Corporate & Personal DRP Planning - Are You Ready?

Anyone involved in corporate Disaster Recovery Planning ("DRP") planning knows the importance of formulating detailed business redundancy plans and then testing those plans rigorously. Even one lost day of productivity can cost a company millions of lost revenue. A "Business Contingency", AKA "Disaster", includes a wide range of potential disruptions such as snow storms, flooding, loss of power, technology failures, fire, earthquakes, and terrorism. DRP plans typically cover operational recovery, staff safety, communication plans, data backup, and more.

The recent fires in Western North Carolina, where I live, have brought PERSONAL DRP to mind. Everyone has heard of the 15 minute "Grab Bag". That bag typically includes a few difficult to replace items like important papers (passports, wills, birth and marriage certificates, deeds), financial items (spare cash, checkbook, credit cards), technology (cell phone, charger, laptop computer), health (medicine, toiletries), valuables (jewelry) sustenance (water, some food). Most people don't have all of those items in one bag but know where they are and, in theory, could collect them in 15 minutes and then depart.

Having just evacuated our home and not knowing if it will be there when we return I offer these insights for PERSONAL DRP Planning:

1. If all you are going to take is a grab bag at least have a list of what you want in it. In the heat of the moment you will forget something so the list will help you remember the key things you need. Even better, for each item on your list note where it is located in your home.

2. If you have advanced notice of a pending potential disaster (like an approaching fire or large storm) and can escape in a vehicle you have the luxury of taking more things. This is where people typically do not plan. With the slow approaching fires we had the opportunity to proactively take a "Grab Car" load of stuff. So what goes in the car? This will vary by person but here is our list from this recent personal experience:

- Photos and photo albums

-More records like taxes from past years

- Clothing

- Portable things that bring JOY. Again, this is a personal choice so it will vary by person. I took, for example, my two marathon medals, a few curios, and a book my deceased mother inscribed for me as a gift. I also brought my tennis, running, and hiking kits since those activities bring me joy.

A key thing to remember with advance notice is that you many need a DAY to pack up all of the things for the "grab car". This is NOT a 15 minute drill so take advantage of this advance notice and get ready. If you don't, the risk is you'll be left with the 15 minute warning and will only be able to take the "grab bag".

3. Fill your car with gas and get extra cash from the bank early on.

People don't plan to fail - They fail to plan