Emergency Preparedness for Small Businesses
Emergencies can happen, they are unavoidable and happening more frequently.
Township of Langley residents and visitors rely on local businesses to supply the necessary goods and services, before, during, and after emergencies. It is important that businesses are prepared to be up and running as soon as possible after an emergency or business disruption.
Businesses need to be aware of what risks/hazards they may face and what steps they can take to help address these risks before they happen. Businesses that have an emergency plan will fare much better in an emergency situation.
Steps to prepare an emergency plan:
1. Know your risks and hazards
- What are some natural and man-disasters that your business could face? These could range from earthquakes and floods to hazardous material spills and power failures.
- Find out more about potential risks
2. Make your plan
- An Emergency plan is a handbook for your business that will help you respond to a disaster. This plan will include vital information you will need in the event of a disaster. To help small businesses the Government of BC has created a fill-in-the-blanks emergency plan booklet that will prompt businesses to consider what they will need in an emergency.
- Guide for small businesses
- Emergency plan booklet for small businesses
3. Build your kit and store data
- Build or buy an emergency kit or grab-and-go-bag that has the basic supplies so that you are ready when disaster strikes. Protect important data by performing regular computer backs and store critical information off site on USB sticks, in cloud storage, or print copies.
- Check out PreparedBC to find out what you should include in your kit.