National Preparedness Month Business Checklist: 30 Items to Review

National Preparedness Month (September) is a good time for Las Vegas and Phoenix businesses to check what is already in place before an emergency. This 30-item checklist covers six areas: people and communication, access and the building, life safety and fire, power and equipment, records, and what happens after an event. Skip what does not apply, note what you cannot answer, and start there.

FEMA's Ready Campaign chose "Americans Stand Ready" as the 2026 theme. The same idea applies to a commercial property: preparedness starts with knowing what you have. Some items may belong to a landlord or another vendor, and requirements vary by occupancy, property, system, and jurisdiction. For a year-round version, see our business security checklist.

People and communication

1. The emergency contact list is current and reflects every staffing change.
2. A decision maker and a named backup are identified for after-hours events.
3. Contact information for your alarm, fire protection, and service providers is reachable even if the main computer is down.
4. There is another way to reach key staff if phone or internet service is interrupted.
5. Staff responsible for after-hours events know whom to contact first when an alarm activates.
6. Emergency procedures are covered in onboarding and updated when roles, systems, or conditions change.

Access and the building

7. If you issue door codes, badges, or keys, the active list is reviewed and every entry belongs to an authorized person.
8. Access is removed for departed staff, finished contractors, and transferred managers.
9. Exterior doors close and latch properly, including the delivery entrance.
10. Exit routes and exit doors are clear, and doors meant to stay closed are not propped open.
11. Exterior lighting works, especially at entry points and in parking areas.
12. Physical keys are inventoried and current holders are recorded.

Life safety and fire

13. Portable fire extinguishers are accessible, visually inspected monthly, and current on annual maintenance.
14. The fire alarm control panel and manual pull stations are accessible and unobstructed.
15. Required fire inspections, testing, and maintenance are current, and the records can be found. See fire inspection and maintenance.
16. Posted evacuation maps match the current floor plan and exits.
17. Employees know the nearest exit and their role in the emergency action plan, and anyone expected to use an extinguisher has been trained.

Power, connectivity, and equipment

18. Battery backup equipment is tested on the schedule the manufacturer or service provider recommends.
19. How the alarm system communicates if internet or phone service fails is documented, and any backup path has been tested.
20. Any on-site recorder is recording, and its retention period meets the business's needs.
21. Equipment in closets or utility spaces is operating within the manufacturer's temperature and ventilation limits.
22. Power and surge protection for critical equipment has been reviewed.
23. Camera lenses and housings are clean and still aimed where intended.

Records and documentation

24. Insurance coverage, limits, and claim contacts have been reviewed recently.
25. Copies of critical documents are stored off site or in the cloud.
26. Vendor and service agreements can be reached from outside the building.
27. A current photo record of equipment and inventory exists for claims.

After an event

28. Someone is assigned to document damage once it is safe, before cleanup begins, following instructions from emergency officials and the insurer.
29. The process for requesting reports, service records, or footage is known ahead of time.
30. A short review is scheduled afterward to note what did not work and update the plan.

A note on timing

Arizona's monsoon season officially runs June 15 through September 30, and monsoon storms also reach southern Nevada. September is a practical time to review storm and outage readiness, and after a summer of desert heat, equipment in warm spaces should be checked against the manufacturer's operating limits.

Get help with the items you cannot answer

If fire panel status, alarm communications, or camera retention is hard to confirm, our team can review your business security systems and commercial fire protection. Call (702) 737-8464 in Las Vegas or (602) 431-1300 in Phoenix, or contact Sting Alarm.