Well prepared businesses help build resilient communities.

Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) is here as a resource to help build the resilience of your business, which in turn can help strengthen your community.

Ice storms, severe storms, tornadoes, floods, pandemics, active shooters, dam/levee failures, and hazardous-materials incidents are all disasters Wisconsin businesses have encountered. Is your business ready for the next disaster?

If you are not sure where to start and are curious as to what other businesses like yours have done to prepare, consider joining a Public-Private Partnership Program (P3).

Public-Private Partnerships (P3s)

• Benefits of joining a P3
  • Business continuity plan
  • Protect your business
  • Helps meet legal requirements
    • OSHA section 5(a)(1)
  • Free P3 Summits
    • Exercises
  • Networking
  • News bulletins
• There are different P3s that may be accepting members and a business can be a member of multiple P3s.
  • There is a WEM P3 that any business, non-profit organization, and association can join for free
  • There are region specific P3s
    • Can be formal with a charter or more informal
  • There are sector specific P3s
    • Example: Many of Wisconsin’s electric utilities are part of a P3 with the Department of Military Affairs
• How to join
  • Contact the Community Preparedness Coordinator
    • Get added to the WEM P3 contact list
      • The Community Preparedness Coordinator can also refer you to regional or sector specific P3s if available.

Would you like all of the benefits of being in a P3 while also being at the decision table when a disaster strikes? If so, consider joining the Business Emergency Operating Center (BEOC).

What is the BEOC and how does it work

During an disaster, the BEOC works with emergency management to help identify and access resources (food, water, fuel, cleaning supplies, financial resources, medications, etc. ) to assist with disaster response and recovery.

BEOC members share information with emergency management and other members on damages, supply chain interruptions, security needs, and other issues that help them prioritize response efforts. By having a direct line of communication with emergency management, BEOC members can help ensure that their needs are addressed, and that they have the information needed to make sound decisions.

How to become a member of the BEOC:

• BEOC members need to submit an application form
  • Contact Community Preparedness Coordinator
• Be a subject matter expert
• A three-year commitment
• Take classes
  • Attend the Wisconsin State EOC Liaison course (6 hours in person at WEM)
  • IS100a. Incident Command System (independent online study course through FEMA)
  • IS230a. Fundamentals of Emergency Management (independent online study course through FEMA)
  • IS662 Improving Preparedness and Resilience through Public-Private Partnerships (independent online study course through FEMA)
  • Introduction to WebEOC
• Become a BEOC Liaison 
  • Either in-person in the SEOC or virtually present during a disaster activation

We consider any business to join the BEOC an asset; however, businesses that specialize in the following categories are considered ‘community lifeline’ businesses and are highly encouraged to join:

• Food, Water, and Sheltering
• Energy
• Health and Medical
• Public Safety and Security
• Hazardous Materials
• Communications
• Transportation

P3 and BEOC Contact Information

Community Preparedness Coordinator
Phone: 608-242-3238
Email: