WRITING THE PLAN

1. Identify Existing Plans and Procedures - Chances are, there are existing plans and procedures which address disaster planning already in existence. It is possible all that is necessary is to pull these documents together into a comprehensive plan. At a minimum, there are probably procedures already incorporated into the business practice which address many of the hazards your company may face. The challenge is bringing this information together, identifying what may be missing or incomplete and writing a clear, concise and viable plan.
2. Support Documents – The committee will need access to any documents that could be needed in an emergency such as:
• Emergency call lists for employees, clients, vendors and suppliers, contractors, insurance agent/companies, emergency response agencies
• Floor plans, Building and site maps that indicate utility shut-offs, water lines, gas lines, electrical cut-offs, electrical sub stations, hazardous materials (including cleaning supplies) storage, sewer lines, fire extinguishers, exits and designated escape routes, assembly areas, and restricted or high security areas.
• Local government plans for community disasters (Evacuation Zones, procedures for re-entry, etc.)
• Insurance information and inventories
• Vital Records (paper and electronic formats, software, data bases) and the procedures for backup and protection
3. Team Members to discuss and complete the (1) Strategic Plan (purpose, goals, objectives and policies), (2) Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment and (2) Mission Essential Functions Table (each department).
4. Use the BCP Template to generate a draft plan
5. Assign each member of the planning team a section to review. Establish specific goals and milestones as well as an appropriate format. Ideally a schedule should be set for:
• First draft,
• Review,
• Second draft,
• Table-top Exercise,
• Review of plan in relation to the exercise,
• Final draft,
• Printing,
• Distribution and
• Training and Testing schedules.
Once the plan is ready for distribution employees will need to be informed about the plan and the scheduled training.