Disaster Recovery Store - Emergency Survival | First Aid | Home And Auto Safety Kits

Disaste Rrecovery Store First aid kits

2010-06-23T01:55:00.000-07:00

	"HIP PACK" EMERGENCY RESPONDER KIT - 316 Pieces Our "Hip Pack" Emergency First Aid Kit is perfect for any small business or organization! With their contents validated by nurses, EMT's and firefighters, it includes all the basics you need to perform first aid and triage in any situation.	EMT FIRST RESPONDER KIT - 394 Pieces Our "EMT Style" First Responder Kit is a must have for any one in the field! With contents validated by nurses, EMT's and firefighters, it was created for trained medical responders for any field emergency. It exceeds ANSI Standard Z308.1.2003 (workplace minimum first aid supplies).	CPR SHIELD WITH KEYRING POUCH A physical barrier for mouth to mouth resuscitation. Reduces physical contact by providing a physical barrier during mouth to mouth. In addition to the barrier membrane, a one way valve prevents the victim's secretions from being transmitted to the rescuer. Carry pouch with keychain.
	25-Person Trauma Kit - 486 pieces Our Premium Multi-Person Trauma Kits are a must have for any business, school or organization! With contents validated by nurses, EMT's and firefighters, they include the essentials you need to perform first aid and triage in a major disaster. They are packaged in heavy-duty multi-pocketed duffle bags. They also meet and exceed ANSI Standard Z308.1.2003 (workplace minimum first aid supplies) 486-Piece Kit Contents: Dressings & Bandages 5 Abdominal Pads Sterile 8" x 7.5" 5 Abdominal Pads Sterile 5" x 9"	Case-30 Body Warmer Pads 24-Hour Description : Provides over 24 hours of emergency heat. Air activated - just unwrap to begin heating. Average temperature - 135 degrees, max up to 166 degrees. Environmentally friendly & non-toxic. Packaged 30 per Case.	1-Person 24-Hour Influenza Protection Kit Description : We have created an influenza protection First aid Kits to help protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a flu pandemic. Based on what the CDC and WHO recommends, this kit includes all the basics to protect you from airborne viruses. Kit Contents: (1) Hand Sanitizer 2oz. (2) N95 NIOSH Respirators (1) Bio Hazard Bag (1) Tissue Pack (6) Antimicrobial Wipes (1) Pair of Nitrile Gloves Large (1) Influenza Protection Pamphlet (1) Packaged in a 4mil Reclosable Bag

CERT - Certified Emergency Response Teams

2010-04-21T02:13:00.000-07:00

C.E.R.T Material and Training Program is aimed at providing community volunteers with educational materials, lectures and hands-on training in fundamental disaster response skills that will be helpful during calamities and other emergency situations. In cases where the magnitude of the problem is enormous, you should know that police or fire officers and paramedics may not always be immediately available when you need instant attention. But if there are C.E.R.T Material and trained volunteers in your area, you can be assured that these individuals will be able to assist you and your family until help arrives in situations that require urgent attention, such as fires, earthquakes, and even medical emergencies. In fact, government agencies are encouraging C.E.R.T members to play a more active role in helping their communities in emergency situations like evacuation procedures, disaster safety campaigns, and preparation for hurricanes and other calamities.

C.E.R.T (Certified Emergency Response Teams) Training is actually available to anyone who is at least eighteen years old. Individuals who are less than 18 years old need approval from their parents before they can participate in this program. The basic skills that you will learn from C.E.R.T include search and rescue, fire safety, organization of teams,first aid k its, threat assessment and disaster preparedness in your home, community and even in your office. More often than not, C.E.R.T volunteers are first to respond to disasters, especially in areas that are not very accessible to other rescue units.

Aside from emergency-related activities, volunteers of C.E.R.T (Certified Emergency Response Teams) are also encouraged to help disseminate information about disaster safety and preparedness, to assist elderly with their preparation for emergency survival kits situations (such as changing the battery of smoke alarms), and even participate in special local or national events that deal with rescue and safety.

As a C.E.R.T (Certified Emergency Response Teams) volunteer, you also need to make sure that you have C.E.R.T kits that contain tools and equipment to make you prepared for hazards and calamities. Every action response group should have C.E.R.T kits that contain first aid supplies, light sticks, vented chemical goggles, work gloves, hard hat, water pouches, and other things that can assist them in protecting themselves and helping other people survive during emergencies. Flashlights, bullhorns and whistles are also important gadgets that are needed by volunteers during rescue operations or organizing teams. Lastly, in order to help distinguish certified volunteers from other people, C.E.R.T vests, caps, and patches may also be necessary.

