Q: What is BEPA?
BEPA is a program offered by the American Red Cross Illinois Capital Area Chapter, designed to facilitate emergency preparedness and planning for business and industry.

Q: How does BEPA achieve that mission?
BEPA helps business and industry prepare for, respond to, and recover from business interruptions resulting from natural or man-made disasters, terrorist attacks, information technology failures, and other crisis events. BEPA provides a forum for education and networking opportunities among its business and industry members, vendors, and government agencies.

Q: Isn’t that why companies have insurance?
Insurance is certainly a helpful tool to use during disaster recovery, but it isn’t the solution. Insurance doesn’t win back customers that leave because you are unable to serve them or bring back productive employees who see no future in a company that has just suffered a disaster. An up-to- date, tested disaster recovery plan that addresses all the critical functions a business performs is the best way to insure your business will survive.

Q: What are some reasons organizations don’t have these types of plans in place already?
There are many common reasons why businesses don’t develop and maintain contingency plans. The number one reason is perceived invulnerability. People think that simply because we don’t live in earthquake or hurricane territory, disasters don’t affect us. Also, people overestimate their insurance coverage and its benefits and think they will make good decisions in a crisis. The reality is, insurance alone is not the answer and people almost never make the best decisions in a crisis situation unless they have been trained.

Q: What are some disasters that have affected Springfield?
On the night of March 12, 2006, Springfield experienced two devastating tornados. Those tornadoes caused massive damage to many businesses, forcing many businesses to close for long periods of time -- some closing permanently. Of course some of the more common disasters, like fires and floods, can have an equally devastating effect on unprepared business, and let's not forget the winter storms. The disaster doesn't have to be aimed at your business for your business to be affected. The Oklahoma City bombing destroyed the Murrah Building, but affected another 300 businesses as well, some as many as ten blocks away. The Twin Towers disaster caused physical damage to several other businesses in the vicinity that suffered simply by having access to their building closed off. In fact, studies over the years have shown that an astounding 94% of businesses that are affected by disaster will close their doors within two years.

Q: How does BEPA get its funding?
BEPA is a membership organization of the American Red Cross. BEPA’s operating budget is generated by membership dues paid by organizations and other fees for services. We do not receive

other funding for this program.

Q: What about small businesses? Do they need to plan?
Small businesses may need to plan more than anyone else. We’ve already said that pre-planning is the most effective way to mitigate the economic and human impacts of any disaster. Many large businesses can survive a disaster based on large cash reserves and virtually unlimited manpower. Smaller businesses need to plan carefully because they cannot afford mistakes during a disaster.

Q: What types of businesses should develop contingency plans?
Every business could be affected by a disaster and should plan for them. BEPA members are found in many industries, including health care, manufacturing, nonprofit, retail, financial, real estate, utilities, communications and vendors.