COBSC Small Business Info-Guides

Emergency Preparedness for Your Business

Content provided by: Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre

Background

The purpose of this document is to provide Ontario entrepreneurs with government and non-government resources that can assist a business in handling and preparing for various emergencies.

Emergency preparedness has become an increasingly important subject for the Canadian business community, as it has for all Canadians. Recent events, such as the power black-outs of 2003, S.A.R.S and the possibility of terrorism, have shown the need for all levels of government to provide the appropriate precautionary information before an emergency occurs and respond quickly to existing emergencies.

As our business community becomes more global, emergencies around the world become increasingly important to Canada. The events of September 11, 2001, for instance, had serious and immediate consequences for many Canadians and the Canadian business community, including border closings and delays. For this reason, a section involving international trade and emergencies has been added.

Precautionary Resources and Agencies

Municipal Governments

Each Ontario municipality is required to develop and implement an emergency management program. As most emergencies are of a local nature and do not require provincial or federal assistance, it is important to obtain information on the emergency management program of the municipality in which your business is located.

For further information:
visit the web site:  Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Emergency Management Ontario

Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) promotes, develops, implements and maintains emergency management programs throughout Ontario. Emergency management consists of four core components:

EMO provides advice and assistance to communities to develop their emergency management program. The EMO also acts as a coordinating agency for very serious or widespread emergencies that go beyond that of one municipal government.

For further information:
call 1-866-517-0571
visit the web site:  Emergency Management Ontario

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

The role of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) is to provide national leadership and to implement a comprehensive approach to protecting Canada’s national critical infrastructure and enhancing Canada’s emergency management framework.

For further information:
call 613-991-3283
visit the web site: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
see the document Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada - Mandate

Business Development of Canada - To keep your assets from going up in smoke

Fires pose enormous social and economic costs. Learn what steps you need to take to ensure your building has the proper fire protection systems.

For further information:
visit the web site:  Business Development of Canada - To keep your assets from going up in smoke

Office of the Fire Marshal Ontario

The mission of the OFM is to contribute to an environment for the residents of Ontario that is safe from fire and other public safety hazards by providing leadership and expertise in the reduction and elimination of these hazards.

For further information:
visit the web site:  Office of the Fire Marshal Ontario

Insurance and Your Business

You may not be aware of the types of catastrophes that could conceivably occur in your business. It is the job of your insurance agent to tailor a policy that best fits your needs.

For further information:
visit the web site:  Insurance Bureau of Canada
see the document Selecting Professional Services

Export Development Canada (EDC)

Export Development Canada can provide export receivables insurance for Canadian exporters to protect against a variety of risks involved in international trade.

For further information:
call 1-866-283-2957
visit the web site:  Insurance Solutions
see the document Accounts Receivable Insurance

If an Emergency Occurs

When an emergency occurs, municipal governments, fire departments and police first manage it locally. Most emergencies are dealt with at this local level. If required, a request is made to the provincial or territorial governments to provide assistance. If the emergency escalates, the provincial or territorial government can then request assistance from the federal government.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) has produced a "General Preparedness" document that includes a section titled "After an Emergency". The general preparedness tips in this document can help you survive at least 72 hours in your home or workplace without help from emergency response officials.

For further information:
visit the web site: General Preparedness

International Trade and Emergencies

Travelling Abroad

Canadian Consular Services are offered by the Consular Affairs Bureau and provides assistance to Canadians who are travelling, working or living abroad. They are committed to help Canadians prepare for foreign travel and to provide a variety of services once abroad.

For further information:
please call 613-944-4000
visit the web site:  Consular Affairs
see the document Canadian Consular Services

Emergency Contact Information when Travelling Abroad

The Operations Centre of Foreign Affairs Canada operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An experienced officer is always available to respond to emergency calls from anywhere in the world.

For further information:
please call 613-996-8885 (call collect where available) 
visit the web site:  Consular Affairs

Border Wait Times

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) provides a list of estimated wait times for reaching the inspection booths at Canada/US land borders. This site is continuously updated. A number of other useful links for border and customs information are provided on this site.