Auto Emergency Kits

2010-04-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

Auto emergency kits are an essential tool for any vehicle. Emergencies happen when we least expect them - and the best way to avoid being stranded for long periods of time on a deserted road is to be equipped with an auto emergency kit. The kit should include tools for car repairs as well as essentials such as a first aid kit, blanket or emergency solar blanket, water, and food. Granola or energy bars are the perfect food for roadside emergencies. The first aid kit should contain basics such as gauze, bandages, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, scissors, instant ice pack, instant heat compress, and aspirin or other pain reliever.

Auto emergency kits should also include a flashlight with extra batteries, emergency flares, pen and paper, and a help sign to place in the window for passing vehicles to see in case you are stranded inside the vehicle. Flat tires are one of the leading causes for roadside emergencies. Every vehicle should be equipped with tools necessary to change a tire - and, every driver should learn how to change a tire before driving. Be sure to have a spare tire, vehicle jack, tire pressure gauge, and lug wrench. Another handy item to have available is a bottled tire inflator. If the tire is not completely flat, you may be able to inflate the tire enough to get to a service station.

Because all roadside emergencies are not caused by tires, auto emergency kits should contain tools that allow basic repairs to be done on the vehicle. These should include flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, vise grips, adjustable wrench, pliers, pocketknife, or a multipurpose tool containing many tools in one. Other items that can come in handy during a roadside emergency include oil, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, rags or paper towels, duct tape, and an ice scraper.

Living in a fast-paced world often requires lots of travel. Whether you have a long commute to work or just like to take long trips, it is always best to be prepared ahead of time. Auto emergency kits often mean less time stranded and more time on the road. If you became stranded today, are you prepared? Be sure to equip your vehicle with everything you need to ensure a safe trip - and be sure every driver is familiar with the tools contained in your auto emergency kit and knows how to use them. Safety first - whether in the home or on the road.

A Home Emergency Kit Can Save Your Life

2010-04-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

Whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made emergency, being prepared at all times with the necessary essentials on hand ensures that you will be better equipped to survive a crisis until emergency personnel arrive. In order to be properly prepared, a home emergency kit is a must-have in all homes and should be well stocked at all times to meet the needs of every family member.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, everyone should have a Ready Plan in the event of a crisis or major catastrophe. The plan should include a home emergency kit and a family communications strategy. A basic home emergency kit should meet the necessary needs for survival, which are fresh water, food, warmth and clean air.

When putting together a home emergency kit, you can store all the supplies in a storage container, a backpack for each family member, or a box. But whatever you choose to use, be sure it's sturdy and mobile in case you need to evacuate your home.

A home em ergency kit should have enough supplies to provide for you and your family for several days. For water, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation purposes. Likewise, there should be enough non-perishable food per person for at least three days. Be sure to include a can opener if including canned foods.

Other essential items in a home emergency kit are a flashlight with extra batteries; a rescue signal, such as a whistle; a battery powered radio; a battery powered NOAA weather radio with tone alert; extra batteries for the radios; pliers or a wrench in case utilities need to be turned off; a dust mask in the event of contaminated air; moist towelettes for personal sanitation; paper towels; paper supplies, like cups, plates and tissue; plastic utensils; garbage bags; matches or a fire starter kit; and local maps.

You should also keep copies of insurance policies, bank accounts, birth certificates, social security cards and other important family documents in a waterproof container that you can carry. Also include in this portable container some cash, change, travelers checks, and paper and pens.

The first aid kit in your home emergency kit should include bandages, anti-bacteria cream for cuts, tape and elastic bandages for sprains, aspirin, and a first aid book. To ensure you have all the first aid essentials for any kind of wound, you might want to purchase a first aid kit and then restock it as needed. Also include any required prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines. Make a note of their expiration date so you can continuously swap them out with fresh medications.

If there are any babies or pets in your home, your home emergency kit needs to include infant formula, diapers, wipes, pet food and extra water. You might also want to include puzzles, a deck of cards, games, or other activities for young children.

In the event you have to create safe and secure shelter, your home emergency kit should include a tent or plastic sheeting and duct tape, as well as sleeping bags or warm blankets for every member of the family. Several changes of clothing for each family member should also be included, as well as a supply of personal hygiene items.

