ly at universities that were profiting from selling courses developed under grant dollars. That is, they created disaster preparedness materials using federal grant money, and then they made hospitals and communities pay to receive the course materials. While such a practice is clearly unethical, many people thought the journal was implying that it’s unethical to make a business of disaster preparedness—to go into communities and hospitals and charge a consulting fee or teaWhen a disaster strikes—whether it be a hurricane, earthquake, flood, terrorist attack, or some other devastating event—many businesses are eager to volunteer and assist those in need. They want to help rebuild the damaged homes and businesses, and they often donate the necessary materials and manpower to do so. Unfortunately, the resources that are brought in on a volunteer and donation basis typically run out much sooner than expected. And very often, those businesses who gladly gave their time and resources to those in need feel guilty charging for additional services, so they pack up and leave the area, proud of their good deed, yet leaving those in the disaster area with few recovery options.

A great example of this is what happened in Port Charlotte, Florida after hurricane Charley. Initially after the hurricane, a large number of contractors went to the area, donating services, supplies, and other things needed to rebuild the community. The federal government also came in and paid many of the rebuild bills, even things not normally covered by FEMA. But then the money started to run out, and the majority of the volunteers went home. The funny thing is that the residents of Port Charlotte didn’t want the contractors to leave and would have paid the contractors their normal rate to stay and finish the disaster recovery efforts. But the contractors—those who were there on a volunteer basis—felt guilty taking money from disaster victims. Now, two years later, many Port Charlotte residents are still seeking reputable contractors to help them. It’s an unfortunate situation that doesn’t have to happen.

Perhaps even more concerning is that we’re starting to see a similar trend in the people and companies that help with disaster preparedness. Recently the Annals of Emergency Medicine, one of the largest emergency medicine journals, published an editorial aimed specifically at universities that were profiting from selling courses developed under grant dollars. That is, they created disaster preparedness materials using federal grant money, and then they made hospitals and communities pay to receive the course materials. While such a practice is clearly unethical, many people thought the journal was implying that it’s unethical to make a business of disaster preparedness—to go into communities and hospitals and charge a consulting fee or tea

gladly gave their time and resources to those in need feel guilty charging for additional services, so they pack up and leave the area, proud of their good deed, yet leaving those in the disaster area with few recovery options.

A great example of this is what happened in Port Charlotte, Florida after hurricane Charley. Initially after the hurricane, a large number of contractors went to the area, donating services, supplies, and other things needed to rebuild the community. The federal government also came in and paid many of the rebuild bills, even things not normally covered by FEMA. But then the money started to run out, and the majority of the volunteers went home. The funny thing is that the residents of Port Charlotte didn’t want the contractors to leave and would have paid the contractors their normal rate to stay and finish the disaster recovery efforts. But the contractors—those who were there on a volunteer basis—felt guilty taking money from disaster victims. Now, two years later, many Port Charlotte residents are still seeking reputable contractors to help them. It’s an unfortunate situation that doesn’t have to happen.

Perhaps even more concerning is that we’re starting to see a similar trend in the people and companies that help with disaster preparedness. Recently the Annals of Emergency Medicine, one of the largest emergency medicine journals, published an editorial aimed specifically at universities that were profiting from selling courses developed under grant dollars. That is, they created disaster preparedness materials using federal grant money, and then they made hospitals and communities pay to receive the course materials. While such a practice is clearly unethical, many people thought the journal was implying that it’s unethical to make a business of disaster preparedness—to go into communities and hospitals and charge a consulting fee or tea

munity. The federal government also came in and paid many of the rebuild bills, even things not normally covered by FEMA. But then the money started to run out, and the majority of the volunteers went home. The funny thing is that the residents of Port Charlotte didn’t want the contractors to leave and would have paid the contractors their normal rate to stay and finish the disaster recovery efforts. But the contractors—those who were there on a volunteer basis—felt guilty taking money from disaster victims. Now, two years later, many Port Charlotte residents are still seeking reputable contractors to help them. It’s an unfortunate situation that doesn’t have to happen.

Perhaps even more concerning is that we’re starting to see a similar trend in the people and companies that help with disaster preparedness. Recently the Annals of Emergency Medicine, one of the largest emergency medicine journals, published an editorial aimed specifically at universities that were profiting from selling courses developed under grant dollars. That is, they created disaster preparedness materials using federal grant money, and then they made hospitals and communities pay to receive the course materials. While such a practice is clearly unethical, many people thought the journal was implying that it’s unethical to make a business of disaster preparedness—to go into communities and hospitals and charge a consulting fee or tea

taking money from disaster victims. Now, two years later, many Port Charlotte residents are still seeking reputable contractors to help them. It’s an unfortunate situation that doesn’t have to happen.

Perhaps even more concerning is that we’re starting to see a similar trend in the people and companies that help with disaster preparedness. Recently the Annals of Emergency Medicine, one of the largest emergency medicine journals, published an editorial aimed specifically at universities that were profiting from selling courses developed under grant dollars. That is, they created disaster preparedness materials using federal grant money, and then they made hospitals and communities pay to receive the course materials. While such a practice is clearly unethical, many people thought the journal was implying that it’s unethical to make a business of disaster preparedness—to go into communities and hospitals and charge a consulting fee or tea

ly at universities that were profiting from selling courses developed under grant dollars. That is, they created disaster preparedness materials using federal grant money, and then they made hospitals and communities pay to receive the course materials. While such a practice is clearly unethical, many people thought the journal was implying that it’s unethical to make a business of disaster preparedness—to go into communities and hospitals and charge a consulting fee or teach for profit how to be ready in the event of a disaster. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

So does that mean it’s possible to profit from a disaster situation and not feel guilty? Yes! And those businesses that are able to come into a community after a disaster strikes and offer a needed product or service can profit handsomely…and ethically.

3 Ways to Profits

When it comes to profiting from disaster, most people think of price gouging or profiteering. Price gouging is not only immoral and unethical, but in every state and every territory, it’s also illegal. It’s a criminal act in which you’re taking advantage of people who have no choice but to pay. When hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, we heard examples of unscrupulous store owners selling generators (that normally retailed for a few hundred dollars) for two and three thousand dollars. All those people received jail time or fines, and their business license was revoked. Such people are not seeking to profit from disaster; they’re seeking to profit from misery. There are essentially three ethical ways to make money after a disaster.

1. Volunteer and Donation. In this scenario you volunteer your time and donate your products or services. You cover all your own costs and accept nothing in return, other than perhaps food and lodging. In return for your time and materials, you get the warm fuzzy feeling of doing something good for the community. You become an everyday hero. If you’re visible during this time, you also get great publicity, which could lead to business down the road from those who remember your good deed.

2. Discounted Services. This is the most common scenario, and just as the name implies, it means that you offer your products and/or services to the community at a discounted rate. Those who opt to go this route figure out how low they can price something without th