While it may seem obvious that government is responsible for emergency management and planning, this perception doesn’t show the full picture. Emergency management responsibilities are shared by local and provincial governments, First Nations, critical infrastructure, businesses and individual citizens. All these stakeholders are responsible to prepare for disasters and contribute to community resiliency.
Emergency management responsibilities for business and critical infrastructure owners
A large portion of emergency management responsibility falls on business owners—including critical infrastructure owners. A catastrophic event can have a significant impact on a business’ bottom line, so it’s crucial for your business to be prepared and ready.
Being prepared involves developing, regularly updating and practicing both your emergency plan and business continuity plan. Doing this is crucial so your business can continue providing service, while reducing financial impacts and mitigating reputational damage after an emergency event occurs. The good news is, engaged emergency planners across the country are working hard to ensure their organization’s preparedness is achieved and maintained.
How CCEM Strategies helps businesses prepare for all types of emergencies
We work regularly with government, critical infrastructure and business owners to create comprehensive and effective emergency management and business continuity plans, not only for natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and wildfires, but also other threats. These include equipment failures, security threats, or IT incidents that could damage infrastructure or compromise data.
Our team will partner with your business or organization to develop and implement a tailored approach, ensuring preparedness for operational continuity, during and after any type of emergency.
Three steps to prepare: Know, Acquire and Prepare
A business’s responsibility to adequately prepare for an emergency is significant. The first step is to know what the potential hazards and impacts to your business are and the steps needed to make it safe. This includes identifying evacuation routes and muster locations and identifying people who may need extra assistance.
The second is to acquire the resources and strategies that will support the continuity of your business. This can include having a data back-up service and ensuring water and non-perishable food is kept on site at all times.
The third critical step is to prepare by creating emergency management and business continuity plans and regularly updating them. An additional step, and one often missed, is training and exercising. Staff must be trained on how to use the plan and the plan must be exercised to ensure it’s functional, should an emergency occur.
The following infographic is a great tool to help your business to get started.
Need help developing your plan or training program?
Our emergency management and business continuity team bring a diversity of experience and expertise to the task. And we can customize a plan appropriate for your business and potential emergencies. Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started.