Red Cross and SCORE Association Webinar September 10 Will Debut Retooled, Free Ready Rating Program to Small Businesses Seeking to Implement Business Continuity Plans

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross is announcing updates to its Ready Rating program to help businesses, schools and organizations of all types prepare for disasters and emergencies. The launch of the retooled Ready Rating program coincides with National Preparedness Month and will debut during a free September 10 2:00 p.m. (ET) webinar by SCORE Association, a small business mentoring and advice service supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

More than 12,000 organizations have joined the Ready Rating program since its inception. It is a free, self-paced, web-based membership program that helps businesses, schools and organizations of all types measure how ready they are to deal with emergencies and then gives customized feedback on how to improve preparedness efforts.

WHY: Organizations may face a number of emergencies that could disrupt their operations, ranging from natural disasters such as fires, floods and hurricanes to man-made events. In fact, studies show that between 15 percent to 40 percent of businesses fail following a natural or man-made disaster. Ready Rating, developed under the guidance of disaster and preparedness experts at the Red Cross, can help save lives as well as livelihoods when disaster strikes.

WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 2:00 p.m. ET
Webinar Direct Registration: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ywwcyf6g1okt&eom
More Information: https://www.score.org/workshops/get-your-business-ready-emergency

WHO: Tom Heneghan, American Red Cross, Washington, DC          
Tom is the senior product manager for the Ready Rating program at the Red Cross.
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Steve Jarriel, SCORE Association, Herndon, VA
Steve will be the webinar's host and moderator. SCORE "Mentors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. Founded in 1964, SCORE currently has approximately 11,000 volunteers in more than 330 chapters nationwide and is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Connect with SCORE at facebook.com/SCOREMentors or @SCOREMentors.

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SOURCE American Red Cross