Business Safety - Evacuation Plan

Evacuation Planning
(3 min read)

Natural (and unnatural/man-made) disasters have been in the news a lot in 2024 and 2025 is not starting much better. Hurricanes, Polar Vortex, and fires to name a few large-scale recent disasters. I've been incredibly fortunate in my life, but the "prepper" is strong within me. I suspect that's a combination of being raised by Depression-era parents and being Mom of a family of four. Let's now add a business owner to the mix!

How Do You Plan
You start with the advantage of Time with no disasters in your life. (a crazy schedule does not count as a "disaster"!) On one of your "CEO Days," start with simply 30 minutes - more if you're lucky - and make some lists. Grab your favorite drink and some calming music for background noise. Whatever you do to get focus.

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Start with a Checklist
There are plenty of checklists readily available on an online search. There are books on disaster planning. If you live in an area with a higher risk of natural (or unnatural/man-made) disasters, you may even have a "bug out bag" of items in the back of your vehicle to simply GO if the need arises. 

Reviewing a basic list as shown here, these are items you may have multiple copies of depending on your needs. Items may be in a fire resistant lock box and you have copies ready to be portable. You may have some items stored elsewhere deemed safer or at least in more than one location. (not all in your home) This is often recommended for external hard drives/tech back-up. The idea is chances are high that disaster would not impact multiple locations.

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What Time Is It?
Time may be a factor in your planning. Consider a list of what you'd grab with immediate evacuation orders, 15 minutes, 30 min, 1-2 hours, or even days. 

You can role play in your head or with others how you'd react in an evacuation situation to help remain as clear and focused as possible in the moment. You have to plan for the potential of panic to grip you and freeze you or others in place. Keep most critical items in your mind or within grab-and-go reach, especially if you're in an area prone to potential evacuations.

So What About the Business?
The list shown and in pdf format with this post is an all-purpose list. Some items may also pertain to your business. You may prefer a separate "business only" list. 

There are a number of resources to consider protecting your business assets and information.

• Cloud storage and back-up: These are two different things​
  • ​Cloud storage: This is typically more quickly retrievable material. Examples include Dropbox, Google storage/workspace, Google photos. 
  • Cloud back-up: You can access files from here but it's a bit more unwieldy to retrieve, edit, and re-save. This is more longer term storage and recovery like Backblaze and Carbonite. 
• External hard drive: This may be in addition or instead of cloud storage. (I have both.) It's small, portable, and can hold critical files and documents including tax documents from prior years. 
• Password protection and access: If you rely on a paper rolodex or file box, you may be able to grab-and-go on the way out. Many are selecting password manager services. Here is an article listing a few provideres.
• Tech tools: This would be the last thing to grab in my book as there are options available in a pinch at libraries or for purchase. IF you have time, grabbing your laptop or tablet will get you started while away.

What Do You Recommend?
This post is written by someone fortunate who has not actually lived through an evacuation or disaster but is familiar with memory keeping and electronic storage best practices. 

What additional considerations do you have to add to this resource list? Your insight is especially valuable if you've lived through a disaster. 

I provide a number of services for nonprofits, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and authors. I look forward to discussing ways to Engage your customers - Let's Chat!

Evacuation Checklist