The Kingston business community needs to prepare for natural disasters such as severe wind, storms, heatwaves, bushfire and Covid-19. A number of key activities you could undertake in preparedness for your business are listed below. We also encourage you to check out additional advice from the SA Government Business website - https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/running-a-business/preparing-a-business-continuity-plan
Business continuity
- Identify and analyse possible risks to your business.
- Prepare an emergency kit - https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/emergencies-and-safety/prepare-for-an-emergency/emergency-kit)
- Develop a business continuity plan - https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/running-a-business/preparing-a-business-continuity-plan
- Consult with local authorities to obtain relevant information to include in your business continuity plan - https://business.sa.gov.au/protect-your-business
- Regularly review and update your business continuity plan.
- Store a copy of your business continuity plan off-site in a safe, disaster-proof location.
- Pack the laptop and mobile phone(s) with spare batteries, battery bank and chargers.
Staff preparedness
- Consult with staff about the unfolding situation.
- Develop a task list for your staff to carry out in preparation for and during a disaster event and ensure that this is regularly reviewed.
- Develop an evacuation plan for your business.
- Be aware of local evacuation centre locations and preferred evacuation routes.
- Have a list of emergency phone numbers, including staff contacts.
- Ensure staff safety by sending them home when necessary.
Stock and equipment
- Ensure enough stock is on hand to supply customers in the period after the event.
- Identify where equipment and vehicles can be relocated and protected.
- Keep enough spare parts on site to ensure equipment remains operational.
- Plan for extended power outage, including relocating perishable stock to an alternative location.
- Obtain a generator and sufficient fuel supply to support your business after the event.
- Establish reciprocal help arrangements with other local businesses to provide support during and after the event.
Infrastructure
- Check your building is in a sound condition, especially the roof and eaves.
- Trim overhanging branches and remove rubbish located close to your building.
- Clear your property of loose items that could become missiles during extreme winds.
Insurance
- Check that your insurance is adequate to cover your business in the event of a disaster.
Business documentation and records
- Identify what data in your business is important to keep (data for processing orders and customer records would be considered high importance).
- Backup your critical data to a portable device and store it in a safe place.
- Identify your computer programs for business continuity (email, accounting, ordering applications) and secure the media (CDs/DVDs) and licences for these.
- Identify what is needed to recover your programs and data (laptops, PCs, servers, internet access) and make provisions for these.
- Locate and pack your critical documentation (e.g. insurance, financial, legal and identification documents) in a portable waterproof container.
If there is an immediate threat to life or property dial Triple 000 for police, fire, or ambulance.