While a home emergency kit should include basic survival needs, it also needs to have items that are unique to the daily living needs of you and your family. Keep in mind that you could be cut off from roads, or stores might be closed from a loss of electricity, so your home emergency kit needs to have everything you and your family requires in order to get by inside or outside your house until help arrives. It could be a few days, so it's important to be ready for anything.

10 Items Every Emergency Kit Should Have

2010-04-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Emergency kits are extremely important to have on hand in the event of an emergency. They provide you with the tools you need without having to try to find anything in the throws of a major emergency. With emergency kits, you can just grab the bag and have whatever you need at your fingertips - providing you have those things in your kit. Let's take a look at the 10 items every emergency kit should have, whether it is in your car or your home.

1. First Aid Kit - a first aid kit has the medical supplies that you will need in the event of an emergency. Be sure that you purchase a good first aid kit that has more than just Band-Aids in it. It should have band-aids, gauze, tape, scissors, antiseptic, alcohol pads, and topical analgesic, just for starters. You can also ensure you have some splint material and a sling or two to fashion splints or slings. Be sure that if you use any items from the first aid kit that you replenish it right away.

2. Radio and batteries - a radio and batteries will provide you information if your power goes out. Leave the batteries out of the radio; just tape them to the radio so they don't get lost.

3. Flashlight and batteries - in the event of an emergency, you may need light, whether it's to change a flat tire or navigate bumpy terrain after a major emergency. Once again, don't leave the batteries in the flashlight - tape them to the handle so you can easily find them when you need to install them.

4. Candles, waterproof matches and a lighter - candles provide more than just light - they can also warm up a small space, such as the cab of a vehicle or a small room.

5. Blanket - there are plenty of blankets for sale that wrap up into a nice, tight little bundle and are specifically for emergency kits. It's a good idea to have a few on hand, in case there are extra people who require a blanket.

6. Bottled water - keeping a few bottles of water in your kit will ensure that you have something to drink if there is a catastrophe, or for other uses too; such as your car overheating and needing water to get the rest of the way home.

7. Energy bars and other non-perishable foods - keeping a few bars and some extra food that aren't perishable are a good idea as well. Be sure that you use foods that are easy to open and don't require a can opener. Energy bars are a good meal replacement if you can't get to food for a few days. You can also include a small bottle or packets of vitamin supplements.

8. Cash - for both home and cars, it's a good idea to have some emergency cash on hand. It's your kit, so go with what you feel comfortable with. One hundred dollars is suitable - remember if there's a major emergency, you may not be able to use your debit or credit cards.

9. Pencil and paper - keeping a pencil and paper in your kit is a good idea in case you need to write down important information that you hear on the radio. In a vehicle, you may need to write down information pertinent to your location, or information regarding the emergency, such as a major collision.

10. Cell phone - If you already have a cell phone, that should be fine, but you can invest in a pay-as-you-go plan if you don't. A cell phone can come in handy regardless of the type of emergency - you should always have one with you in a vehicle in case of break down, collision or an emergency.

Being prepared for an emergency will make a big difference in how you react and act in the event. Having a proper emergency kit will help you have the tools you need and you will find that you are much calmer knowing that you are prepared to handle the event.

Survival Kits - Everything You Need to Know

2010-04-01T01:06:00.000-07:00

A survival kit or bug out bag is arguably the most important piece of your emergency preparation. If an emergency or disaster strikes, you may be forced to stop and leave your present location at a moments notice. With that in mind, I recommend that you keep a survival kit in your vehicle so you will be prepared in the event that you need to "bug out" in a hurry.

Here's a breakdown of what I keep in my survival kit or bug out bag. This bag is kept in my car and will help sustain me for more than 72 hours if need be. Certain items are more important that others, and I've tried to point out the items that are essential and those that are beneficial to have but not as necessary.

The Pack

The first step is to pick out your main pack. It's important to have a durable backpack to fit all your gear and supplies in. I suggest (and personally use) a backpack known as the MOLLE Assault Pack by made by Specialty Defense Systems or SDS for short. The quality of this pack is incredible. It is super durable and also somewhat waterproof. This is the same equipment that is provided to the soldiers presently serving in the United States military. So I say, if it's good enough for combat, it's good enough for me.

