equipment Establish shelter locations on your property for employees and stockpile supplies Know ahead of time what local broadcasters will publish the status of your business to the public Ensure redundant communications channels (phone lists including home # s & relatives/spouses, backup address, etc.) Establish remote access to your corporate website in order to update visitors as to your company s status Before the Storm

32 Planning: During the Storm Stay Informed & Communicate Regularly Watch for rapidly changing weather conditions Locate heaters, snow blowers, generators and cold weather equipment should it be needed Ensure employee & customer safety and well being Stay indoors as much as possible Work periodically to keep driveways, walkways and doorways clear of snow and ice Let faucets drip in order to keep water flowing in the event of extreme, prolonged cold temperatures During a Storm

33 Planning: During the Storm Keep the contact information for your heating contractor, plumber, fire department, insurance agent and building owner accessible If your office will be vacant for long periods of time, assign someone to check indoor temperatures Never use a gas powered generator indoors or in a garage Do not store gasoline indoors where fumes could ignite Do not overload circuits in your facility with space heaters and other large appliances Conserve fuel, if necessary Locate water, power and gas shut off locations Locate your emergency weather radio During a Storm

34 Planning: After the Storm Avoid driving until conditions are safe to do so Inspect the safety of your facility before returning. Be sure to check for: downed power lines, heavy snow/ice accumulation on the roof icy areas on drive and walkways frozen plumbing fixtures and pipes Notify all critical people of the next steps, based on any potential damage Update local media and your customers of the status of your business After a Storm

35 Ignoring the Warnings Being unprepared for long term power and communications outages Unprepared for generator connection (no transfer switch, no spider box, no fuel provider, and no knowledge of load requirements) Failure to prepare for supply chain disruptions Failure to adequately stock emergency supplies Failure to communicate adequately with customers & employees Failure to obtain adequate insurance coverage for loss of use, loss of revenue, and added expense Failure to establish emergency procedures and providers for call forwarding, temporary power, communications provider, etc. Common Mistakes During Winter Storm Disasters

36 Follow the Plan (Be clear & decisive and trust the plan) Stay informed on the storm s status (don t get surprised) Collect Emergency Supplies Early (fill fuel tanks) Alert 3 rd Party Crisis Response Providers Enact Emergency Plans for Employees Review your Evacuation and Shelter in Place Plans Coordinate/Share with Others Review your Crisis Communication Plan Prepare for Utility & Supply Disruptions (Short & Long Term) Power, Voice & Internet Communications, Water, Fuel, Food Secure Facilities, Buildings and Inventories Don t be complacent during downtime (losses can mount quickly) BE PREPARED TO SELF SUSTAIN FOR 72 HOURS OR MORE ZERO Hour: When a Storm is Eminent

37 Planning: Before the Storm 1. Assess your risk both internally and externally. 2. Assess your critical business functions. 3. Prepare your supply chain. 4. Create an emergency management plan. 5. Back up your data. 6. Create a crisis communication plan. 7. Assemble an emergency kit. 8. Review your insurance coverage. 9. Plan for an alternate location. 10. Test your plan. For 10 Steps to Preparedness in detail, visit and view the recorded webinar. 10 Key Steps to Preparedness

38 Detailed Preparedness and Recovery Checklists: Additional Resources

39 American Red Cross Winter Storm Checklist: ess/winterstorms.pdf Additional Resources

40 NOAA Winter Storm Preparedness Guide: inter/resources/winter_storms2 008.pdf Additional Resources

41 FEMA Official Winter Weather Preparedness Information: NOAA Winter Storms & Extreme Cold: Winter Storms & Your Business (a preparedness checklist): Stormsand Your Business.pdf Additional Resources

42 Questions? Fred Schmude, StormWatch Manager, ImpactWeather Mark Norton, VP & General Manager, Agility Recovery Today s session has been recorded. Links to the archived recording will be ed to all registrants automatically tomorrow afternoon. For copies of the slides presented during today s session, please visit: