Frequently asked questions
Below are some common queries about major incidents, emergency planning and business continuity strategies. Click on the question to see the answer, or just scroll down the page.
- What is a business continuity plan?
- How long will it take to create a business continuity plan?
- What will it cost to create a business continuity plan?
- Why should I use a business continuity plan?
- Why have you split the guides according to the number of people in each business?
- My business differs from most, willthe guides still help me?
- Does a small company need a Business Continuity Plan?
- How should a company communicate a business continuity plan to its employees?
- What systems should be in place to assist with a fast recovery programme?
- What is the role of the emergency services in case of a major incident?
- What other organisations give advise on crisis management/ advise on contingency plans and how to deal with disaster?
- What are the essential items that should be contained in an emergency pack?
- What is London Resilience?
1. What is a business continuity plan?
A business continuity plan should be a set of instructions of what to do, and what not to do, at the time of a crisis. It is often created by someone, or a group of people, who know how the whole business is run.
Business continuity is about thinking ahead and planning for a crisis that could affect your business, making sure that it can survive. In short, it is about ensuring that a crisis does not become a disaster.
2. How long will it take to create a business continuity plan?
It should not take long to create your first plan but obviously this will depend on the complexity of your business. The smaller the size of your business, generally the less time it is likely to take.
3. What will it cost to create a business continuity plan?
The cost will be relatively little and at the end of the exercise you will have a plan to protect your business. The benefits of having a working continuity plan will out-weigh any small expenditure.
4. Why should I use a business continuity plan?
- Experience shows that businesses are far more likely to survive a disaster if they have thought about it in advance, and planned accordingly.
- Banks, investors, insurers, customers and suppliers will take a company that has a business continuity plan much more seriously.
- Business continuity plans build employee confidence. Employees will appreciate the fact that the business is doing all it can to protect their safety and place of work.
- In the end, business continuity is about responsible management. It makes a business a safer place to work and contributes to financial stability.
5. Why have you split the guides according to the number of people in each business?
Although the basics of business recovery planning remain the same, they tend to become more complicated the larger the organisation.
6. My business differs from most, willthe guides still help me?
Obviously some specialist businesses may have slightly different needs from another, so we recommend that you browse through the site to choose the best approach for you. Alternatively, if you already have a business Continuity plan you may find some extra tips, advice or links to other useful sites with more specific advice.
7. Does a small company need a Business Continuity Plan?
Yes, even a sole trader is advised to have systems in place to be able to continue his/ her work in case of fraud, theft, sabotage, flooding, fire, IT and utility failures and terrorist attacks.
8. How should a company communicate a business continuity plan to its employees?
Without due alarm. The plan should be communicated to all employees in an easy to understand, accessible format that emphasises the company's commitment to business Continuity management.
9. What systems should be in place to assist with a fast recovery programme?
It is very important to focus on keeping back-ups and copies of documents off-site, as well as having a plan that focuses on your mission critical activities and caters for an alternative site to work from.
10. What is the role of the emergency services in case of a major incident?
Go to the London Emergency Services Liaison Panel's website, for an explanation of the role of the emergency services.
11. What other organisations give advise on crisis management/ advise on contingency plans and how to deal with disaster?
You will find useful links to other sites on our Protecting yourself section.
12. What are the essential items that should be contained in an emergency pack?
Take a look at our list of essential and useful items and contact details.
13. What is London Resilience?
The London Resilience Partnership represents the many organisations that make up the fabric of the capital. Hosted by the Government Office for London, the team works with secondees from London's three police services, the fire brigade, the ambulance service, health, local authorities, utility companies, voluntary organisations, the GLA and Transport for London as well as drawing upon the know-how of many other agencies.
We are building on the existing emergency plans, testing them to make sure that they work and learning how to improve them, to ensure London a remains a safe place in which to live, work and visit. The expertise of the Partnership, plus input from the business community is preparing London to cope with the consequences of major fire, major flood, power failure or a terrorist attack.
