This decision tree is intended to assist in preparation for and reaction to disasters by providing brief discussion points and then serving as an index to link users to other web sites containing more detailed information.

Priorities for Disaster Planning and Preparation

Priorities for Immediate Action during Three-Week Window Following Disaster

Other Disaster Recovery Links

Priorities for Disaster Planning and Preparation

• Review the manufacturing assistance program for all types of disaster information.
  
  
• Review FEMA disaster materials for types of disasters appropriate to your location.
  
  
• Obtain first aid materials and get first responders trained in first aid - American Red Cross
  
  
• Maintain awareness of manufacturing trends and technology - Manufacturing Publications
  
  
• Maintain awareness of new and used equipment markets - CIRAS New and Used Equipment Information
  
  
• Maintain awareness of cost estimating software and publications on maintenance and barcoding
  
  
• Consider upgrading or automating equipment to incorporate new technology in machining, material handling, inspection - Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Lab
  
  
• Consider converting prints to computer files. If you have no print, consider using reverse engineering to obtain prints - Reverse Engineering
  
  
• Communication with customers
• Establish understanding on how many days of inventory of your products your customers maintain.
• Establish alliances with other companies to assist each other in the event of an emergency.

Priorities for Immediate Action During Three-Week Window Following Disaster

• People - Initiate treatment of injured people. Take action to minimize further injury. Recognize that people may be in shock - American Red Cross
  
  
• Equipment and Facilities
• Take action to minimize further damage to equipment and facilities.
• Evaluate potential safety and environmental hazards and take appropriate action.



• Weather
• Stay in touch with what changes in weather can be expected to avoid further complications.
• Weather Information.



• Assess the Business Viability
• Is returning to business or rebuilding a viable choice?
• If so, what needs to be replaced, rebuilt, refurbished?
• Who to contact to claim loss, get assistance, equipment, or space?



• Equipment Issues
• Strategy issue - depending on the level of damage to equipment, should new equipment incorporate automation, PLC's, robots, barcoding, and automated material handling?
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Lab - Utilize national/state databases of new and used equipment
• Utilize national database of metalworking, cutting, forming equipment, etc.
• Issues on cleaning up/testing equipment prior to use.
• New and used equipment



• Manufacturing Space Issues
• Space is available at Rock Island Arsenal.
• Contact your regional Economic Development office, Chamber of Commerce offices in near by cities that may have space.



• Communication With Customers
• Establish understanding on how many days of inventory of your products your customers maintain.
• Establish alliances with other companies to assist the other in the event of an emergency.
• Communicate your planned timetable for resuming production and assist your customers in obtaining product in the interim.



• Priorities for Application of Cash On Hand/ Line of Credit
• Obtain new and used equipment to return to operation or get equipment cleaned and operational.
• Obtain space if needed.
• Utilize employees where possible or encourage them to obtain unemployment compensation.
• SBA/SBDC Click your region on the U.S. map; then click your state on the regional map; then click the appropriate menu item.



• Manufacturing Publications
• Publication Contact Information

Other Disaster Planning and Recovery Links

Following are links to other sites that may be of interest. While some of these sites may be currently inactive, many of them can be found using a search engine.

Manufacturer Assistance Program
Disaster Management Center, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Disaster Recovery Journal
ICES, Preparedness and Recovery at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Severe Weather and Natural Disaster Bulletins at Ohio State
FEMA
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Disaster Events in 1994
Welcome to The Fire/Police/EMS Station on the Internet
Binomial International/Phoenix Disaster Recovery Planning
Emergency Preparedness Canada Information Materials
Emergency (Disaster) Oriented Information Services
Disasters/Humanitarian Assistance
Flood: Related Topics
Earthquake: Related Topics
MCOR Emergency Response (Disaster Relief)