Many businesses, such as those in Colorado, are in areas where there is the potential for wildfires. Wildfires are an uncontrolled fire that typically starts in an area with dry vegetation of some kind, like grass or trees, and spreads rapidly. There are some precautions you can take to be as prepared as possible for such an event.
One of the most important steps you can take is to make sure that you and your business are alerted to any imminent threat of wildfire before it reaches you. This can be done by connecting with any community emergency warning system or organization. Those warning systems should be included with alerts from the Emergency Alert System and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additionally, air quality alerts can let you know if the risk is high or low. Finally, maintaining a familiarity with any community evacuation plans or shelter areas is important, and such information should be included in your Emergency Response Plan and when training your employees. As a last note, if your business has any animals, you will also need to include them in any plans you make.
There are also measures that can be taken to harden your business against the threat of fire in general, and wildfire in particular. By storing sensitive information in fireproof containers you can keep it safe in the event of fire. Also, when renovating, make sure to use fireproof materials where possible. More specific to wildfires, if possible, create a fire-resistant zone around your place of business. It should be approximately 30 feet wide and should be free of leaves, debris, or any other flammable materials.
When in a high-risk area for events such as wildfires, it is important to make them part of your Emergency Response Plan. By being prepared, you can keep your employees and customers safe.
For additional information contact a representative at Gate Keepers Fire & Safety at (303) 915-3670 or click here to send us a message.