Prepare Employees

Determine the roles of employees:

• Who implements the plan?
• Who's responsible for checking physical office location and determining the safety of the space?
• Who speaks with and monitors the media?
  
• When should the plan be implemented and by whom?
• What policies are in place for remote access/work?
• Is there an alternate location/CAT van should you be in an area prone to disaster?
• Who will monitor closures and safety?

Establish employee expectations during a disaster:

• Publish clear and concise guidelines for employee communication.
• Establish minimum expectations of work attendance in advance.

Organization tree:

• Have employee contact information and communication process in place.
• Utilize text/email services to communicate closers or alternate plans.
  

Prepare the Office

Prepare to minimize damage:

• Identify areas most vulnerable to damage from a catastrophe (wind, rain, fire, rising water) and take steps to minimize damage, such as: shutters or pre-cut plywood sections for windows, sandbags around doorways, moving equipment to interior portions of the office, fire suppression, etc.  
  
• Identify equipment, furniture, records, and supplies that could be in a safer location and be prepared to elevate items off the floor should water rise. Note that 3 ft is the recommended height for computer servers and other equipment to prevent water and fire damage.  
  
• If your office will be evacuated, smaller items can go on the desk or in safe interior spaces like restrooms.
• Should time permit, be prepared to move items offsite to secure out of town storage or other locations. Additionally, be prepared to rent temporary office space or work remotely if needed.

Power, Phone and Internet

• Include contact information for power, phone and internet companies should you need to check on service.
• Determine minimum power needs to support customers: the number of servers, computers, phone systems, lights, printers, etc. Calculate and include the amp drain from multiple power strips. Use generator wattage calculators available online and via the ACT Disaster Planning website to ensure you have accurately estimated needs.
  
• Research back-up power supplies like generators and alternative telecom solutions like hotspots. Once implemented, test often.
  
• Document the process for using back-ups and review regularly with staff.
• Determine if there is a need for alternate call center service: CSR24, Insights, Centratel, etc.
• Resources:
  Energy.gov:  Choosing the Right Backup Generator
  Simple drag-and-drop generator wattage calculator
  

Emergency Supplies:

• Have emergency supplies onsite including flashlights and batteries, chargers, first aid, blankets, rain gear, bottled water, and non-perishable food items.

Alternate Locations

• Have a written agreement and a clear process for alternative business locations (home offices, CAT vans, offsite locations)
• Set standards for back-up power (generators or UPS) and telecom solutions (fiber, landline, cell phone, wireless hotspot) for home offices or alternate locations  
• Consider Hot and Cold sites and develop a test CAT process
• Resources:
  
• Hot and Cold Sites for Data Recovery
• Hot and Cold Sites in Disaster Recovery Planning

Does your agency need a CAT vehicle? 

• Is there a need for a trailer or van and is it in the budget?
• What equipment would your CAT location need post-catastrophe (fuel, equipment, supplies)
• Develop a deployment process and keep staff educated on the process (Where should it go? How do you notify clients?)
• If it needs to be replaced, where will you find a replacement? 
  

Prepare with Your Carriers

• Publish and establish guidelines for sharing customer data with vendors, carriers, and partnerships.
• Contacts: Prepare a listing of carriers including contact information and the type of assistance provided and maintain the inventory as part of your disaster plan. 
• CAT education: Work with carriers to educate agents of claims process and procedures within their organization, especially special disaster claims reporting procedures. Agencies should make themselves familiar with the CAT claims process and procedures for each of their carriers.
• Claims and adjuster process: Work with your carriers to understand their standardized process for transmission of claims reports from the adjuster in the field to the examiner in the carrier's office during a CAT.  This is meant to help to expedite the settlement with the customer.
• Emergency Payment: If possible the carrier should provide emergency draft authority to agency or provide ATM cards for the agency to distribute or for the adjuster to have available as needed.
• Claims Reporting: Have up-to-date claims information (searchable by client name) available online, and it should contain adjuster name, contact info, and status of the claim. Stress test claims system for extreme volume prior to the impact of an event.
• Materials and Labor: Ensure you are aware of resources available in your area, and through vendors in general.
  

Prepare to Communicate

Contacts: 

• Create a contact list and telephone/contact tree process. This should include staff, vendors, service providers, carriers and clients. 
• Employees:  Develop a written guide so that employees are aware of and educated on their specific responsibilities and review the process often. 
• Customers:  Include disaster preparedness tips on your website and explain how your clients can work with you during disasters. 
• Be prepared to communicate with clients via your agency-customer portal, social media, email or AMS and website from any location. 

Systems: 

• Have a combination of alternative communications systems in place such as landlines, VOIP, cell/satellite service, redundant Internet access.
• Phone: Identify staff cell/satellite phones that could be used in an emergency. Know how to reroute phone numbers to another location (VOIP).
• Internet: Ensure multiple ways to access and communicate via your agency website, social media, and email via desktop and available mobile devices.

Website: 

• Host your website with a reputable vendor that offers uptime guarantees. 
• Ensure agency staff can edit website content, at and away from the office. 
• CRITICAL: Your website needs to be mobile-friendly to meet the needs of people whose landlines are cut, or who are displaced by disasters. 

Follow the news: 

• Check with local and state associations for pertinent services and news. regulations for safety.
• If there is a known catastrophe, state EOC's may set up local insurance villages. Reach out to your state association in advance if these are predefined

Sample Disaster Plans and Resources: 

Sample disaster plans:

• How to Create a Disaster Plan for your Small Business
  
• FEMA; Comprehensive Preparedness Guide/Needs Assessment 
  
• Ready.gov   - Official disaster planning website of the US government