by KayDee Gilkey
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No one can predict when disaster or an emergency will strike. However, farmers, ranchers and other business owners can be prepared for possible disruptions by creating a business continuity plan.
KR Catlin, Homeland Security Planner for the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management, explains some of the pieces of a standard Continuity of Operations Plan (or COOP).
"The things to look for in your COOP plan is to train family or employees on a regular basis about what to do during a disaster or emergency. Acquiring and maintaining needed safety equipment and emergency supplies that you would need for your family or to keep your operation going. Showing your family or employees how to be prepared at work and at home so they are better equipped to help the farm respond and recover from an emergency or disaster. You need to Identify the key assets, people, or resources that if lost would shut your operation down; and then plan on how to eliminate some of that risk if they are lost. Also you need to conduct and assess regular evaluations by just sitting down with family/ employees and asking, 'what would you do?' to determine the readiness of your farm or facilities."
Catlin stresses it is important to consider your region and what type of disasters would most likely impact your business and then plan accordingly. A free online resource www.readyrating.org is designed to help interested businesses develop COOP plans.
Click on the play button to listen to report.
Download Report: NWFR01-03-12COOPweb.mp3
