As a small business owner—or someone who supports local entrepreneurs—have you thought about how a sudden emergency could impact your livelihood or the services you rely on? Just last month, many areas in Cowichan lost power due to a bomb cyclone, disrupting homes and businesses alike. From floods and wildfires to power outages, the increasing impacts of climate change mean these events are becoming more frequent and severe. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, making it all the more important to safeguard their operations. Economic Development Cowichan is highlighting key resources to help your business plan for the unexpected and build resilience in the face of a changing world.
Small businesses often need more resources to bounce back from disasters without prior planning. A report by Statistics Canada indicates that small businesses are more susceptible to closing after a disaster and during economic downturns. With proactive measures, you can minimize risks, protect employees and customers, and ensure a quicker recovery.
Two Essential Resources for Small Businesses
We’re sharing two guides to help Cowichan businesses strengthen their emergency preparedness:
- Economic Disaster Preparedness Resources and Considerations for Small Businesses: This guide provides a comprehensive overview of risk assessment, business continuity planning, and strategies tailored to small businesses.
- PreparedBC: Guide for Small Businesses: This resource offers step-by-step instructions to create an emergency plan, including checklists, templates, and tips for building resilience against region-specific risks.
Take Action Today
Here are a few steps to get started with emergency preparedness:
- Create a Business Continuity Plan: Identify critical operations, establish backup strategies, and prepare for supply chain disruptions.
- Train Your Team: Empower employees with knowledge and clear roles during an emergency.
- Assess Local Risks: Consider threats specific to the Cowichan region, such as wildfires, floods, and infrastructure failures.
- Develop a Communication Plan: Ensure timely updates for staff, customers, and suppliers.
- Review Your Insurance Coverage: Verify that your policy includes appropriate protection for your business.
- Get Connected: Sign up for Cowichan Alert to get alerts for your area so you can be prepared and take action when needed.
Stay Connected
The CVRD is here to support you. Stay informed about local emergency alerts and resources by visiting https://emcowichan.ca/.