You can get this backpack on ebay (they run between $30 an d $85 depending on whether the pack is new or used). If you go with this pack, you won't be disappointed

A nice aspect of this pack is that it is part of the larger MOLLE system which means that there are a number of different packs, pouches and other items that coordinate with this pack. In addition to the asault pack that is shown in the picture, I also have the larger main pack which I use to pack extra clothes and footwear.

Knives and Sharpeners

It is important to have a quality knife or two in your survival kit. I recommend that you have at least one fixed blade knife as well as a folding knife. There is an incredible amount of information on the internet about knives. I could not possible tell you what the best knife is since that answer depends on several factors, such as local environment, budget, etc. What I can tell you is what characteristics should be found in a quality knife.

First off, you want a knife that is made with quality construction. If we're talking a fixed blade knife, you want a knife that has a full tang. You also want a knife that has a sharp edge, and can keep that edge. This is important because the longer the knife can hold that sharp edge, the less frequently you need to sharpen the knife.

In my opinion, some quality brand name knife manufacturers are: Ka-Bar, S.O.G. Benchmade and Spyderco. Regardless of the knifes you keep in your pack, you should also keep at least one or two mechanisms to sharpen the blades. There are a number of alternatives for sharpening your blades.

Navigation

Make sure you have a few maps packed into your pack. I recommend packing maps of the local area, the
state, as well as the region (New England, Mid-Atlantic, etc.). In the event you need to get far away, these maps will become extremely valuable, especially if time is of the essence.

Having a compass and a back up is essential.

GPS units are nice and handy, in fact they're great for finding that alternative route out of dodge when the highways are a parking lot of panicked drivers. Howver, I personally prefer to use GPS units solely in my car when I know I've got a constant power source. I'd hate to be off in the woods relying on a GPS unit to find my way to safety and have the unit fail because the batteries died.

Signaling and Communication

A StarFlash signal mirror will attract attention to your spot. They're rather cheap and that makes it a nice addition to your pack.

A whistle is an essential item. Your voice will give out from yelling long before you can stop blowing on a whistle. Plus a quality whistle will be extremely loud and can be heard a great distance away. Essential if you're trying to get rescued in a secluded area.

I keep some high visibility surveyors ribbon wrapped around a bit of yardstick. This surveyor's "tape" is great for tracking your steps in the wilderness or leaving a trail for rescuers. It is very lightweight and can be indispensible if you need to leave a trail.

Light Sources

A flashlight is an essential item in any survival kit. Currently I have two flashlights: I carry a Surefire 6P LED light that is probably one of the most durable flashlights available. It provides a super bright 80 lumens and will run for 11 hours on one set of batteries. As a back up, I also have a Duracell crank led flashlight with radio. because it's a crank flashlight, I never have to worry about batteries going dead. Plus, the Duracell light also can charge my cellphone. I also keep a few glow sticks and a colapsible candle in its holder in my pack as well.

First Aid Kit

You can buy a commercial first aid kit to keep in your pack, but I'd suggest that you either make your own or supplement you kit to include some additional items. Regardless, you should keep the following items in your first aid kit: lip balm, hydrogen peroxide, benadryl, pain/fever relievers, hand sanitizer, afterbite, tweezers, band-aids, gauze pads, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, triple antibiotic wipes, burn jel, scissors and eye wash.

I also keep some additional items in my pack that you wouldn't ordinarily find in a commercial first aid kit. The additional items I include are: bug spray, sun tan lotion, any personal medications you may need, etc.

It would also be a good idea to keep a surgical and suture kit in your pack as well.

Fire Starting

Fire starting is an essential skill in any emergency situation. Simply carrying some matches won't cut it. I recommend having gear to provide for at least three ways to start a fire. My favorites items are the Blastmatch firestarter, Light My Fire Swedish Firesteel firestarter, and a magnesium and flint bar. All three of these methods will produce a shower of sparks hot enough to ignite your tinder and get a fire going. The first two items will work under any kind of weather conditions, even extreme wind.

In addition to generating a spark, you need tinder to get a fire going. The cheapest and most readily available tinder are items like dryer lint, and Vasaline coated cotton balls. I simply keep the dryer lint in a ziplock baggie and the cotton balls in a waterproof canister. There are commercial tinder products such as TinderQuick tabs, esbit fuel tablets, fire paste, etc that can also assist in starting a fire. I also keep a Bic ligther around as well. Regardless of what options you chose, you should make sure you have at lease two or three types of ignition as well as two or three types of tinder.

