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Blown out of business

Companies that fail to plan often don't reopen after disaster hits

Editor's note: The following story first appeared in the Dayton Daily News in 2003.

It should seem evident: Don't put off planning for a tornado, flood or other disaster until the day after it happens.

But some businesses do precisely that, and they do so at their own peril, experts say.

As many as 40 percent of small businesses closed by a tornado or other disaster remain shuttered after the event, according to the American Red Cross. These same businesses had no disaster plans or backup systems in place, the organization says.

Since 1999, tornadoes in Xenia, Van Wert and northeastern Cincinnati have killed at least nine and injured dozens more. They also leveled homes and businesses, leaving millions of dollars in damage.

During the November 2002 twister in Van Wert, early warnings prevented tragedy at a movie theater, where two of five cinemas in a steel shell building were destroyed by the tornado.

Emergency officials were able to warn the theater's staff 20 minutes before the storm struck, giving workers time to move patrons to a safe portion in the building. No one was injured.

Detailed disaster plans and quick action by employees, experts agree, provide the best defense against tornadoes and other calamities.

Frank Clay, professor of fire science technology at Sinclair Community College and a veteran firefighter, said plans should cover such information as evacuation procedures and emergency contact information.

He also cautions against writing, then ignoring such documents. Organizations should regularly update plans so they accurately reflect such changes as employee turnover and alterations to buildings.

Managers also need to communicate disaster procedures, such as tornado protocol, with all employees, experts agree.

Companies should drill workers on tornado safety procedures at least once a year during tornado season, said Fran O'Shaughnessy, director of emergency services for the Dayton Chapter of the American Red Cross. In addition, businesses should keep on hand emergency items, such as flashlights, battery-powered radios, water and first-aid kits, she said.

"One thing we hope everybody has is a weather-alert radio," she said.

Available through electronics and other retailers, weather radios are critical for businesses because employees usually aren't listening to other sources of weather information such as televisions and radio, she said.

Employees also should know where to gather during tornadoes, whether it's a basement or a windowless room, she said. Corridors with openings at each end should be avoided because tornadoes can create dangerous vacuums in them, she said.

The American Red Cross offers a business and industry guide for disaster preparedness through its Web site (www.redcross.org). Companies also can order them from the Dayton Red Cross chapter by calling 222-6711.

For businesses and other organizations, disaster planning often doesn't have to focus on a specific threat, such as tornadoes or floods, said Jeff Corcoran, manager of emergency services for the University of Cincinnati's Department of Public Safety.

Instead, business owners can implement what Corcoran calls an "all-hazards plan," one that addresses such issues as employee and customer safety, evacuation procedures and data systems backup, regardless of the problem. If you're prepared for a pipe bursting in the office, you'll likely also be able to handle weather emergencies, he said.

The size and complexity of a business also factor into emergency preparedness, he said. A business such as a retailer, for example, that serves the public needs to care not only for employees, but also customers, he said. Such organizations also need to consider variables such as how to handle evacuations of disabled persons and minors, he said.

Federal and state agencies often mandate certain disaster-preparedness standards for such facilities as hospitals, day-care centers and concert halls, he said. Other businesses fall under worker-safety regulations set by the federal government.

But even if a business doesn't face regulatory requirements to prepare for tornadoes, it may face pressure from its insurance carrier to do so, Corcoran said.

The Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks have put the issue of disaster planning to the fore for business owners, university officials and others, he said.

"There's a lot more interest," he said. "Unfortunately, that's what drives us, when bad things happen."