Two-way communication is critical before, during and after a disaster.

Talk to co-workers with disabilities. If you have employees with disabilities ask about what assistance is needed. People with disabilities typically know what assistance they will need in an emergency.

Frequently review and practice what you intend to do during and after an emergency with drills and exercises.

Close the business.

If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.

Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.

Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities report it is safe to leave.

Close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.

If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.

Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled

Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.

Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.

 It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.

Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.

Bring everyone into the room(s). Shut and lock the door(s).

Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, and customer.)

Keep listening to the radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

If feasible, develop a system for knowing who is in your building, including customers and visitors, in case there is an emergency.

Decide in advance who has the authority to order an evacuation. Create a chain of command so that others are authorized to act in case your designated person is not available. If local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.

Identify who will shut down critical operations and lock the doors, if possible, during an evacuation.

Locate and make copies of building and site maps with critical utility and emergency routes clearly marked.

Plan two ways out of the building from different locations throughout your facility.

Consider the feasibility of installing emergency lighting or plan to use flashlights in case the power goes out.

Establish a warning system.

Designate an assembly site

Try to account for all workers, visitors and customers as people arrive at the assembly site.

Determine who is responsible for providing an all-clear or return-to-work notification. Plan to cooperate with local authorities responding in an emergency.

Conduct employee training, exercises and drills including procedures for evacuating high-rise buildings on a regular basis.

Plan for people with disabilities who may need help getting out in an emergency.

If your business operates out of more than one location or has more than one place where people work, establish evacuation procedures for each individual building.

If your company is in a high-rise building, an industrial park, or even a small strip mall, it is important to coordinate and practice with other tenants or businesses to avoid confusion and potential gridlock.

If you rent, lease or share space with other businesses, make sure the building owner and other companies are committed to coordinating and practicing evacuation procedures together.