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Emergency Preparedness for Your Business

Last Verified: 2010-02-24

1. Background
2. Precautionary Resources
3. Insurance and Your Business
4. If an Emergency Occurs
5. International Trade and Emergencies
6. Environmental Emergencies
7. Health Emergencies
8. Emergency Resources for Employers
9. Business Continuity
10. Other Resources

1. 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.

2. 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 website: 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:

Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery

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:
visit the website: Emergency Management Ontario

Public Safety Canada

The role of Public Safety Canada 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 1-800-830-3118
visit the website: Public Safety Canada

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 website: 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 website: Office of the Fire Marshal Ontario

3. 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 website: Insurance Bureau of Canada

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 website: Insurance Solutions

4. 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.

For further information:
visit the website: General Preparedness

5. 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 1-800-267-6788
visit the website: Consular Affairs

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 website: Consular Affairs - Operations Centre

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
visit the website: Border Wait Times

6. 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 1-800-668-6767
visit the website: Environmental Emergency 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:
visit the website: Environmental Response

7. Health Emergencies

The Emergency Preparedness section of Public Health Agency of Canada website 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 416-973-0003
visit the website: Emergency Preparedness

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 416-973-0003
visit the website: Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan

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 1-866-532-3161
visit the website: 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 website: Pandemic Planning Tool Kit

Business Continuity Planning

The Business Development Bank (BDC) offers all businesses a detailed business continuity plan to help them prepare for an emergency, including a flu pandemic.

For further information:
visit the website: Business Continuity Planning Guide for Influenza Pandemic (PDF - 371.19KB) (PDF - freeAdobe® Reader® required)

Other Pandemic Resources

FightFlu.ca

8. Emergency Resources for Employers

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 website: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

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
visit the website: 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 website: Personal Emergency Leave

9. Business Continuity

A guide to business continuity planning

This publication, produced by Public Safety Canada, 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 website: A Guide to Business Continuity Planning

10. Other Resources

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.

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.