New York City's Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program

The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) has established the Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program to help businesses prepare for emergencies and disruptions¹. These plans are critical for businesses, as unforeseen events can lead to significant financial losses, such as the millions of dollars lost by Delta Airlines due to system outages and weather-related issues². The program offers resources and support to help businesses develop continuity plans and protect their investments¹.

Website:

The website for the Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program is located at the following URL: https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/emergency-preparedness/business-preparedness-and-resiliency-program ¹

Workshops and Webinars

The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers free emergency preparedness workshops and webinars for businesses across New York City¹. These workshops and webinars provide guidance and resources to help businesses create comprehensive business continuity plans and prepare for unexpected events¹.

Developing a Business Continuity Plan

The Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program encourages businesses to develop a business continuity plan to ensure they can operate during emergencies¹. More information about emergency and business continuity planning can be found at the following link: https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/emergency-preparedness/business-preparedness-and-resiliency-program/emergency-planning ¹

Business Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool

The program also offers a Business Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool to help businesses evaluate their current level of preparedness³. This tool guides businesses through the initial steps of understanding their risks, vulnerabilities, and areas for improvement³. By using the self-assessment tool, businesses can identify potential weaknesses in their preparedness and take proactive steps to enhance their resilience³.

Risk Assessment and Grant Program

The Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program includes a Risk Assessment and Grant Program¹. This program offers free risk assessments to businesses located in areas at risk of flooding⁴. Experts review the business's physical location, operations, and insurance needs to provide personalized recommendations for reducing risk⁴.

Insurance Regulations for Disaster Preparedness

New York State has regulations in place to ensure that insurance companies can continue operating during disasters⁵. These regulations require insurance companies to have disaster preparedness and response plans that meet specific standards⁵. For example, a new law requires insurance companies to respond to disaster or emergency claims within 15 business days of closing an investigation and pay within three business days of a claim settlement⁶. This ensures that businesses can receive timely assistance with their insurance claims after a disaster⁶.

Case Studies

The 2003 blackout in New York City provides an example of how businesses with effective continuity plans can maintain operations during emergencies⁷. Many businesses with backup power and emergency kits for employees were able to remain open, and the financial markets continued to operate despite the widespread power outage⁷. This demonstrates the importance of preparedness in minimizing disruptions and ensuring business continuity⁷.

Financial Assistance and Incentives

The Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program offers financial assistance to businesses through the Business PREP Risk Assessment and Grant Program⁸. Businesses can contact the SBS hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) or visit their website to learn more and apply for the program⁸.

Conclusion

The New York City Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program offers a comprehensive suite of resources to help businesses prepare for emergencies and ensure their continued operation. By utilizing the program's website, workshops, webinars, and self-assessment tools, businesses can gain a better understanding of their risks and vulnerabilities and develop effective continuity plans. The program also highlights the importance of insurance regulations in ensuring that businesses can access necessary financial assistance after a disaster. Furthermore, the availability of financial assistance through programs like the Business PREP Risk Assessment and Grant Program can further support businesses in their preparedness efforts. By actively participating in the program and utilizing the available resources, businesses in New York City can enhance their resilience and safeguard their operations from potential disruptions.

Works cited

1. Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program - NYC.gov: Business, accessed January 11, 2025, https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/emergency-preparedness/business-preparedness-and-resiliency-program
2. 6 times business continuity and disaster recovery plans mattered - Bryghtpath, accessed January 11, 2025, https://bryghtpath.com/6-times-business-continuity-and-disaster-recovery-plans-mattered/
3. Business Preparedness - NYC.gov: Business, accessed January 11, 2025, https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/bprep
4. Business Preparedness and Resiliency Program: Risk Assessments and Grants, accessed January 11, 2025, https://sohobroadway.org/risk-assessment-and-grant-program/
5. New York's New Business Continuity Regulations for Insurers - Agility Recovery, accessed January 11, 2025, https://www.agilityrecovery.com/article/ny-business-continuity-regulations-insurance
6. New law aims to expedite disaster insurance claims in New York | NYSenate.gov, accessed January 11, 2025, https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/2024/james-skoufis/new-law-aims-expedite-disaster-insurance-claims-new-york
7. ENHANCING NEW YORK CITY'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - NYC.gov, accessed January 11, 2025, https://www.nyc.gov/html/om/pdf/em_task_force_final_10_28_03.pdf
8. Risk Assessment and Grant Program - NYC.gov: Business, accessed January 11, 2025, https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/emergency-preparedness/business-preparedness-and-resiliency-program/risk-assessment-and-preparedness-grant