Small Business Owners: 4 Steps To Take When The Terrorist Threat Rises

As a small business owner, do you know what to do if Homeland Security raises the terrorist threat level to red? In the event of a terrorist attack during your business's operational hours, your safety and the safety of your employees may depend largely on how prepared you are to deal with disaster. If you receive word that the country is under high threat of terrorism, here are three things you should do immediately at your workplace.

1. Update Employee Information

It's crucial that you know who your employees would want contacted if they're injured in a terrorist attack or who they'd wish to notify that they've survived an attack and are doing okay. It's equally important that you know about any special medical requirements your employees might have so you can meet those needs to the best of your ability should you all have to shelter in place. If the terrorism alert status is raised to red, immediately make sure all personal information related to your employees is current and up-to-date.

2. Broadcast The Emergency Exit Plan

If you have 10 or fewer employees, you aren't required by OSHA to post a printed version of emergency escape routes -- you can just review the escape plan orally. However, in the event of disaster, some of your employees may be too upset or overwhelmed to remember what you've told them. Don't make them rely on their memory alone to get out of the building fast should they need to; print out several copies of your emergency escape plan and distribute them throughout your workplace. 

3. Stock Up On Supplies

If you and your employees are forced to shelter in place, you'll want to make sure that you have a few basic necessities. Dedicate a corner of your office as a terrorist attack preparedness area and fill it with jugs of water, canned foods (don't forget a can opener), a battery-powered radio, and some flashlights. While supplying these goods will cost a bit of money, they may save lives and you can always store them away for the next high-risk time period if you don't end up using them. It's also perfectly acceptable to ask your employees to pitch in by bringing some non-perishable goods from home.

4. Get Security

Not all small businesses have security officers on patrol during operational hours, but they should when the terrorist threat is in the red. Contact an anti-terrorist security firm to see if you can hire a few guards to patrol your business until the threat level goes back down. Be forewarned, though, that security officers will be in high demand at times of high terrorist risk, so if you can't secure guards for your workplace, ask if they have a consulting agent you can speak with. The consulting agent can help you define weak spots in your business and how to deal with them.

As a small business owner, you want to keep yourself and your employees safe in the event of a terrorist attack. If National Security raises the threat level to red, take the above 4 steps right away. Contact a business, such as Security Services Northwest, Inc, for more information. 


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