Be Ready Texas

Episode 1: Why disaster preparedness is important

Gain insight into why emergency preparedness is so important and what proactive steps business owners can take before a disaster happens, featuring guests from Texas Mutual, Community Affairs Manager Jackie Sekiguchi and Senior Safety Consultant Noah Salazar.

Episode resources:

• Explore COVID-19 resources and FAQs
• Take the American Red Cross Ready Rating and see how prepared your business is
• Download and get started on the FEMA Emergency Response plan (PDF)

Episode 2: Protecting your people and profits during the COVID-19 pandemic

Keeping your employees healthy is good for business, and the COVID-19 pandemic presents new challenges. Get tips on return to work and minimizing the spread of disease from Rik Heller, an infectious disease expert and Patty Olinger, executive director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council.

Episode resources:

• Download and implement the sample COVID-19 Safety Program (DOC) from Texas Mutual
• Explore OSHA resources for reopening your business

Episode 3: What business owners should know in response to COVID-19

Hear tips on communicating through a pandemic and how to keep your business operational. Stephen Love, president and CEO of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Hospital Council, shares how hospitals in DFW are addressing business continuity. Dr. Merlyn Sayers, CEO of Carter BloodCare, gives insight on how to respond during a disaster situation.

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Episode resources:

• Download and review a crisis communication checklist (PDF)
• Review and implement a crisis communication plan
• Learn best practices for communicating through the coronavirus crisis

Episode 4: How to not let a disaster sink your business

Rayome’ Soupiset, chief operating officer of Mueller Inc., shares how COVID-19 has impacted his business and offers advice for small business owners. Megan Levy, senior business continuity specialist for Texas Mutual, provides advice and practical tips for business owners on preparing and responding to a disaster situation.

Episode resources:

• Find financial preparedness tips and steps you can take today to get started
• Create and implement a business continuity plan for your business

Episode 5: How to prepare for severe weather 

Learn how to prepare and recover when disaster strikes from expert Brooks Nelson, senior director of global resilience programming for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Also hear firsthand experience from Leigh Richardson, founder and clinical director of the Brain Performance Center, which was affected by the 2019 Dallas tornadoes.

Episode resources:

• Prepare for emergencies by identifying risks to your business and creating a plan
• Get to know alert and warning tools available to you
• Download the FEMA app to receive real-time alerts

Episode 6: What to do after a disaster strikes

From navigating insurance, to offering employees support, learn what businesses need to know to recover and rebuild after a disaster. Listen to this episode to hear from Bridget Weston, CEO of the SCORE Association and David Scullin, president and CEO of Communities Foundation of Texas.

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Episode resources:

• Follow 6 steps to evaluate your disaster plan
• Review the Small Business Recovery Expanded Guide

Episode 7: Saving lives with first aid and CPR

First aid, CPR and proper training can help your business be prepared to respond to health emergencies. Hear from Dan Halyburton with the American Red Cross and Dr. Gustavo Flores, director and chief instructor at Emergency & Critical Care Trainings and medical expert for the American Heart Association.

Episode resources:

• Know the warning signs of a heart attack
• Get First Aid, CPR and AED online training or on-site training for your workplace
• Explore the National Safety Council First Aid Video Library

Episode 8: Protecting your business and employees from an active shooter

According to the FBI, there were 277 active shooter incidents in the U.S. from 2000 to 2018 that injured or killed 2,430 people. Guests Danny Coulson, security expert and former assistant FBI director, and David Tilley, chief of police at the Plano Police Department, offer insight on how to prepare for and handle an active shooter situation in the workplace.

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Episode resources:

• Watch Run. Hide. Fight. training video from the FBI
• Download and post Texas Mutual’s Active Shooter poster in your workplace, available in English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF)
• Explore Active Shooter Preparedness from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

Episode 9: Preparing for and preventing fires in the workplace

Fire causes more deaths than any type of disaster. According to OSHA, more than 75,000 workplace fires and related explosions occur each year. In this episode, hear from Jim Pauley, president and chief executive officer of the National Fire Protection Association, and Peter Steinfeld, senior vice president at AlertMedia.

Episode resources:

• Explore fire safety standards, hazards and solutions, and more from OSHA
• Review 6 Workplace Fire Prevention Tips from AlertMedia

Episode 10: Minimizing property risks and protecting assets

Disasters of any kind pose a threat to your assets. Learn about the risk management process to identify, quantify and diversify risks for your business. Guests Justin Crossie with the U.S. Small Business Administration and small business owner Anastasia Gentles share how to minimize risks and recover when they do occur.

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Episode resources:

• Learn about identifying hazards, assessing vulnerability and analyzing impact
• Complete a business risk assessment (PDF)
• Implement 6 tips for successful risk management

Episode 11: Planning for the future

Regardless of the size of your business, there are many unknowns you must take into consideration to prepare for the road ahead. Guests Alex Lee, owner of Blue Fish Sushi, and Ed Warmus, who specializes in helping businesses cope with a changing business environment, share how you can best prepare your business for the future.

Episode resources:

• Review 7 Steps You Need to Take Before Disaster Strikes
• See how to Prepare Your Business for an Emergency

Episode 12: How to protect your business against the threat of cyberattack

Regardless of the size or scale of a business, the devastation and damage of a cyberattack can be catastrophic. In this episode, Tyler Moffit, security analyst at Webroot, talks about specific challenges that small business owners face when it comes to cybersecurity. Baretta Mort, regional cybersecurity manager of an area defense aerospace business and member of the Women in Cybersecurity organization, shares tips and best practices for business owners to protect their assets

Episode resources:

• Explore cybersecurity resources from the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
• Find 10 cyber security tips from the Federal Communications Commission
• Assess your business’s risk of attack with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s planning and assessment tools