Disaster Preparedness
Every year, local businesses face growing challenges from extreme weather events, unexpected power outages, cyber threats, wildfires, and other emergencies that can disrupt operations without warning.
These risks are becoming more frequent and severe, making preparation not just a precaution—but a necessity. Taking proactive steps today can significantly reduce downtime, protect your employees and assets, and position your business for long-term stability and resilience.
Steps to Being Prepared
Identify the most likely disasters for your location. Consider building type, surrounding infrastructure, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Create a basic emergency plan that includes evacuation procedures, shelter-in-place instructions, and up-to-date emergency contacts.
Stay informed. Sign up for local, state, and federal emergency alerts to get real-time updates that can help you act quickly. Be sure to enable Wireless Emergency Alerts in your phone settings to receive all alerts.
Protect vital records & Systems
Know which operations are essential to keep your business running. Develop plans to restore power, inventory, communications, and other core functions quickly. Back up financial records, customer data, and essential files to secure cloud storage or off-site locations. Keep printed copies of key contacts and insurance documents.
Regularly review emergency roles and responsibilities. Conduct practice drills so everyone knows how to respond in a crisis.
Make sure your insurance covers property damage, business interruption, and recovery costs. Explore federal disaster assistance programs to understand your options before you need them.
Resources
These tools are here to help protect your business today—and prepare you for tomorrow.
FEMA: Emergency Response Plan Template
Create a response plan tailored to your business needs
US CHAMBER FOUNDATION: Resilience in a Box
Quick-start toolkit with planning checklists and templates
uschamberfoundation.org/resilience-box
CALIFORNIA OES: Planning Resources & Alert Sign Up
Emergency Alert Sign Up located at bottom of page
Planning & Preparedness Resources
Sign Up for Alerts in your County
INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR BUSINESS & HOME SAFETY:
Business Continuity Toolkit
Build a full continuity and recovery plan (10 modules)
ibhs.org/BusinessDisasterRecovery
Download PDF
American Red Cross
SBA
SBA: Small Business Assistance
SBA: Sacramento District Office
Sacramento County
Sac Metro Air District - Air Quality Action Charts
Environmental Management – resources for disaster response for food facilities, pools, spas, septic systems, underground storage tanks, hazardous materials, and waste: Disaster Preparation and Response for Businesses
Sacramento Valley SBDC
SMUD
emergency preparedness planning guide (available in 7 languages)
Vitalant