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news&Notes Preparedness Is Good Business New competitors, staffing shortages, power outages, or a cyber incident: all challenges your organization faces. What you may not realize is that when you respond to these issues, you are already applying the core principles of emergency management. At the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), our vision is built on three simple but impactful words: Prepare, Support, Recover. These principles guide our work 365 days a year as we strive to reduce risk across the state. They are the same principles that help organizations not only thrive, but at times survive. A critical first step is understanding the hazards that exist in Delaware and those specific to your organization. Once identified, you can begin preparing for them.
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RISK IN DELAWARE
Through our planning efforts, DEMA identifies and prepares for risks across several categories, including natural hazards, technological hazards, infrastructure failures, public health emergencies, terrorism, transportation incidents, and social and civil emergencies. As history dictates, Delaware’s greatest hazard is water. From coastal storms, inland flooding, or even frozen pipes, water-related events can threaten lives and damage infrastructure. However, we plan for a wide range of scenarios, as both natural and human-caused events can disrupt our way of life. In the last few months, we have experienced major snow events, communication outages, frigid temperatures, transportation incidents, and senseless acts of violence.
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BY A.J. SCHALL JR.
HAZARDS TO YOUR BUSINESS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO
Just as you regularly review your insurance coverage, it is equally important to review both the internal and external risks facing your organization. Cyber incidents, for example, are increasing at an alarming rate. These events can impact not only your bottom line, but also your reputation, your employees, and, most importantly, your customers. It is easy to assume “it won’t happen to us” or to push planning off until tomorrow. However, when disruptions occur, time is the one thing you cannot get back. The best time to prepare is now. Many organizations have a business continuity plan, but when was the last time you reviewed it? Is it up to date? Does it include a crisis communication strategy? If your email system goes down, can you still reach your employees? Do you have current phone numbers or alternative contact methods? These are simple questions, but they can make a significant difference during a crisis. Emergency management is often about expecting the unexpected. While we all hope to avoid major disruptions, experience tells us they will happen. Taking time now to identify your risks and ensure your plans are accurate and actionable is one of the most valuable
investments you can make. There are also many resources available to support you, including guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Finally, remember that when disasters strike, they impact not only organizations, but entire communities. Your business is part of that community. In times of crisis, you may need help, but a well-prepared business can also be part of the solution.
A.J. Schall Jr. is a director and homeland security advisor at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.
May/June 2026
| DELAWARE BUSINESS
4/28/26 2:34 PM