California's Businesses Get 'Ready to Ride It Out?'; Business & Industry Preparedness Week is April 16 Through 22 During the 17th Annual Earthquake Preparedness Month.

News/Business Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2000

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) is asking businesses throughout the state to take a more active role in preparing their employees and their workplace for the inevitable next quake during the second week of April's California Earthquake Preparedness Month campaign.

"Just as businesses make plans to be competitive in the marketplace, they should also be prepared and plan to deal with earthquakes before they occur," said OES Director Dallas Jones. "Not only could it make a difference for each individual worker, it also could have a significant impact on the ability of the business to continue in operation after a quake."

Jones urges California businesses to answer these questions: Does the company have disaster and business resumption plans? Are all employees familiar with the safety procedures and is their safety being considered? Does the company hold regular emergency drills? Are measures in place for retrieving computer data that may be lost in a power outage?

This year's California Earthquake Preparedness Month campaign is based on understanding seismic risk, highlighting the location and number of active earthquake faults in California stressing the importance of being prepared. The 2000 campaign also focuses on mitigating non-structural hazards such as securing tall furniture, water heaters, appliances, mirrors, office equipment and other items that could break loose and cause injury.

For more information about earthquake preparedness, visit the OES Web site at www.oes.ca.gov or call your local Office of Emergency Services or the American Red Cross.