This paper will deal with emergency response and recognises that emergencies and disasters can occur any time without warning. However the more you are prepared for them, the better you will be able to act, minimizing panic and confusion when an emergency occurs. Relatively speaking,

Small businesses may have more to lose than large companies when a disaster - natural or otherwise - strikes. Because of high costs or

Lack of resources, many smaller companies have less rigorous business-continuity plans in place, and some have no formal processes at all.

The purpose of this paper is to help employers develop emergency response plans that will meet the specific needs of their small businesses. Any plan should take into account the type of business you are in and the nature

of your worksite.

This paper will start by asking these basic questions:

How well prepared is your business now?

What procedures do you already have in place for an emergency situation?

What potential emergency situations could occur?

The speaker will hold a Workshop on Day Four when these issues can be more fully discussed.