Once you’ve identified your risks, the next step is building a plan to respond. A strong emergency plan can mean the difference between a temporary disruption and permanent closure.

Businesses with continuity plans recover 60% faster after a disruption. —Public Safety Canada

Your emergency plan doesn’t need to be complex. But it must be clear, practiced, and ready to deploy.

Three Questions Every Plan Must Answer

Every effective business emergency plan is structured around these core questions:

  1. How will we protect our people?
    Include evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures, emergency contacts, and first aid steps.

  2. How will we protect our operations?
    Account for alternate power sources, data backup, insurance readiness, and vendor relationships.

  3. How will we communicate?
    Assign internal roles and prepare external messaging for staff, suppliers, and the public.

What to Include in Your Plan

Your emergency plan should address both immediate response and post-crisis recovery. Key components include:

  • Emergency and backup contact lists
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Communication templates
  • Business continuity checklist
  • Recovery timeline and key vendors

Tip: Test your plan annually with tabletop exercises or quick drills to keep it current and relevant.

Use Ready Rating™ to Build with Confidence

The Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program helps business owners:

✔ Evaluate and strengthen existing plans
✔ Access customizable templates and checklists
✔ Prioritize actions with expert-informed guidance

Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving a draft, the program simplifies the process and builds real confidence.

Being Prepared Is a Business Advantage

A tested plan is the difference between disruption and recovery.

Start or Strengthen Your Plan with Ready Rating™ →

Protect your people, your operations, and your future.