Preparing for natural events - Are you disaster ready?

Source: Business Queensland Connect newsletter (November 2024)

As summer approaches, Queenslanders are reminded to prepare for potential natural disasters. Knowing the risks and being prepared saves lives, money and accelerates recovery.

Whether you are in metropolitan, regional, rural or remote locations. All Queenslanders can:

• stay informed through alerts and warnings
• create a plan for home and business
• access support and funding. 

Be prepared this disaster season

In Queensland, severe weather can strike at any time, and being prepared can make all the difference. Information on Business Queensland’s Small Business Disaster Hub can help. 

Follow these three steps to get ready: 

• Understand your risk – impacts from extreme weather are different for everyone. Learn about what can happen where you live and work, and how it could affect your business.  
• Make a plan – make a business emergency plan so your employees know what to do in extreme weather.  
• Pack a business emergency kit – include first aid and survival supplies, protection equipment and gear, an emergency contact list for employees, key suppliers and clients, and copies of important business documents.  

Learn more on business.qld.gov.au/disaster  

Download the business continuity plan template on getready.qld.gov.au/business.

Personal disaster plans to protect employees

Your employees are one of your greatest assets, and in the case of a weather event it is important to make sure they’re prepared with their own personal plans before disaster strikes.

Encourage your employees to create their own personal emergency plan so they know what to do and who to contact in extreme weather.

Clear communication during emergencies can be critical to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone.

The new Get Ready Queensland Severe Weather Household Emergency Plan is a simple online form making it quick and easy to plan for an emergency.

Don’t leave it until the last minute. Make sure you and your team are ready by putting your business AND personal plans in place today.

Visit getready.qld.gov.au/plan to create a severe weather personal emergency plan.

Essential disaster-readiness tips for business

The Queensland Small Business Commissioner has collated insights from small business owners who’ve been through a disaster, sharing their quick tips to help you get back to business fast.

• Organise key documents: Store critical records like tax invoices, bank statements, insurance policies, rates notice and property leases in waterproof cases or digital backups.
• Capture your inventory: Photograph your stock, equipment, and premises now—these are invaluable for insurance claims.
• Log your actions: Keep a journal of all decisions and events or use this event log. Include 'before and after' photos of damage to document your journey.
• Know your CCTV: Learn now how to download or save CCTV footage and protect essential equipment, like CCTV and modems, from water.
• Protect your connectivity: Have a power bank or portable charger for your phone.

Disaster legal help is available by calling Legal Aid Queensland on 1300 527 700 or Disaster legal help - Legal Aid Queensland