National Standard for Facility Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricanes can produce a devastating combination of storm surge, powerful winds, tornadoes, and torrential rains. Hurricane awareness and preparation are key in reducing the devastating effects of a hurricane disaster. Catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, happen quickly and, in most cases, without warning. Statistics for the 2006 hurricane season predict 17 named storms in the Atlantic with nine storms developing into hurricanes. All business owners and managers should conduct a hurricane preparedness assessment.

Do your employees know their roles and duties as the hurricane season approaches?

How will your company conduct business should it be interrupted by a storm?

The National Standard for Facility Hurricane Preparedness was created to help businesses develop a system to become better organized before, during and after a hurricane. This is accomplished by a facility assessment including a verification of its disaster preparedness plan. Following your facility self-assessment, ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. (ABS QE), can provide third-party verification and issue certification. ABS QE certification offers the following benefits:

Potential reduction of insurance premiums and possible stabilization of premiums
Decrease of potential injuries and damages from hurricanes
Reassurance to your customers that your business has prepared for a storm and business will resume soon after a hurricane
Confidence from your employees that you have a plan in place to assist and protect them during a crisis

The National Standard for Facility Hurricane Preparedness helps small businesses and light industry develop a system to become better organized before, during and after a hurricane. This will be implemented in an assessment approach in order to assure business continuity, reduce confusion, and minimize the potential for injury, cost for recovery, and downtime before resuming normal operations.

To obtain certification for the National Standard for Facility Hurricane Preparedness from ABS QE, perform the steps below:

Perform a self-assessment in one of four grade levels:

Grade A (most advanced)
Grade B (value-added)
Grade C (intermediate)
Grade D (basic)

Download the guide for self assessment
Schedule a verification assessment to certify your grade level with ABS QE by contacting Judith Hackney at 281-673-2826 or by e-mail at jhackney@abs-qe.com.
Receive formal certificate to post on your Web site. With ABS QE certification, your customers are assured of your commitment to business continuity, resulting in a competitive advantage.

For more information, please contact:

Judith Hackney
1-281-673-2826 | jhackney@abs-qe.com