Planning Today Can Protect Your Business Tomorrow
Acting Regional Fire Chief for the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Dan Sequin presents to a group of business owners and community members in late-July.
Businesses Encouraged to Prepare Before Disaster Strikes
As wildfires continue to impact communities across British Columbia and the U.S. Northwest, the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to take the time to prepare before disaster strikes.
Communities in the Okanagan, the East Kootenay and Spokane are currently facing the devastating impacts of fast-moving wildfires. While no one can prevent every emergency, planning ahead can make a significant difference for businesses, employees and families.
“Our hearts go out to our friends in Spokane, the Kimberley area and the Vernon region who are dealing with devastating wildfires,” says Tom Thomson, executive director of the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce. “We know it’s not a matter of if, but when wildfire will affect communities in our region. What we’re seeing around us is another reminder that taking the time to prepare today can make all the difference tomorrow.”
In late-July, the Chamber hosted an Emergency Preparedness Session in Railtown through its Business & Climate Advisor Program. The free event gave business owners and residents the opportunity to hear practical advice from local experts on preparing for emergencies and building business resilience.
The event brought together knowledgeable guest speakers, each bringing a different piece of the preparedness puzzle:
- Ben Salt, Hub International — Protecting your business through wildfire season
- Dan Sequin, Acting Regional Fire Chief, RDCK — Business continuity and adaptive planning
- Matt Popp, Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce — Building a business continuity plan
- Heather Slack, Emergency Program Manager, City of Nelson — Business and community recovery
- Kim Hartzell, ALLSET Evacuation Backpacks — How to prepare an evacuation pack and what to include
The speakers covered the essentials of emergency and business continuity planning, from building a go-bag to thinking through how a small business can keep operating (or bounce back quickly) after a disruption. Attendees had the chance to ask questions, share their own experiences, and leave with practical next steps for their homes and workplaces.
Resources Available to Continue Preparedness
For local businesses and community members unable to attend the event, there are a number of important resources that can help with planning:
- Take a look at the slides from the session: Find the slide presentation here.
- Check out the Business Continuity Planning page on the Community Futures website for guides and tools to help your business prepare and recover. Find it here.
- Pick up our free printed guides: The Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce has copies of the PrepareBC: Guide for Small Business and PrepareBC: Emergency Plan for Small Business available to pick up in person at the Nelson Visitor Centre — drop by anytime while supplies last.
“We strongly encourage every business owner to take the time to create a Business Continuity Plan using the free resources available,” says Matt Popp, the Chamber’s Business Climate Advisor. “It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just needs to exist. When disaster strikes, there isn’t time to start planning. Having even a simple plan in place can make all the difference.”
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Matt at climateadvisor@discovernelson.com
