Business Readiness: Is Your Plan On Target?

Frank Bridge is the Director of Workplace Education at the American Red Cross in Bridgeport, CT.

A recent survey conducted by the American Red Cross revealed some startling information about the state of readiness of American businesses:

• One-third of businesses surveyed do not have a business continuity plan in place.
• 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster
• Although 89 percent of those surveyed believe it's important to be prepared, far fewer are ready for an emergency.
• Close to 60% of Americans are wholly unprepared for a disaster of any kind.
• Only 1 in 10 American households has hit the preparedness trifecta: a family emergency plan, an emergency supply kit and training in life-saving first aid and CPR.

No one likes to think about preparing for emergencies or disasters.  And let’s face it, the state of Connecticut does not experience the same type and frequency of disasters as states like Florida, California and any number of Gulf Coast states.  Still, we only have to think back to the Christmas Nor’easter or the Bridgeport tornado to recognize that we, too, are vulnerable to the “big one.”