UO Emergency Management - Protect Your Business & Research

INCOMING ALERTS

Information on Pandemic Influenza & H1N1 Influenza Posted: 11/17/2009 06:04 AM PST

Protect Your Business & Research

How quickly the University can get back to business after a disaster event often depends on emergency planning done today. The university has two areas of economic function: research and business.

According to the 2005 University of Oregon Profile, “the University of Oregon fuels the economic growth of Oregon with research grants and contracts, federal financial aid, out-of-state student spending, private gifts, construction contracts, and intercollegiate and national athletic and cultural events.” In 2004-2005, the University generated $566 million in economic activity in the state. During 2004 - 2005 the university conducted business with nearly 7,664 vendors spending over $127 million.

If a disaster hit this major economic and learning center, the entire community would suffer. As noted in the Building a Disaster-Resistant University Guide (FEMA 2003), “disasters regularly force universities and colleges to suspend their primary activity – the teaching of students. Such closures disrupt the continuity of instruction and limit the ability of the institution to deliver services that students expect.” In addition to disrupting teaching, the economic backbone of the community would be compromised

Business continuity and crisis management can be complex issues depending on the particular department, size and scope of your business or research. However, putting a plan in motion will improve the likelihood that your department and research will survive and recover. The following information is a good start for small- to mid-sized departments, business, and researchers.

Ready Business outlines commonsense measures business owners and managers can take to start getting ready. It provides practical steps and easy-to-use templates to help you plan for your company's future. These recommendations reflect the Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Standard (NFPA 1600) developed by the National Fire Protection Association and endorsed by the American National Standards Institute and the Department of Homeland Security. It also provides useful links to resources providing more detailed business continuity and disaster preparedness information.

Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers a variety of tools in its Open for Business® series for small business owners to both reduce their potential for loss should disaster strike and to reopen quickly should they be forced to close.