I'm Tracie Kamenoff with the Greater EMC Chamber. I sat down with Warren Porter to talk about a fresh way small businesses can manage surprises—everything from hurricanes to cyber outages—without hiring a full-time emergency manager. Warren draws on three decades of emergency response experience and has turned that expertise into a practical service for local businesses called Porters of Porter.

Why preparedness is about more than storms

Most people think preparedness equals hurricane plans. Warren reminded me preparedness really means understanding and managing risk from any angle. That includes common items like power outages and supply chain hiccups, but also less obvious threats such as cyber incidents and even local seismic activity. He pointed out there are more than 600 earthquakes a year in Texas, so part of preparedness is knowing what can affect your operations and planning accordingly.

Experience that matters: real stories, real stakes

Warren's background is built on high-stakes response. He spent 30 years in emergency management and the fire department, coordinated responses for the Texas Medical Center's 64 institutions, and served as clinical director for Ebola transports from Dallas to the CDC in Atlanta. That level of experience shapes how he approaches protecting organizations:

"What got you here at that point doesn't help you get there to the next point."

That line stuck with me. Fast growth changes risk profiles, and the processes that worked when a business was small often fail as the team, systems, and exposure expand.

Who benefits most from an outsourced emergency manager

Warren recommends starting with the businesses that think they already have everything under control—"mom and pops" and other operations with only a handful of employees. Those organizations often rely on a single person or a checklist that hasn't been tested.

But the sweet spot is any business that is growing quickly. If you're moving from 10 to 100 employees, your risks change. Outsourcing emergency management gives you access to seasoned expertise without the cost of a full-time hire. In Warren's words: you can outsource it.

• Small businesses that lack formal continuity plans
• Growing companies scaling teams, locations, or services
• Organizations without dedicated IT or risk teams
• Any business that wants a practical, tested approach to risk

Common risks to include in your plan

1. Weather events and natural hazards
2. Cybersecurity and IT outages
3. Supply chain disruptions and labor strikes
4. On-site emergencies and medical incidents
5. Reputation and communication failures

A simple way to start: the quick risk assessment

To make preparedness approachable, Warren created a short online assessment designed for mobile. It was labeled a two-minute assessment but takes roughly 30 seconds to complete. The result gives a score out of 100 and breaks performance into six categories with red, yellow, and green indicators so business owners can quickly see priorities.

That quick diagnostic is a fast way to move from guesswork to action. When you know which areas are red or yellow, you can focus resources where they'll make the biggest difference.

How Porters of Porter supports local businesses

Warren packages his experience into services that make sense for small and growing businesses. Typical offerings include risk assessments, continuity planning, incident response training, and on-call support during an event. The benefit is clear:

• Access to senior-level emergency management without a full-time salary
• Customized plans that match your size, systems, and growth stage
• Hands-on guidance during incidents so your team can stay focused on running the business

Simple steps to get started

• Take the short risk assessment to get a baseline score.
• Review the priority areas highlighted in the report.
• Engage a scoped service to address initial gaps (communication plans, IT continuity, or staff training).
• Test and refine the plan regularly as the business grows.

Final thoughts

Preparedness is an investment in resilience. It does not have to be expensive or overwhelming. For many East Montgomery County businesses, bringing in experienced help on an as-needed basis is a smart way to protect people, operations, and reputation while staying focused on growth.

For more resources and local connections, visit gemcchamber.com.