Shelter and Warmth

While your vehicle can act as your main mode of shelter, I suggest keeping at least a large tarp and two wool blankets in your vehicle.

Food and Sustanance

It's important to keep some sources of food in your vehicle. Of course, you need to be aware of shelf life issues, especially if its during the hotter months. I recommend some of the emergency food ration bars or MRE's. Dehydrated foods or jerky is also a great option. I also keep a couple of military issue mess kits with utensils and a small cutting board in my pack.

Water Purification

Access to water is essential to life. While a person can go for several days without food, a person cannot go for any extended period without water. It is important to have some water stored in your vehicle for this purpose. However, it is also important to have some options should you need to purify water from a suspect source. The best option is to keep some purification tablets in your kit. They are small and lightweight. In addition to purification tablets, I also have two Frontier emergency drinking straws in my kit. These straws allow you to place the filter end into water source and drink directly from source. I also keep a colapsible nalgene bottle in my pack. this is great to use as a purifying container. You can continue to drink from your main water bottle while this is purifying additional water. Plus it folds up when not in use.

Miscellaneous Items

Here are a few items that don't really fit into any other of the above categories. These items are not necessarily as important as those listed above, and some are just more for comfort than necessarily survival. In any event, if you've got the space in your pack, these items will make your life easier in the event of an emergency.

A small fishing kit can be handy if you're on your own for an extended period of time. Not only can it provide a means of catching fish from a water source, but it can help you make snare traps, etc. The contents of a fishing kit have many uses besides just fishing.

A small notepad and writing instrument. They do make notepads that can be used in inclement weather.

I've found a great product called Hand-E towels. These little tablets take up practically no space and are extremely light. They expand into a decent sized hand towel when placed in water.

A small roll of duct tape and a tube of super glue. Great for fixing things in more ways than you know.

A deck of waterproof playing cards to pass the time, entertain yourself or kids.

I have a U-Digg It folding shovel in my pack. I also have a larger folding snow shovel in my car during the winter months.

A pair of work gloves

Small roll of toilet paper. Again in an emergency situation you could go without it, but if you have it you'll be a little less miserable.

I recommend that you carry 50ft of 550 paracord rope in your pack. Don't skimp - get the real 550 cord. It makes all the difference in the world. This stuff has thousands of uses.

A wire hand saw is great for trimming down small branches to use for firewood.

I also carry a product called Knot-A-Bag. This is a continuous roll of plastic bag. It is housed in a plastic container and you can make any size bag that you need by simply pulling it out and knotting it.

I suggest you carry some additional reusable camp towels or other towels. If you need to do any work on your car you'll be happy to have these around afterwards.

A pair of binoculars.

I've also got a Bible in my pack to help keep the faith and hope.

Finally, it is important to remember that a well stocked survival kit can be virtually useless if you don't have the knowledge or skills to use the items packed in side. Be sure to become familiar with the tools and make sure you've got a good grasp on how to use them. Being well prepared can bring you a sense of calmness in an emergency.

The Different Types of Survival Kits

2010-04-01T00:33:00.000-07:00

There are many different kinds of survival kits, depending on the primary need they will be serving. There are personal, emergency, wilderness, vacationing outdoors and over the water ones, just to name a few. Likewise, the contents of survival kits will vary, depending on their main usage. But whatever the need or situation may be, a survival kit should be part of your daily life.

Survival kits can take many different forms, from pocket-size to a large backpack. Here are some of the more common ones and their primary uses.

Pocket Survival Kits are small enough to fit into your pocket and are often used by hikers, canoeists, cross country skiers, hunters, campers, or others who spend long periods of time outdoors and might become lost, stranded, or abandoned. They are kept on the person in case their gear is separated from them. A pocket survival kit includes all the essential tools, like a rescue whistle, a rescue signal, a compass, fire starter, duct tape, safety pins, a knife, fish hooks, and cords and threads, to keep you alive until help arrives.

Fanny Pack Survival Kits are carried on the person and hold enough supplies to survive for three days if left on your own. They are often used by hikers, bikers and campers, but also serve as an anytime emergency kit that can be stored in the car or at work for use when a crisis occurs. They generally include items that cover the basic categories of shelter, personal protection, warmth, rescue signaling, medical supplies, food and water, emergency tools and personal supplies.

