Outsmart Disaster
Preparedness for Small Businesses
Disruptions happen—power outages, supply chain delays, cyber incidents, wildfires, earthquakes and more. This interactive workshop helps small businesses prepare before and recover after an interruption, so you are not scrambling during a crisis.
Participants will walk through all six steps of the Outsmart Disaster Resiliency Roadmap and begin creating or strengthening their business preparedness plan.
The session focuses on practical, realistic actions businesses can take to protect operations, revenue, employees, and customers.
Outsmart Disaster is your preparedness partner. We guide you step by step through creating a Resiliency Roadmap so you can plan during the calm and bounce back when things get tough. We also provide business preparedness tips and recovery resources.
Together, we can be ready for any interruptions.
Empowering Small Businesses to Prepare in Blue Skies, and Recover from Gray Skies
Every $1 Invested in Disaster Mitigation Saves $13 in Recovery
40% of Businesses do not Reopen Immediately After Disasters
An Additional 25% of Businesses Close Within 12 Months
Outsmart Disaster’s Resiliency Roadmap
Helps Develop A Preparation Plan With Six Simple Steps
Your Resiliency Roadmap is the umbrella you keep ready when skies are clear, so you can open it the moment gray skies are a threat. By preparing now, you’ll have a reliable shield to protect your business from whatever challenges come your way. Start now with our downloadable booklet and forms to guide you every step of the way.
Recognize Potential Threats
Identify, prioritize, and document risks unique to your business
Establish Clear Communication Channels
Gather contacts, plan communication, and set up emergency alerts
Understand Your Operations
Prioritize processes, document equipment, and secure IT systems
Hazard Mitigation Planning
Assess building safety, inventory, backups, and safety features
Understand Your Insurance and Finances
Review insurance, plan finances, and explore disaster relief options
Create and Test Emergency Response Plan
Train employees, test plans, and prepare an emergency kit
Certified Trainer Interest Form
Do you work with small businesses and entrepreneurs? Become an Outsmart Disaster Certified Trainer. This program is designed for community-based organizations, chambers, local agencies, and trainers that support small businesses and want to deliver Outsmart Disaster resiliency training in their communities.
Key Resources
Explore preparedness, response, recovery, and risk planning resources for businesses and communities.
MyHazards (CalOES)
Discover hazards in your area and learn steps to reduce personal risk.
MyShake App
Keeps you informed about earthquakes in real time using data from your phone's sensors.
NOAA Weather Radio
All Hazard Factsheet with guidance on alerts, SAME technology, and radios.
Local Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADS)
Get connected to your local VOAD.
CalOES Regional Contacts
Locate your emergency response region and coordination contacts using the Cal OES Administrative Regions Interactive Map.
Ready.gov Crisis Communications Plans
Review this resource to better understand how your business can respond promptly, accurately, and confidently during an emergency and the days that follow.
Strengthen Your Cybersecurity (SBA)
Learn about cybersecurity threats and how your business can protect itself.
Protective Actions (FEMA) (CalOES)
Research validated advice that anyone can take to prepare for, stay safe during, and recover from a disaster.
Ready.gov
Offers business leaders a step by step guide to build disaster preparedness within an organization.
Disaster Relief Loan Guarantees (IBank)
Incentivizes lenders to help small businesses that have suffered disaster related losses by backing up to 95 percent of the loan. Available after a Governor's Emergency Declaration.
Ready.gov Emergency Response Plan
Tips and resources for developing an emergency plan.
Ready.gov Business Employee Training
Guide on how to train employees to become familiar with evacuation, shelter in place, lockdowns, and more.
Ready.gov Emergency Supply Kit
Tips on what you should keep in a basic disaster supply kit.
Listos California (CalOES)
Provides Californian families and households with disaster readiness tools and resources in different languages.
National Risk Index (FEMA)
Interactive mapping tool to assess the likelihood of different types of natural hazards in your community.
California Department of Insurance Small Business Guide to Commercial Insurance
Describes policy types, gives examples, and includes a helpful glossary.
Document and Insure Your Property (FEMA)
Fact sheet explaining coverage terms, settlement options, how to file a claim, and how to qualify for discounts.
General emergency resources.
