If you are a business owner or manager in the Greater Springfield area, you are a leader in our community and have the opportunity to set an example for your employees and customers to follow. September is National Preparedness Month (NPM). Join the Greater Springfield Chamber in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types and leading efforts to encourage your community as a whole to become more prepared.
 
Disasters not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities, including businesses of all sizes. As an employer in our community, having a business continuity plan can help protect your company, its employees and its infrastructure, and maximizes your chances of recovery after an emergency or disaster.

The Ready Campaign, with support from a wide range of businesses and organizations across the nation, is focusing NPM on encouraging individuals, families and businesses to take active steps toward becoming Ready. We must work together as a team to ensure that our businesses and families are Ready.
 
Ready Business, an extension of the Ready Campaign, helps business owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations and assets in the event of an emergency. The business section of www.ready.gov contains vital information for businesses on how to get started preparing their business and their unique needs during an emergency.

Ready Business asks companies to take three simple steps: plan to stay in business; encourage your people to become Ready and protect your investment.

For more information on NPM, or for help preparing your business, call 1-800-BE-READY or visit www.ready.gov/business where business owners can download or order free Ready information, publications, and much more.