Backpack Survival Kits are designed to hold emergency shelter, food and water, first aid, and light and signal supplies necessary for three days or longer. They are essential for anyone spending time outdoors, such as in the woods or on the water. Among the items they should include are a tube tent, a thermal blanket, a poncho, a first aid kit, a compass, rescue signals, a flashlight, a fire starter kit, a fishing kit, duct tape, food bars or meals ready to eat (MREs), water packets, a sewing kit, a folding shovel, cords and ropes, a multi-purpose tool and any other personal belongings, such as medications, that you can't be without for an extended period of time.

Backpack survival kits are also ideal to use as emergency preparedness at home, in your vehicle, or at work in the event of a crisis, disaster, or major catastrophe. Designate one backpack for each family member and include all the necessary essentials.

Over Water Survival Kits are for situation where you might need to survive for a few hours or a few days on the water. They are used by pilots and passengers of small aircraft, boaters, fishermen, and homeowners who live in areas that rely on hurricane barriers or a levy system to keep water away from residential areas. In creating an emergency kit for over water, include emergency food supplies, a water canteen, an emergency blanket, an emergency breathing device, a shade hat with neck flap, sunglasses, bandannas, waterproof sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent, anti-motion sickness medicine, a fishing kit, buoyant rescue reflectors, a strobe light, a flashlight, lithium batteries, an emergency whistle, a compass, and a windproof and waterproof fire starter kit.

Whether going about your daily routine, spending a weekend outdoors, or taking a vacation, survival kits should be part of your planning. Take along the type that is best suited for your activities and include in them what you think will be needed to survive any type of situation that might arise. Or you can purchase survival kits already assembled with all the critical elements needed for your survival. After all, you never know when a survival kit could save your life.

Successful Disaster Recovery: It's All in the Planning

2010-03-23T02:06:00.000-07:00

In the information age, productivity miracles have become almost commonplace. But living digitally, also entails risk - the kind of risk that can bring a business to the precipice:

According to the National Archives and Records Administration, 93 percent of companies that lost their data centers for 10 days or more due to a disaster, filed for bankruptcy within a year of the disaster. Fifty percent of businesses filed for bankruptcy immediately.

When calculating hard and soft costs, the average company spends between $100,000 and $1,000,000 per year for desktop-oriented disasters - so reports the 7th Annual ICSA Lab's Virus Prevalence Survey.

A new Veritas Software/Dynamic Markets survey found that, three years after 9/11, 43 percent of organizations worldwide are still not ready to respond to a major disaster. The report, which surveyed 1,259 IT professionals around the world, found that only 38 percent claimed to have comprehensive, integrated disaster recovery and business continuity plans in place -- even though 92 percent acknowledged that serious consequences would result if they were faced with a major disruption to their IT infrastructure.
Big business is grimly aware that disaster recovery isn't the priority it should be. In a SunGard/Harris survey of Fortune 1000 companies, those responding gave themselves just a B when grading their company's ability to access business-critical data after a disaster.

For small and mid-size businesses, a disaster recovery plan is not just a good idea, it's a necessity. But whatever a company's size, the threat of disaster is real, with new virus and worm attacks launched regularly, threatening data and network security at every turn - and the pressure to protect information and business systems is not only economic but now comes with the full force of the law. Legislation such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), along with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and stringent SEC and IRS regulations, require many industry segments to provide information, safeguards in case of disaster.

For an organization whose very existence depends upon its Web-based applications, disaster can strike in any number of ways: viruses, worms, network failure, hardware crash, power outage, fire, natural disaster or cyber terrorist denial-of-service attack. But despite the growing threats, small and mid-size companies are especially vulnerable when it comes to disaster preparedness - in part because many lack both the consciousness to integrate disaster planning into the "normal" routine and the tools/staff to make preparedness happen.

According to a nationwide survey conducted for BroadSpire late last year, more than one-third of American workers are "quite" or "somewhat" concerned that a natural disaster or terrorist act could take out computer systems at work. Another survey, conducted by Imation, reports that about 30 percent of companies lack a formal disaster recovery strategy and 64 percent of companies say their data backup and disaster recovery plans have significant vulnerabilities.

Virtually every corporation of any appreciable size has an IT department staffed with people who are trained to analyze their company's level of preparedness and then enhance it, as needed. But smaller companies - many of which don't have any specialized IT knowledge in-house - must make a conscious effort to learn the vocabulary and practices of disaster preparedness.

Who's at Risk?

