Hurricane Season Preparation Tips for Small Business Owners Additional information and tips for disaster preparedness can be found at …

Fact Sheet ATT Disaster Preparedness 2008 Hurricane Season

Millions of residential and business customers depend on ATT for critical voice, data and video communications as well as entertainment services ATT is committed to delivering the highest levels of service quality and reliability for customers under all circumstances Network Preparations A critical element of ATTs efforts to maximize network reliability is the companys ability to swiftly respond when disaster strikes ATT monitors and maintains its networks 24/7 and conducts readiness drills throughout the year to ensure that the networks and personnel are ready to respond in a moments notice Network preparations include: Adding capacity to the wireless network to accommodate increased call volume Testing the high-capacity backup batteries located at every cell site Maintaining a robust backup power plan, which includes deploying extended battery life and portable generators, and maintaining existing fixed generators Topping off generators with fuel at cell sites and central and field-level switching facilities Using natural gas in some of the permanent generators to eliminate the need to refuel Staging generators in
safe locations for their immediate deployment once a storm has passed Elevating switches critical to network operations above expected flood levels Protecting physical facilities against flooding Preparing the following for deployment in the wake of a storm: Mobile cell sites Mobile command centers Emergency communications vehicles A self-sufficient base camp, complete with sleeping tents, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry facilities, on-site nurse and more than 10,000 meals ready to eat MREs, plus more Hazmat equipment and supplies Equipment-trailers to provide infrastructure support and mobile heating ventilation and air conditioning Internal and external resources for initial assessment and recovery efforts

Hurricane Season Preparation Tips for Consumers Have a family communications plan in place Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain that all family members know whom to contact if they become separated Most important, practice your emergency plan in advance

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Fact Sheet ATT Disaster Preparedness 2008 Hurricane Season

Be sure you have a Hurricane Phone Its a good idea to have a
wireless phone on hand and at least one corded landline telephone that is not dependent on electricity in case of a power outage Cordless telephones usually have receivers that are electrically charged, so they wont work if you lose your power Program all of your emergency contact numbers and e-mail addresses into your mobile phone Numbers should include the police department, fire station and hospital, as well as your family members Keep your wireless phone batteries charged at all times Have an alternative plan to recharge your battery in case of a power outage, such as charging your wireless device by using your car charger or having extra mobile phone batteries or disposable mobile phone batteries on hand Keep your wireless phone dry The biggest threat to your device during a hurricane is water, so keep your equipment safe from the elements by storing it in a baggie or some other type of protective covering Forward your home number to your wireless number in the event of an evacuation Because call forwarding is based out of the telephone central office, you will get incoming calls from your landline phone even if your local telephone service is disrupted at your home In the
unlikely event that the central office is not operationa l, services such as voice mail, call forwarding, remote access call forwarding and call forwarding busy line/dont answer may be useful Track the storm and access weather information on your wireless device Many homes lose power during severe weather If you have a wireless device that provides access to the Internet, you can watch weather reports through MobiTV or ATT Mobile TV or keep updated with local radar and severe weather alerts through My-Cast Weather, if you subscribe to those services If you have a camera phone, take, store and send photos — even video clips — of damaged property to your insurance company from your device Take advantage of location-based mapping technology such as ATT Navigator, available on some wireless devices, to seek evacuation routes or to avoid traffic congestion from downed trees or power lines

Hurricane Season Preparation Tips for Small Business Owners Set up a call-forwarding service to a predetermined backup location Set up a single or multiple hotline numbers for employees, employees families, customers and partners, as appropriate, to call so that all parties know about the business
situation and emergency plan For this to be most effective, maintain an updated contact list, including mobile and home phone numbers and e-mail addresses, for all employees

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Fact Sheet ATT Disaster Preparedness 2008 Hurricane Season

Protect hardware/software/data records/employee records, etc Routinely back up these files to an off-site location Use a generator for supplying backup power to vital computer hardware and other mission-critical equipment Prearrange the replacement of damaged hardware with vendors to ensure quick business recovery Outline detailed plans for evacuation and shelter-in-place plans Practice these plans employee training, etc Establish a backup location for your business and meeting place for all employees Assemble a crisis-management team and coordinate efforts with neighboring businesses and building management Be aware that disasters affecting your suppliers also affect your business Outline a plan for supply chain continuity for business essentials

Maximizing Service During and After a Hurricane During an emergency, more people are trying to use their phones at the same time The
increased calling volume may create network congestion, leading to fast busy signals on your wireless phone or a slow dial tone on your landline phone If this happens, hang up, wait several seconds and then try the call again This allows your original call data to clear the network before you try again Try wireless text/short messaging service SMS During an emergency situation, text messages will often go through quicker than voice calls because they require less network resources All of ATTs wireless devices are text messaging capable Also, if you have a wireless data device such as an Apple iPhone or a BlackBerry smartphone, you can use its messaging capabilities to communicate Depending on the call plan, additional charges may apply Keep non-emergency calls to a minimum, and limit your calls to the most important ones If there is severe weather, chances are many people will be attempting to place calls to loved ones, friends and business associates

Additional information and tips for disaster preparedness can be found at wwwattcom/vitalconnections SOURCE: The December Seasonal Forecast issued by Dr Bill Gray and Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University CSU

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Source:att.com