Prepare for disaster, businesses warned

If a disaster strikes, small businesses are particularly vulnerable. And if those small businesses aren’t prepared for the disaster, their very existence may be threatened.

“If a small business doesn’t get back into business within about a week, chances are they won’t ever get back into business,” county disaster and emergency services coordinator Paul Spengler told a crowd of some 40 people Tuesday morning at a workshop on emergency planning for business owners.

Spengler said the planning should focus on four major types of disaster Helena is most likely to confront — earthquake, wildfires, hazardous material release and flooding. Since an earthquake will likely be the most devastating, having a plan in place in the event of a quake will help businesses prepare for disasters of other types, he said.

Representatives from several sectors of the local economy, from state agencies to banks, offices and physical therapy practices, were on hand to learn how to create plans to safeguard their employees and property and help the business stay afloat.

By JOHN HARRINGTON – IR Business Editor

Full Story: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/06/28/montana/a09062806_01.txt