Nearly every small and mid-size company is vulnerable to the effects of a disaster to a certain extent, but businesses that have the most to lose are those that rely on e-commerce, email or other Web-based communication, and online collaboration tools to sustain their critical business functions. The more connected they are, the higher the risk and the more they have to lose.

Unfortunately, many smaller companies increase their own likelihood of encountering a disaster with indiscriminate processes - like installing random applications on computers without knowing the implications, opening email attachments from unfamiliar addresses and downloading trial versions of software and leaving them on the server. Technology redundancies, while helpful in many cases to keep things running, can cause a small failure to quickly turn catastrophic as it moves unimpeded throughout an entire network.

Further, small and mid-size businesses are perennially understaffed, often leaving preventative routines like data backup and virus software updates to fall by the wayside - making companies vulnerable to disaster and not prepared to mitigate the damage once a disaster occurs.

But disasters can be anticipated and planned for, and data and systems often can be recovered. All it takes is forethought and some preventative action. Disaster recovery plans are not just for the big guys. With so much riding on data integrity, no business can afford to ignore disaster planning. There are several basic steps a company of any size can incorporate to fend off disasters and increase the chances of recovery when one occurs.

Procedures as the Secrets to Prevention

Many of the most important steps in disaster recovery are inexpensive and relatively easy to implement. The key is developing procedures that mitigate risk while protecting critical business functions and information.

Begin by developing a clear, repeatable process for backing up data and your entire network -- and then make sure to follow through and do the backups faithfully, according to that schedule. This is the basis for all disaster recovery plans - even if it's just one person using the Windows backup software, copying data to a DVD or CD and taking that media home or to another location. It's basic, it has zero cost implications and it works.

The next key step is to make sure backups are in fact usable. According to a recent study by Storage Magazine, only half of all businesses ever test their tape backups and of those that do, 77 percent find they are unable to fully recover data from those tapes.

Retail virus detection software solutions provide another critical layer of protection, as long as they're kept up-to-date. In addition, install an email filtering program and keep Windows updates current.

Don't store everything - email, accounting software, customer database, etc. -- on one server. Distribute key data and applications on to more than one machine, so all is not lost if a system crashes.

Once all these pieces are in place, establish some company-wide guidelines to help prevent a virus-related disaster. These might include shutting down computers every night, a schedule of regular updates and patches, periodic password changes, rules about opening email attachments, guidelines on how to protect data while working in public places (like airplanes or Starbuck's), and tips on how to ensure the physical security of laptop computers and actual office buildings.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Any business that has data to lose should have a disaster recovery plan in place. It doesn't require an IT expert - in fact, there's software available that helps companies format their own plans. Some key elements of a good plan include:

Assignments - Employees need clear-cut roles once a disaster happens, and these need to be determined before disaster strikes. For example, someone should be in charge of communications (working with the phone company or email host to re-establish connection, if necessary), another person can oversee data recovery, someone else can make sure the company Website is accessible, etc.
A communication plan - Provide a list of key cell phone numbers to employees to keep handy in case you lose phones and email. Have someone designated to call important contacts - clients, vendors, partners - to tell them what's going on and how to reach you in the meantime. Make arrangements in advance with your host (if applicable) to provide a backup email system to access during or after a disaster, to keep critical business communications flowing.

Vendors - Have a list of vendors to contact for help. This is critical, and should be documented somewhere accessible. Keep hard copies in the office and off-site (possibly at home), and post a version in a secure area of your Website or your host's Website.

Priorities - Examine your company's data and business functions, and rank them in order of importance to establish a protocol of recovery - making sure your limited resources are focused on the information and applications that are most critical to your business' survival. Practice this in order to verify that it works and makes sense.

Training - Train your employees. Individual users are security's weakest link. Having proper procedures in place is only effective if all employees know them and follow them. Conduct periodic disaster drills to reinforce the procedures set forth in your plan and the roles that have been assigned.

Outside Help - Look to Your Host

If your company works with a Web hosting company, your host can do a variety of things to protect data and Web functions in case of disaster, speeding up recovery time significantly.

For starters, ask your host to keep your contact and vendor lists in a secure, web-accessible location outside the company's data center. This may not seem important at the moment, but after a fire the last thing you want is to realize the only surviving copy of these lists is stored at the home of your former business manager - who moved out of state two years earlier.

Also ask your host to provide an instant messaging platform to serve as the critical communications system between all employees when disaster strikes, a backup email system to capture corporate email and prevent "bounces" during an outage at the main data center, and a "hot" standby email system for communication during disasters. This system will work when company email doesn't, and will allow all employees to communicate with one another - with all communications stored in backups.