For further information
please call 1-800-461-9999
visit the web site: Border Wait Times

Environmental Emergencies

Environmental Emergencies Program

Environment Canada ’s Environmental Emergencies Division’s (EED) mission is to reduce the frequency, severity and consequences of environmental emergencies. In particular, the EEP coordinates departmental response support to environmental emergencies involving spills or releases of toxic or hazardous substances.

For further information:
call 416-739-5908
visit the web site:  Environmental Emergency Regulations
see the document: Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations

Safety and Environmental Response Systems - Canadian Coast Guard

The Safety and Environmental Response Systems develops, promulgates and monitors the implementation of operational frameworks and service delivery standards to manage the marine Search and Rescue (SAR) system, the Canadian oil spill preparedness and response program and the national system of marine communications and vessel traffic services.

For further information:
see the document Marine Rescue, Safety and Environmental Response - CCG

Health Emergencies

The Emergency Preparedness section of Public Health Agency of Canada web site provides a list of resources, including links, Frequently Asked Questions and travel information, on a variety of emergency health issues.

For further information:
please call 1-866-999-7612 or 416-973-4389
visit the web site: Emergency Preparedness page

Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan

The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan maps out how Canada will prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic. Federal, provincial and territorial governments collaborated on its development.

For further information:
please call 1-866-999-7612 or 416-973-4389
visit the web site:  Emergency Preparedness

Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP)

The Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP) describes how Ontario’s health care system will respond to an influenza pandemic. It sets out a comprehensive province-wide approach to health preparedness and response planning, and provides information to guide local pandemic planning groups.

For further information:
please call 1-800-268-1154 or416-314-5518
visit the web site:  What you should know about a flu pandemic

Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Pandemic Planning Toolkit

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has produced a pandemic planning document that includes checklists, a section on a business continuity plan and information for employers. 

For further information:
please call 416-482-5222
visit the web site:  Pandemic Planning Tool Kit

Business Continuity Planning Guide for Influenza Pandemic

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has prepared this guide to promote best practices in planning for a possible influenza pandemic for small to medium sized businesses.

For further information:
visit the web site:  Business Continuity Planning Guide for Influenza Pandemic (PDF - 371.19KB)

Emergency Resources for Employers

Provincial Emergencies and Urgent Advisories: Information for Ontario Workplaces

In the event of a provincial emergency, the Ontario Ministry of Labour site will provide information about relevant workplace issues, as well as links to other important information relating to the emergency.

For further Information:
call 1-800-268-8013 or 416-326-7770
visit the  Provincial Emergencies and Urgent Advisories website

The Employer and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System - WHMIS

The Employer and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System publication describes the responsibilities of employers regarding hazardous materials used in the workplace.

For further Information:
call 1-800-641-4049
visit the web site: Employer and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
see the document  The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Preparing for and Responding to Trauma in the Workplace: A Manager’s eGuide

This guide is intended to help managers develop and maintain a supportive environment for employees who experience a traumatic workplace event and to support the delivery of critical services to Canadians during and after a major traumatic event.

For further information:
please call 1-866-225-0709 or 613-957-2991
visit the web site:  Preparing for and Responding to Trauma in the Workplace: A Manager’s eGuide

Personal Emergency Leave

Emergency leave is unpaid, job-protected leave of up to 10 days each year. Emergency leave may be taken in the case of illness, injury and certain other emergencies and urgent matters.

For further information:
call 1-800-531-5551
visit the web site:  Personal Emergency Leave
see the document Personal Emergency Leave

Business Continuity

A guide to business continuity planning

This publication, produced by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC), provides a summary and general guidelines for business continuity planning. Sections of this guide include “Creating a Business Continuity Plan” and “What to do when a disruption occurs”.

For further information:
visit the web site: A Guide to Business Continuity Planning
see the document Business Continuity Planning - A Guide

Other Resources

• Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness
• Disaster Recovery Information Exchange (DRIE)
• Disaster Recovery Institute Canada
• Ontario Association of Emergency Managers

Need more information?

Click: Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
Call: 1-800-567-2345
Visit: visit our Regional Access Program Locations page to locate an office near you

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Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.

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Related Reading

• Preparing for the Pandemic
• Business Guides