A new public-service announcement from a consortium of agencies will promote FEMA’s Ready Business program, developed to help prepare employers and employees for an emergency. The television, radio, print, outdoor and Web public-education campaign will encourage owners of small- to medium-sized businesses to prepare and to plan in advance of an emergency to reduce the risk of losing their business or employees’ lives, Administrator Craig Fugate said publicly. The consortium includes FEMA, the Advertising Council and the American Red Cross.

An Ad Council survey reported that nearly 62% of small businesses respondents admitted they didn’t have an emergency plan in place for their business. By taking steps ahead of time, many of these businesses can be better prepared to survive and to recover after an emergency, Fugate said.

“Businesses small and large make up the backbone of economies in communities across our country,” he said. “Putting a disaster plan in motion now will improve the likelihood that businesses and organizations will not only survive and recover themselves, but also help their neighbors and communities recover more quickly.”

FEMA encourages fire leadership to promote and to educate local business owners about the free, interactive tool that “provides a clear picture of the preparedness level of their business and what further steps they need to take to get their business ready,” according to the agency.