September 11, 2024

Starting the preparedness conversation

The sooner you prepare for emergencies, the better. A plan can offer stability, safety and peace of mind during a crisis. With a little effort and help from the resources provided by Texas Mutual, you can create your own plan to handle any emergency. To get started, all you really need to do is have that first conversation.

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, promoted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at ready.gov. This annual campaign serves as a reminder that disasters can strike at any time, affecting homes, communities and workplaces. Businesses in Texas face a wide range of natural disasters, from hurricanes to wildfires. Preparedness is key.

This year's theme, "Start a Conversation," encourages you to talk about disaster preparedness with others. Discussing a sensitive subject like this might seem intimidating, but it's a crucial step to protect your employees and your business. FEMA recommends the following tips for initiating these conversations:

• Choose a calm and relaxed setting.
• Set aside a specific time for the discussion.
• Share your own preparedness efforts and encourage open dialogue.

Discussions are the first step to understanding the hazards your business can face during a disaster as well as the needs of your organization. Laying this foundation can help you create a robust disaster plan that fits your business, lowers your risks and quickens your time to recover.

Disaster preparedness resources

No matter where you are in the planning process, we have you covered. As the state’s leading workers' compensation insurance provider, Texas Mutual understands the unique challenges that Texas businesses face. That’s why we launched BeforeDuringAfter, the first unified disaster preparedness website specifically for Texas small businesses.

This resource was developed in partnership with Texas Search and Rescue (TEXSAR) and Texas State University Institute for Government Innovation (TXST). It offers helpful tools for preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters.

• The Readiness Roadmap guides small businesses through pre-disaster preparation.
• The Get Involved initiative fosters community engagement and partnerships.
• The Emergency Information Hub provides real-time updates during disasters.
• The Recovery Timeline assists businesses in post-disaster recovery.
• The Give Back guide connects you with opportunities to contribute to recovery efforts.

As part of National Preparedness Month, we encourage all Texas businesses to explore beforeduringafter.com and learn more about Texas Mutual’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives to strengthen their disaster readiness. As a Texas Mutual policyholder, you also have exclusive access to thousands of free safety resources in English and Spanish, including disaster planning checklists and other related content. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Being prepared today means a safer tomorrow for your business and your employees.