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What You Can Do to Prepare for an EMP

As a small business owner, it is important to be prepared for unexpected events that can impact your operations. One such event is an EMP (electromagnetic pulse), which can disrupt power grids and cause a widespread power outage. If an EMP occurs and your business is left without power, there are several steps you can take to mitigate the impact and ensure business continuity.

1) Assess the situation

The first step is to assess the situation and understand the extent of the damage. If the EMP has caused a widespread power outage, it is likely that other businesses and households in the area are also affected. In such cases, it may take some time for power to be restored. If the outage is limited to your business, it may be possible to restore power using a backup generator or other power source.

2) Activate your emergency plan

Every business should have an emergency plan in place to deal with unexpected events such as an EMP. If you haven’t already done so, activate your emergency plan and ensure that your employees are aware of the situation and know what to do. Your emergency plan should include procedures for communication, evacuation, and business continuity.

3) Prioritize critical operations

If your business relies on electricity to operate, you may need to prioritize critical operations to ensure that your business can continue to function during the outage. This may include focusing on essential tasks and postponing non-essential operations until power is restored.

4) Consider alternative power sources

If the outage is likely to be prolonged, you may need to consider alternative power sources such as backup generators, solar panels, or wind turbines. While these options may require an initial investment, they can provide reliable power in the event of a power outage.

5) Communicate with customers and suppliers

If your business relies on customers or suppliers, it is important to communicate with them and keep them informed about the situation. Let your customers know if you are experiencing a power outage and provide them with updates as the situation evolves. Similarly, communicate with your suppliers to ensure that they are aware of the situation and can adjust their operations accordingly.  Cell towers might have been affected by the EMP as well, so consider that not many people may have the ability to communicate via cellular devices.  A Satellite phone might be a consideration.

6) Protect your equipment

During a power outage, it is important to protect your equipment from damage caused by power surges when power is restored. Unplug your equipment from the power source and use surge protectors to protect against voltage spikes. Additionally, consider investing in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to provide temporary power during the outage and protect against power surges.

7) Use MPVEX disaster avoidance

Assuming that the EMP is regional and not global, Metropark’s Voice Exchange (MPVEX) was built to avoid power outages as MPVEX was created in multiple data centers throughout North America.  Should your business suffer a power outage, your phone communications will continue to operate for those unaffected by the outage, hence the name, disaster avoidance.

In conclusion, an EMP and power outage can have a significant impact on small businesses. However, by being prepared and taking the necessary steps to mitigate the impact, you can ensure business continuity and protect your operations.  Metropark can assist with your emergency plan and providing certain devices to be ready for outages.  Remember to assess the situation, activate your emergency plan, prioritize critical operations, consider alternative power sources, communicate with customers and suppliers, protect your equipment, and consider MPVEX disaster avoidance.

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