In the spring of 1997 the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium and the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) held a workshop to discuss how natural disasters can effect Evansville and the surrounding area. In the fall of 1998, an alliance of area businesses was begun to find ways to minimize the impact from these kinds of events and develop disaster recovery initiatives. James Lee Witt, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was the guest speaker for the kick-off event for the formation of the Southwest Indiana Disaster Recovery Business Alliance (DRBA).

Bi-monthly breakfast meetings are held on the odd number months with guest speakers to provide information on topics chosen by the members. DRBA offers the members an annual all day Disaster Preparedness Conference, seminars, workshops, tabletop exercises, and business continuity training.

Mission

Establish and support the operational, informational, and personal links among Southwest Indiana businesses that will expedite normalization of productivity, commerce, and quality of life following large scale emergencies in the area.

Many businesses have internal plans and strategies to cope with emergencies caused by disasters at the business site. some businesses do have plans for full internal recovery of operations. The majority of businesses do not!

The best strategies and plans for internal recovery of a business are not enough. If your business survives and the community does not (e.g. telecommunication systems, roads, bridges, electric utilities, water, and other elements of the community infrastructure), your internal recovery will at best be seriously compromised and at worst will be for nothing.

DRBA can make a significant contribution to the internal planning for recovery of business after a disaster. More important, DRBA is the vehicle for businesses to interact with government and the community stakeholders to guarantee the survival of the community. A community without businesses or businesses without the community will not survive.

Hazard and Risk Assessment - Identification of businesses and community risk from earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and other potential hazards in the Southwest Indiana area.

Education and Awareness - Programs designed to raise the awareness of the business community to natural and technological hazards, their consequences, and steps that can be taken to increase preparedness and minimize loss from future disasters.

Hazard Mitigation - Pre-disaster steps that can be taken to reduce potential business losses from future disasters.

Business Resumption - Plans and procedures, developed in coordination with government, that will expedite the resumption of business operations following a disaster.

Business and Community Recovery - Includes identification of resources that can be used to support disaster recovery.

Objectives

Private sector involvement in partnership with public sector to focus on the economic sustainability of a region or community when hit by a major disaster (natural or man-made).

Formation of a Business Alliance between local businesses and governments to help communities mitigate effects of, improve response to, and more quickly recover from, a major disaster.

Bridge the cultural gap between businesses and the public agencies and organizations.

End Products

Owned and operated by the local business community.

Works as partner with local public operations such as emergency operations centers, police, fire, and city management.

Provides leadership and liaison for public and private sector partnership.

Management of partnership mitigation initiatives.

Promotion and training on internal and external contingency planning.

 

For more information please call 425-8401.