Winter is coming, are your operations ready? We ask because according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states, 40% of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) never reopen after being hit by a natural disaster — plus an additional 25% reopen but tend to fail in less than 12 months. Basically, almost two-thirds of businesses affected by natural disasters like winter storms, blizzards, bomb cyclones and other severe winter weather no longer exist a year later. Without a comprehensive preparedness plan that details everything from risk factors to which turnkey solutions you’ll be needing to survive, you can (and statistically will) cripple your business.
To help your business thrive and run even safer, faster and better than before, planning critically and entrusting plug-and-play relief solutions can make or break your business’ future when those potentially disastrous days come. A critical solution that has successfully served countless business and government operations with stability through the toughest conditions has been these three essentials.
- A comprehensive and adaptable winter base camp setup
- Versatile full-service mobile facilities
- And dependable expertise with the knowhow to pivot quickly
In this blog, we’re doing a quick rundown of how to use these three core elements for a preparedness plan that will help keep your business thriving through this winter, and beyond.
The Adaptable Winter Base Camp
An adaptable winter base camp should be included in your preparedness plans for operating while in the face of severe winter weather conditions. By including critical assets like all-weather industrial tents to protect both people and equipment your plan will be set up for success. When designing your setup, don’t forget to account for lighting sources and climate-control systems as well as potable water and power generation. Whether you are using your tents to store equipment, house patients, or hold classes, the people and the contents inside your industrial tents will be warm and comfortable with the option to have a customized HVAC system — allowing for your tent to remain comfortable inside no matter what the temperature is outside.
Mobile Facilities Keeping Operations Fully Operational
To adequately provide for your people, you should have food, water, and sleeping arrangements on your base camp. Additionally, full-service restrooms, showers and laundry trailers will help your workforce maintain their hygiene — and their sanity. Be sure that your preparedness plan includes mobile lodging (sleeper trailers) for crews to rest in and structures for food preparation as well as service. This way, your workers can care for their needs and continue to help resolve the aftermath of disasters more effectively.
Preparedness Expertise That Works For You
The right preparedness partner should be willing to go above and beyond and provide tried and true service quality. You need someone who will take care of everything so there won’t be anything left undone when it comes down to it being done right — even if it means working overtime or around the clock. To find such a team, your partner should have…
1. A proven track record. The right team knows what common issues arise during disasters such as power outages or flooding; by having an expert team at hand you won’t have any unexpected surprises when things go awry (which is always better than being surprised).
2. Expertise in your field. The right team is knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to different industries and specialties. They can offer you advice on how to handle specific problems, so you don’t have to worry about what the next step should be — they already know where to go from there.
3. Availability and flexibility. A good team will look at situations from all angles and come up with innovative and creative solutions that may not have been previously considered or thought of.
The Winter Preparedness Checklist
Sometimes what a business currently has in their preparedness plan is outdated and isn’t cutting it anymore. As natural disasters get worse and technology improves, getting the right solutions for your operational needs is critical now more than ever.
You’ll want to make sure the turnkey solutions and the expert partner that’s supporting you are as good as you need them to be. With your winter preparedness plan in hand, here are some other helpful pointers to keep in mind:
- 3 Questions to Ask When Planning for Base Camps
- 4 Methods for Managing Inventory with Temporary Structures
- How to Prepare for Disaster Relief Deployments
With all of those tips in mind, you’ll be able to vet and employ the right winter storm prep/recovery partner for your needs without a hitch.