Make sure your host can provide you with a geographically diverse DNS and a dedicated server to allow corporate Websites to stay online even during a disaster. This service either can move corporate Web traffic to this standby server, or simply display a notice to end-users. Traffic can shift back to corporate data centers once the outage has been rectified.

Make Your Own Preparedness Kit

2010-03-23T01:59:00.000-07:00

An emergency survival kit is a collection of emergency supplies that are stored in a sturdy bag or container. This is also sometimes called a 72 hour kit or emergency supplies kit. If a disaster strikes, it can take several days for help to arrive, and if you have not put together a survival kit, you will be out of luck. You are responsible for the safety and well being of your family and it makes sense to prepare ahead of time for an emergency. The Red Cross and other organizations recommend storing at least 3 days worth of food, clothes and other necessary emergency supplies. You can purchase an emergency survival kit or you can follow the tips below to put together one on your own.

Step 1

When deciding what to put in your emergency survival kit, think about the basic things that you would need to survive. You need water, food, clothing, shelter, hygienic needs, medical needs, basic tools and something to hold everything in. Think about how much space you have available and how much money you want to spend. You can always begin a very basic kit and then add things over time as funds allow.
Step 2

Get a container. A large bag with a shoulder strap or a backpack are ideal, but you can also use a bucket with a tight fitting lid. The container should be sturdy, well made, preferably waterproof and portable. You may not have access to a car and may need to travel some distance so make sure that your emergency survival kit can be easily carried.
Step 3

Store some water. Water is one of the hardest things to add to your survival kit because it takes up so much space and is heavy. It is also one of the most important. You should include 1 gallon of water in a reusable container that can be closed tightly. Store 2 more gallons of water next to your kit so that you can grab them if you have the time and space. Also include water purification tablets so that you can get more drinking water if necessary. You can purify more water in the empty gallon water container.
Step 4

Consider your hygiene needs. Include a roll of toilet paper, hand soap, hand sanitizer, a wash cloth, a tooth brush, toothpaste, a brush or comb and tampons. You can find sample sizes of most items to save space. Place all of these items in a gallon zip lock freezer bag. Also include several garbage bags and zip lock bags to dispose of waste.
Step 5

Include a type of shelter. What you do here depends on your budget and the space available in your emergency survival kit. At the very least, include 2 tarps and plenty of rope so that you can make a make-shift tent. If you can, include a small backpacking tent. Also include 1 or 2 blankets.
Step 6

Add your clothing. You should include one complete change of clothing. You need a short sleeved shirt, a long sleeved shirt, pants, socks, shoes and underwear. Also include a coat and a poncho.
Step 7

Pack some food. Include enough food in your emergency survival kit to last 3 days. The food should be able to be eaten without being cooked, need little or no water and should not need to be refrigerated. See my article about choosing food for your emergency kit for ideas. Include a can opener even if you don't plan on including any cans.
Step 8

Include a first aid kit. You can buy a first aid kit or put together your own. Your kit should include sterile gauze, elastic bandages, medical tape, latex gloves, bandanas, iodine or antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, saline solution, a thermometer, tweezers, sharp scissors, first aid manual and pain reliever. Also include any prescription medicines that you take on a regular basis or supplies for known medical emergencies such as epinephrine kits. Keep your first aid supplies together by storing them in a zip lock bag or other container.
Step 9

Gather together emergency supplies. For this category you can store the most essential supplies inside of your emergency survival kit and then have everything else stored nearby so that you can grab them if you have the time or space. Keep a list next to your kit of everything stored outside of your kit and where it is located. Inside your kit you should have a small shovel, a compass, a pocket knife, a battery powered emergency radio, flashlights, batteries, matches, a lighter, candles, pen, paper, hatchet, rope, thread, needle, tools to turn off your utilities and duct tape. Outside of your kit you could have a cooking pot, camp stove, fuel, lantern, axe and other tools.
Step 10

Don't forget to include copies of important documents. These aren't necessary for survival, but having them handy can make things infinitely easier as you try to put your life and home back together. Include copies of birth certificates, social security cards, marriage certificates, insurance policies, bank account information, credit card information and phone numbers of friends, family and other important people. Also include $50 in small bills and quarters and dimes for phone calls. Don't include the original documents, just copies. more info please visit web site:- http://www.disasterrecoverystore.com/

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