Dallas County
Homeland Security & Emergency Management
509 Main St. Ste. 305, Dallas, TX 75209 Office 214-653-7980 Fax 214-653-7988

  1. Asses Your Business Needs
    Identify the hazards most likely to affect your business. Dallas County faces a number of natural and man-made hazards, from fires and tornados to power outages and terrorist attacks. Consider the potential impacts of all hazards when developing emergency plans, such as whether your facility is vulnerable to flooding, or how a power outage might affect your company's ability to do business.
  2. Plan to Stay in Business Every business should plan in advance to manage any emergency situation. How quickly your company can get back to business after a fire, flood, or terrorist attack often depends on emergency planning done today.

    DEVELOP A PLAN: Your emergency plan should include details about 1)how your business will restore critical functions (often called a Business Continuity Plan) and 2) how your business will address life safety issues (also known as an Emergency Action Plan). The plan should also include emergency supplies and equipment, as well as outline the roles and responsibilities of key emergency personnel (e.g. how the crisis team would implement the plan).

    EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR EMPLOYEES: Your employees and coworkers are your business's most important and valuable asset. Two-way communication is central before, druing and after a disaster.

    EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT & BUSINESS GO BAG: When preparing for emergency situations, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air, and warmth. Talk to your co-workers about what emergency supplies the company can feasibly provide, if any, and which ones individuals should consider keeping on hand.

    PLANNING TO STAY OR GO: Knowing how and when to evacuate the workplace or shelter in place a key part of your emergency plan. An informed decision to evacuate or shelter-in-place can minimize, if not prevent, injury and damage by adequate planning and foresight.


    COORDINATE WITH OTHERS: Meet with other businesses in your building or industrial complex. Plan to conduct evacuation drills and other emergency exercises together. Talk with first responders, emergency managers, community organizations and utility providers. Plan with your suppliers, shippers, and others you regularly do business with.

    REVIEW PLANS ANNUALLY: Just as your business changes over time, so do your preparedness needs. When you hire new employees or when there are changes in how your company functions, you should update your plans and inform your people.

  3. Talk to Your People
    One of the best methods of assuring your company's recovery is to provide for your co-workers' well-being. Communicate regularly with employees before, during, and after an incident. use newsletters, intranets, staff meetings, and other internal communications tools to communicate emergency plans and procedures.


  4. Protect Your Investment
    in addition to emergency planning and communicating with employees, there are steps you can take to safeguard your company and secure your physical assets.