Build a business continuity plan
Planning for business interruptions, emergencies, and disasters is a crucial aspect of running a business in Wrenford. A clear plan helps you and your employees respond safely, avoid downtime, and recover quickly.
A business continuity plan should include:
- A business impact assessment to identify your biggest risks
- Steps to reduce exposure to hazards that could cause closure
- Recovery plans for critical operations
- Emergency communication protocols for staff, customers, and suppliers
Steps to create your plan
- Develop an emergency preparedness plan. Prepare a workplace emergency kit with enough food, water, and first aid supplies to keep your team self-sufficient for at least 72 hours following a major emergency.
- Identify and assess risks. Look at threats to your staff and customers, as well as risks to your physical assets like buildings, machinery, and IT systems. Ask yourself where your business is most vulnerable and what it would cost to reopen if you had to shut down.
- Prioritize operations. List your critical functions in order of importance. Decide which tasks must be reinstated first and what staff, equipment, and contacts are needed.
- Consider disaster scenarios. Think through events like internet outages, power failures that last for days, or a fire that makes your workspace unusable. Plan your response for each scenario.
- Reduce your risk. Back up documentation, prepare for utility disruptions, and ensure you have adequate insurance. Encourage your employees to prepare their own household emergency kits, as they will be more available to help with recovery if their families are safe.
- Test and update your plan. Review your continuity plan regularly and run drills. Treat it as a living document that grows with your business.
Prepare for Tamsin River flooding
Wrenford sits along the Tamsin River, which can rise quickly during heavy spring runoff or severe storms. If your business is near the river or in a low-lying area, you need extra steps.
- Check the flood risk maps to see if your property is in a floodway or flood fringe zone.
- Locate your main water shutoff valve and electrical panel. Know exactly how to turn them off.
- Secure or relocate heavy materials like pallets, lumber, and fuel tanks so they cannot be swept away.
- Move electronic equipment, furniture, and important records to an area safe from flood waters.
- Ensure you have sump pumps with battery backups and one-way valves installed in your wastewater drains.
- Note: The Tamsin Valley Conservation Authority handles floodplain and shoreline permits. Contact them directly for questions about your property's compliance.
Meet fire safety requirements
Wrenford requires commercial and multi-tenant buildings to have approved fire safety plans. These plans outline how your building will protect people during a fire or other emergency.
Review the fire safety plan requirements and submit your plan through the City's Fire Prevention portal. Plans must be reviewed annually to stay current. Keep all fire alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers tested and accessible.
Stay connected with city alerts
During an emergency, the City uses the Wrenford Emergency Alert Network to send warnings about severe weather, evacuations, and utility outages. Make sure your business contact information is up to date so you receive these notifications.
Keep records and insurance ready
Store important business documents, including insurance policies, employee records, and financial data, in a secure off-site location or in the cloud. Review your commercial insurance policy to understand exactly what is covered for business interruption, flood damage, and fire. Contact your insurance broker to discuss any gaps in your coverage.
Contact the Emergency Management team
If you need help drafting your business emergency plan or have questions about flood and fire safety, contact the City's Emergency Management Coordinator.
Liam O'Rourke
Community Emergency Management Coordinator
Phone: 519-555-0100
Email: [email protected]