When a disaster strikes a business or university, insurance and government agencies can be counted on to help replace lost or damaged facilities, equipment and supplies. However, these same agencies do not protect or replace the knowledge, systems and procedures that make an institution function.

Business continuity plans can help you map out how your department can continue its mission during the repair and reconstruction phase of disaster recovery. These plans allow you to develop a way to continue research, education, employment and dissemination of paychecks after disaster strikes.

The Homeland Security & Emergency Management Division offers UC Ready, an online business continuity planning tool, for all UCSF departments, divisions and labs. This award-winning tool, developed at UC Berkeley, is being evaluated for implementation by more than 70 institutions of higher education across the nation.

For more information about UC Ready, or to set up training, contact Esther Silver at 415/476-6887 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .