The first step in emergncy planning is to identify a team of employees that will develop the plan.  The team should include some company leadership, and should have representatives from multiple departments.

A risk analysis involves identifying the risks to the business.  This can be done by contacting the community's Emergency Management Coordinator.  External hazards have most likely already been identified by the community.  The Planning Team should then identify internal risks that the business is vulnerable to.

The goal of a business continuity plan is to keep the business going during an emergency with as little interruption as possible.  This includes the following steps:

• Identify essential business functions and determine how those functions can be maintained in an emergency.
• Determine how the business will continue to pay employees and fulfill other financial obligations during an emergency.
• Develop a plan of succession - if company leadership is incapacitated, who will take over? In larger companies, a plan of succession may be done for every department.
• Use more than one supplier, shipper, etc. if possible.  If companies that your business contracts with are affected by the emergency, then your company will be impacted.  If using more than one supplier is not possible, than at least have a backup that can be used.
• Decide if the company can work from an alternate location if the building is damaged or inaccessible.