The incredible BICEPP Program, SAY WHAT? 30 Questions Businesses Must Ask BEFORE Disaster Strikes, got us thinking.

First of all, if you are not a member of BICEPP, why not? It is just $50 a year, it's been around for more than four decades, AND it is the only non-profit we know of completely dedicated to helping Emergency Managers, in the public AND private sector, plan and prepare for all sorts of disasters. So, check them out at bicepp.org

Next, the 30 questions presentation itself has one question in particular we'd never considered. It is HAS YOUR ORGANIZATION CONSIDERED POTENTIAL RISKS TO YOUR BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF YOUR ORGANIZATION? We brought this down to our home and where we live. We never thought of potential risks outside of our home. When we consider that, there are three that come to mind.

1) There is a precarious concrete wall on the route out of where we park that looks ready to fall over right now, let alone in an earthquake. Should that fall over, We won't be driving anywhere after an earthquake.

2) There is a gas station down the one road away from our place. Should that become a danger, we won't be heading that way.

3) Beyond the gas station, there is a freeway overpass on the way to the freeway itself.

Now, none of these may end up being a problem, and it is not our job to mitigate the risk in those locations. What IS our job is to figure out what we plan to do should they become an issue after an earthquake.

We remember at least one business being red tagged after the Napa earthquake, not because of damage to the building the business was in, but because of damage to the building next door. So, even though the business was just fine and could carry on with operations, they were shut down. And that led to even more problems.

It's essential to consider all aspects of what can happen to a business after an earthquake, even the not so obvious ones. Secure your space is a great idea. Embracing your disaster ahead of time is an even better one.