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Academy helps businesses, schools prepare for disasters

Colorado has experienced some significant disasters in the last few years. Disasters of this magnitude affect everyone directly or indirectly. Small businesses always are hit hard during and after a disaster, and studies show that up to 40 percent of small businesses fail to reopen after a natural or human-made disaster.

To help businesses, schools and organizations get better prepared, the Red Cross will host the Rocky Mountain Business Preparedness Academy on Sept. 30 at the Cable Center in Denver. The all-day academy, sponsored by Bellco Credit Union, is open to businesses, schools and community members throughout the Rocky Mountain region and will feature expert speakers on a range of preparedness topics that are beneficial for businesses both small and large, as well as for nonprofits, faith-based organizations, schools and community groups.

Keynote speakers for the academy will be Lyons Mayor and business owner John O’Brien and Guy Grace, director of security and emergency planning at Littleton Public Schools.

Featured topics at the Business Preparedness Academy will include:

Insider threat/active shooter.

Cybersecurity.

Crisis communication plans.

How to write a memorandum of understanding and a mutual aid agreement.

TTX (Table Top Exercise): A walk-through of the first 36 hours of a disaster.

Be Red Cross Ready: Individual preparedness training for staff.

Introduction to the Ready Rating preparedness program.

Our hope is that by offering these types of events we can make Colorado the best-prepared state in the country.

Colleen Johnson is executive director of the Southwest Colorado chapter of the American Red Cross. Reach her at 259-6642.

If you go

Registration is open for the Rocky Mountain Business Preparedness Academy, which will take place Sept. 30 at the Cable Center in Denver.

The cost is $25 per person for general participants and $10 per person for Red Cross Ready Rating members.

For more information and to register visit www.redcross.org/RMBPA.

Keynote speakers have been lined up for the event, but the Red Cross is seeking more presenters. If you are an expert in a field of corporate, community or disaster preparedness and would like to present at the academy, call Troy Staples at (303) 607-4767 or email troy.staples@redcross.org.



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