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Emergency Response Planning

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Flu Outbreaks

If you do not have a contingency plan for responding to an influenza outbreak, don't wait until flu season. Worker absenteeism as a result of the H1N1 flu last season was notable. Even if the worst never happens, you need to plan ahead for business interruptions.

Visit our Flu Pandemic Planning page

Disaster Preparedness

Every business owner should have a disaster preparedness plan in place just in case the unthinkable happens. Consult your local Pennsylvania SBDC to help you develop a plan specifically tailored for your business. Below are some resources to help get you started:

Disaster Response Checklist (PDF) – a list of what to do in case of an emergency
Disaster Preparation Planning Guide (PDF) – guide published by the SBA and Nationwide Insurance to help business owners prepare for a disaster.
A Disaster Protection and Recovery Planning Toolkit for the Small Business Owner (PDF) – a comprehensive manual developed by the Institute for Business & Home Safety
Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry (PDF) – developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Homeland Security: Tools for Small Businesses (PDF) – a workbook resource that contains real information about Homeland Security as it applies to small businesses
AllSafeMart.org - resources, free templates, and instructions to create your own Emergency Preparedness Plan for your business.

Additional resources on disaster preparedness can be found in the helpful links section below.

Environmental Emergencies

Environmental emergencies involve the release, or threatened release, of hazardous materials, radioactive materials, or oil to the soil, water, or air. Releases can be accidental, deliberate, or caused by natural disasters. If your business has an emergency response plan that is required by any regulation, be sure to follow it in the case of an environmental emergency.

Environmental emergency response responsibilities are spread across local, state, and federal agencies depending on the size and type of emergency. In addition to environmental agencies, emergency management, public safety, and public health organizations may be involved. If your business and the government agencies work together, the situation can be handled quickly and responsibly to minimize threats to the public and environment. By reporting an environmental emergency, you will also gain access to needed assistance such as specially trained hazardous materials responders.

Helpful Links

National Response Center
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) – PEMA administers the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council, which is Pennsylvania’s SERC.
Pennsylvania Local Emergency Planning Committees
Pennsylvania DEP Emergency Response Program – The Pennsylvania DEP Emergency Response Program responds to emergencies resulting from spills, accidents, and other releases of hazardous substances and contaminants. The contact in each of DEP’s regional offices is the Regional Emergency Response Program Manager (ERPM). The team that responds can include the ERPM, assistant ERPM, and 8-15 other trained DEP personnel, depending on the region.
Public Entity Risk Institute's Holistic Disaster Recovery: Ideas for Building Local Sustainability after a Natural Disaster
Institute for Business & Home Safety's DisasterSafety.org - Business continutity planning tools, including forms, checklists, and powerpoints
Hazardous Materials Preparedness Links
PEMA Guides – Including a Disaster Preparedness Planning Guide, Day Care Planning Tool Kit, Hazardous Materials Guide, and other useful documents.
Emergency Action Plans – OSHA requires businesses to have an Emergency Action Plan. The purpose of the Emergency Action Plan is to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies. Employers with 10 employees or less can communicate the plan verbally.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) – OSHA requires that MSDSs be maintained on-site, and that they are accessible during work hours. The MSDSs have key information needed in emergencies.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Emergencies” Website
EPA Toxics Release Inventory – Some facilities are required by the EPA to report chemicals to emergency planning agencies. The requirement to report depends on the types and quantities of chemicals that are stored on-site. Hundreds of chemicals are regulated, but reporting is only required if your business meets or exceeds the threshold quantities. Threshold quantities can range from 0.1 gram annually (for dioxin) to 25,000 lb. annually for other listed chemicals combined. To determine if you are required to report chemicals stored at your business, visit EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) website or attend an EPA TRI workshop that are held annually throughout the state. A list of workshops is available at the TRI website.
EPA’s “Superfund Reportable Quantities (RQs)” Website – To date, EPA has established or proposed adjustments to the RQs for all of the roughly 800 Superfund substances.
EPA’s “List of Lists” – Consolidated list of chemicals subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, including EPCRA Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances, CERCLA Hazardous Substances, EPCRA Section 313 Toxic Chemicals, and Clean Air Act 112(r) Regulated Chemicals for Accidental Release Prevention.