Council advises business on surviving disaster

Council officers are touring market town industrial estates in South Norfolk urging business leaders to prepare for potential disasters.

The aim is to ensure businesses survive events ranging from flooding to terrorism.

Jim Bagley, the Council's Emergency Planning Manager said:

"The recent storms have shown why business continuity is not just a buzz phrase, but a matter of survival for a business and the jobs that depend on it.

"We immediately think of storm and flood damage but IT systems failure, fire, a disease outbreak like Pandemic Flu which would hit staff, or disruption to fuel supplies, could shut you down quickly and even permanently. No one should rule out terrorism.

"Every business should have a continuity plan, covering everything from having information back-up systems to being able to contact all your employees fast.

"Even something as simple as having a floor plan somewhere safe that you can give fire teams should be part of your plan."

On Wednesday 7 February, the business continuity road show visits Diss Business Centre, Dark Lane, from 10am to 11am, then Diss Business Park, Sandy Lane, from 11.30 am to 1.30pm and finally Diss Christian Community Church in Vinces Road from 2pm to 4pm.

Diss Business Forum will be distributing information about the road show to its members.

The council has already produced a business booklet on surviving a crisis. It offers advice on the Civil Contingencies Act, a five step guide to producing a business continuity plan, ten top tips to back that up and an exhaustive check list.

The road show has already visited business in and around Tharston industrial estate in Long Stratton, and has plans to go to Harleston and Loddon in April and Wymondham and Ashwellthorpe in May.

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