Disaster Comes In Many Forms

But human-caused disasters pose a threat too, according to Bobbie Collins, who owns Business Risk Solutions, a Sonoma Valley consulting company.

Theft, embezzlement, blackouts and loss of key employees also can put companies out of business, at least temporarily, she said.

"Businesses can use a plan for both," said Collins, a former U.S. banking regulator who now advises companies on disaster risks and recovery planning.

Collins will be one of the speakers Wednesday at a Santa Rosa conference to help businesses prepare for disasters. In addition to speakers, the conference will feature vendors of emergency supplies and services.

More than 70 percent of U.S. small businesses don't have a disaster plan, according to a private survey commissioned by Office Depot.

Of businesses hit by disaster, 43 percent of those without an emergency plan never reopen, according to Hartford Financial Services Group.

At Wednesday's conference, business owners will learn how to make a disaster plan and tap local emergency resources.

They should consider things like a flu pandemic, said Tim Miller, who heads the Sonoma-Mendocino chapter of the American Red Cross.

"If nobody shows up for work it's a disaster for your business," he said.

Floods, fires and earthquakes pose more obvious risks for companies in Sonoma County, he said.

While seismic activity may cause structural damage, earthquakes also can spark disastrous fires. Broken gas lines are the most common cause of quake-related fires.

"If you have a fire, you can lose everything," said Dean Collis of ABK Earthquake Gas Valve Installers in Santa Rosa.

He installs automatic shutoff valves on gas meters at homes and businesses. The devices automatically cut off gas flow to structures when there's an earthquake, reducing the risk of fire.

Home and business owners can shut off the gas manually after a quake, but many people don't know how to do it, said Collis, who will have an exhibit at Wednesday's event.

Automatic shutoff valves are required by some California counties, but they're not mandated in Sonoma County, he said. They cost less than $400 to install, Collis said.

"They've saved hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and lots of lives," he said.

Businesses should have disaster kits on hand, said Jim Henderson, co-owner of NationReady.com, a Santa Rosa company that sells emergency preparedness products.

NationReady, which will have a display at Wednesday's event, markets a "Business Disaster Solution Kit" with enough food, water and supplies for eight people for at least three days.

It comes in two 5-gallon plastic buckets that can be converted to toilets or water containers in case of emergency.

The kit also has hand-cranked flashlights and radios, first-aid supplies, blankets, light sticks, matches, dust masks and other gear. It costs $350.

"If something happens and you need to shelter in place it's smart to have supplies on hand," said Henderson. "You may not be able to get home for a number of days."

You can reach Staff Writer Steve Hart at 521-5205 or steve.hart@pressdemocrat.com.