American Red Cross and FedEx announce collaboration to help small businesses

A national survey of small businesses conducted by the American Red Cross and FedEx Corp. found that while 94 percent of small business owners believe there is a potential for a disaster to seriously disrupt their business within the next two years, only 43 percent feel prepared for a one week disruption of their business, and 22 percent feel prepared for a one month disruption. Importantly, many businesses do want to become better prepared, with almost a quarter of respondents indicating they are planning on taking steps to prepare their businesses for disaster.

Based on these findings, the American Red Cross and FedEx Corp. will create tools to help small businesses get prepared.

FedEx and the Red Cross have been working together to examine small business disaster preparedness because of the important role small businesses play in the national and global economy, as well as the safety and strength of the communities in which they are located.

Having responded to more than 75,000 disasters nationwide last year, we have seen first hand how businesses with trained employees, protected resources and plans for operational continuity can decrease the physical and financial impact of a disaster, and lessen the burden on first responders, said Darlene Sparks Washington, Director of Preparedness for the American Red Cross. All businesses should have a disaster plan, but for small businesses, being prepared can make a difference in being able to stay in business after a disaster.

The survey data is especially relevant considering that one in four businesses do not reopen after a major disaster such as a flood, tornado or earthquake, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, and considering that small businesses account for more than 99 percent of businesses in the United States alone.