Friday, January 25, 2019 ~ JUAN de FUCA
by West Shore Voice News
Know the risks. That’s the first step in emergency preparedness for small business, according to the Guide for Small Business prepared in recent years by Emergency Management BC (EMBC)’s Prepared BC Division together with the Emergency Preparedness for Industry and Commerce Council .
Some tips:
- Mitigate potential threats. In addition to everyone getting out safely from a physical building, and damage to that building (such as by earthquake, flood, fire), other business risks include IT failures and cyber attacks.
- Make a plan. What are the core needs of your business? What areas might not be accessible? What is your temporary workaround? Got backup arrangements with suppliers?
- Prepare your employees. Everyone needs to know what will be done and what to do.
- Stock emergency supplies. Emergency kits for workplace and vehicles should be updated and accessible.
- Protect critical paperwork. Data is on computers, backup drives, and in the cloud. Maybe also on paper. Review your insurance policy for this. www.IBC.ca
- Practice the plan. Provide training on what each person’s role and responsibility will be in an emergency. Test the plan with a drill. A plan is a living document requiring occasional review and adjustment.
This article was first published on page 6 in the January 25, 2019 print/PDF weekend digest of West Shore Voice News. | Subscribe to the digital West Shore Voice News weekend edition.
Download the Emergency Preparedness Guide for Small Business
For all current information on Emergency Preparedness in the Capital Region, go to: www.prepareyourself.ca