Chamber Applauds DHS Business Preparedness Campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce with the Department of Homeland Security and the Ad Council today launched Ready Business 2005—an advertising campaign to educate businesses on how to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies.

"Having an emergency plan in place protects a company's operations, assets, and employees," said Chamber Chair, Maura Donahue, and President, DonahueFavret Contractors Holding Company. "The Ready Business program provides practical tools that businesses can use to prepare for national emergencies or disasters."

Expanding on DHS' successful Ready campaign—which helps individuals and families prepare for emergencies—the Ready Business effort is designed to assist small- and medium-size businesses develop emergency preparedness plans and provide guidance to help businesses talk to their employees and protect their investments.

At a Chamber event today with DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, the agency unveiled new business-specific public service advertisements which will launch nationally in November and focus on the affordability and ease of business continuity planning. It will also encourage businesses to visit the Ready Business campaign Web site for information and free resources (http://www.ready.gov/).

The Chamber has also supported DHS' preparedness efforts by co-sponsoring an employee readiness resource guide, and communicating to its membership steps they can take to protect their businesses.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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