Frequently Asked Questions
Are Firestorm’s plans custom made to each business?
Yes. Our analysis is focused on the vulnerabilities and exposures within your company. A “fill in the blank” canned program will be placed on the shelf and never used, or possibly forgotten in a crisis.
Do you test your plans with client companies, once you¹ve completed an assessment?
Absolutely. The success of any emergency plan depends on routine testing, audits and updates. Practicing emergency response helps assure that you and your staff can proceed predictably in an actual emergency. Test exercises also diagnose any problems or weaknesses in the plan so that it can be amended. With testing and audits, management can assess how comfortable and competent the employees are in performing emergency response functions and duties. Organizations should rehearse their emergency response plans the same way they stage fire drills and complete IT backups.
What are the chances a company will ever need the kind of services you provide?
The better question is, how much are you willing to risk? It is the unexpected, unanticipated nature of disasters that complicates an organization’s ability to survive the damage. You may never suffer from an act of terrorism like 9/11, or a catastrophic storm like Katrina. But consider: OSHA reports that workplace shootings are the second most common cause of workplace deaths. This winter’s violent storms and unpredictable weather shut down companies throughout the country, sometimes for days.
What does Disaster Due Diligence mean?
Disaster due diligence describes the process in which a company acknowledges the crises and emergencies that might arise, surveys its vulnerabilities to those contingencies, and adopts a comprehensive continuity plan for every phase of disaster control – from prevention to consequence management. We use the Preaction model: Predict. Plan. Perform. to assess needs and develop appropriate processes and systems to protect our clients.
What does Firestorm do that a company can't do on its own?
Firestorm brings years of expertise to the analysis and planning process. When we conduct a vulnerability analysis and prepare a business continuity plan, we provide extensive expertise in security, governance, insurance, human resources, crisis communications and media relations.
What does it cost to have Firestorm evaluate my company?
Firestorm offers to all prospects a free, one-hour consultation. We then prepare a custom proposal based on the unique needs of your organization.
What should employees do to prepare on the personal level today?
Download and read, “Disaster Ready People for a Disaster Ready America.” Firestorm principals Harry Rhulen and Jim Satterfield published this very comprehensive guide to prepare yourself and your family in the event of a crisis or disaster. You can also request free copies of the book for your friends, family and co-workers.
Why should companies worry about contingency plans, other than for their IT systems?
Because organizations are run by and for people. Of course, sustaining the IT infrastructure is critical. But, if your employees can’t travel to work, or lack electrical power to access the organization’s IT system, the company grinds to a halt. Always keep in mind: every crisis is a human crisis. Your IT infrastructure won’t take the initiative to physically protect your employees and facilities, it can’t respond to the press, or explain to stakeholders how and why the situation ended as it did. IT can’t be held accountable – but you can, and will.
