July 10, 2024
Introducing a new disaster preparedness and response resource
As the state’s largest workers’ compensation provider, we know the challenges businesses can encounter when faced with a disaster. That’s why part of our commitment to building a stronger, safer Texas includes providing businesses with the resources they need to prepare for the unexpected. Texas Mutual is excited to announce the launch of BeforeDuringAfter, the state’s first and only consolidated disaster preparedness and resiliency website for small businesses.
Four years ago, Texas Mutual, Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR) and Texas State University Institute for Government Innovation (TXST) began identifying and evaluating what resources were available for small businesses before, during and after disasters. The team found that although resources were plentiful, they were scattered across countless local, statewide and national organizations. From there, the idea for creating a unified place with resources was born.
Beforeduringafter.com
BeforeDuringAfter is a free online resource to help Texas small businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters and other unpredictable events. It’s focused on connecting small businesses to experts in their local area. The website’s resources include:
- Readiness roadmap: Outlines essential steps to help small businesses prepare before a disaster strikes
- Get involved: Provides ways to support your community and create a network of partners
- Emergency information: Delivers crucial government, news, weather, utility and transportation updates during a disaster
- Recovery timeline: Identifies steps businesses can take to help them bounce back after a disaster
- Giving guide: Features local, regional, state and national organizations to help communities rebuild
Watch the video to learn more about this new online resource for Texans.
BeforeDuringAfter is made possible through a public-private partnership between Texas Mutual, TEXSAR, TXST, OneStar Foundation and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, with additional support from Wells Fargo.
Strengthening Texas
Small businesses are important to Texas, and to Texas Mutual, making up 99% of businesses in the state and employing nearly half of all working Texans. However, according to FEMA, 40% of small businesses that close in the wake of a disaster will never reopen, and an additional 29% will go out of business within two years of a disaster. Our goal with BeforeDuringAfter was to create an impactful resource that helps small businesses become more resilient and in turn, supports the communities and families who rely on them.
Disaster preparedness and response is directly tied to our corporate citizenship strategy (PDF 4,354KB) and one of the many ways we’re helping create strong, safe and resilient communities. From providing safety resources to help businesses prepare for the unexpected to supporting recovery efforts through grant funding in the wake of disasters, taking care of Texans is at the heart of everything we do.
Free safety resource for all Texans
While this resource was created with small businesses in mind, it’s a free resource that anyone can access when facing a disaster in Texas. We encourage you to explore beforeduringafter.com and share it with your colleagues, family and friends. Learn more about Texas Mutual’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives and read the full press release (PDF 159KB) on BeforeDuringAfter.