In the unfortunate event of a business emergency, the Emergency Response Unit can help a business:

• Gain access to their premises
• Apply for available emergency assistance - including government programs and private insurance
• Communicate with other City Agencies

How the Emergency Response Unit
Responds to Emergencies

Definition
A business emergency is any event that disrupts business operations. These events include fires, floods, ruptured water mains, building collapse or explosion, power outages, and terrorist attacks. 

Notification
In the event of a business emergency, the Emergency Response Unit is contacted by agencies or organizations, including:

• Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Local Development Corporations (LDC)
• Merchant Associations
• Business Improvement District (BID)
• Community Boards
• Offices of local politicians (City Councilmembers, Assemblymembers, etc.)

Site Visit
Upon arrival at a business emergency, the Emergency Response Unit staff will coordinate with an official from one or all of the following agencies:

• Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Department of Buildings (DOB)
• Fire Department (FDNY)
• Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
• Police Department (NYPD)

The Emergency Response Unit will be informed of the severity of the emergency (in some cases OEM will have a command center on-site to exchange vital information and updates) and will identify and visit those businesses impacted by the disaster. 

Steps to Recovery
In any business emergency, the Emergency Response Unit’s first purpose is to provide the impacted business owner(s) with information that is sometimes difficult for them to obtain from the other agencies on-site. Some of the information provided includes:

• When it is safe to return to a building
• How extensive damage is to merchandise or equipment
• When temporary access is possible to retrieve belongings
• How to temporarily re-route utility services (e.g. phone service)

Secondary Recovery Assistance
Once the immediate emergency has been resolved, the Emergency Response Unit will start secondary assistance procedures (whether or not the business has resumed operations), which include:

• Coordinating meetings with impacted businesses and City Agencies to exchange information
• Helping businesses obtain official FDNY, DEP, DOB reports
• Referring businesses to The State Insurance Department for unbiased answers to insurance questions
• Contacting the DOB/DEP/FDNY for official reports on building or infrastructure conditions
• Providing information to businesses about financial assistance opportunities (loans,grants, etc.)

You can contact the the Emergency Response Unit either via email or by calling 311 and asking for NYC Business Solutions. You can also stop by a NYC Business Solutions Center, where a counselor will put you in touch with the team.

Ready New York (Guide)
Ready New York for Business outlines simple steps business owners and entrepreneurs can take to prepare for any emergency.  This guide contains practical and actionable advice to help businesses protect their employees and enhance a company's ability to recover from financial loss resulting from business interruption or damage to facilities and inventory.