The article discusses a new partnership between the American Red Cross and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation aimed at helping small businesses prepare for potential weather disasters. Jennifer Pipa from the Red Cross highlights that many small business owners believe they are prepared, but statistics suggest otherwise. Key preparations include developing emergency plans, backing up important records, and planning for disruptions in power and communication.
Through the partnership, small businesses can utilize the American Red Cross Ready Rating Program to assess their risks and create emergency plans using various templates and tools. Additionally, those who complete the program can access grants of $5,000 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Readiness for Resiliency Program.
Rob Glenn from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation emphasizes the number of small businesses in the Syracuse area and the challenges they face in disaster preparedness, such as cost and time constraints. He stresses that taking proactive steps can simplify recovery during disasters.
