emergency business plan template

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Emergency Plans

The process for creating a business’s preparedness plans should encompass as much as possible of what a business might need during an emergency. This includes communications planning, IT support and recovery, and continuity plans.

Response and Recovery Plans

Business Continuity Plans

Organize a business continuity team and compile a business continuity plan to manage a business disruption. Learn more about how to put together a business continuity plan with videos.

Crisis Communications

The need to communicate is immediate when an emergency occurs. Customers will want to know how they will be affected, and regulators and local government officials will need to be notified. Employees and their families will be concerned and want information. Developing a plan in advance will let your business leaders respond to these communications needs promptly.

Emergency Response

The actions taken in the initial minutes of an emergency are critical. A prompt warning to employees to evacuate, shelter or lockdown can save lives. A call for help to public emergency services that provides full and accurate information will help the dispatcher send the right responders and equipment. Establishing an emergency response plan ahead of time will save valuable minutes when an emergency happens.

IT Disaster Recovery

Technology recovery strategies should be developed to restore hardware, applications and data in time to meet the needs of the business recovery. An information technology disaster recovery plan (IT DRP) should be developed in conjunction with the business continuity plan.

Last Updated: 09/07/2023

Return to top

• Desktop Pop-up Alert
• Desktop Scrolling Ticker
• One-click Alert
• Login Screen Alert
• Corporate Screensaver
• Corporate Wallpaper
• Corporate Lockscreen
• SMS Notification
• Emergency Alert
• Digital Signage
• Email Notification
• Extended Reports
• RSVP Invitation
• Video Alert
• Skin Editor
• Mobile Client App
• Technical Support
• Professional Services
• Annual Maintenance
• Engineering
• Hospitality
• Manufacturing
• Oil and Gas
• Change Management
• Email Overload
• Employee Engagement
• Emergency Communications
• Remote Communications
• Compliance Communications
• Internal Communication System
• Crisis Communications
• HR Communications
• Product Overview
• System Requirements
• Documentation
• Templates Library
• Knowledge Base
• AD Integration
• SSO Integration
• API Integration
• Automated Incident Notifications
• MS Teams Integration
• Case Studies
• Become a Partner
• Our Partners

Emergency Response Plan

Caroline Duncan : Mar 15, 2024 8:33:40 PM

In today's unpredictable world, emergencies can occur at any time, without notice, disrupting normal operations and posing serious risks to employees, customers, and assets. Whether it's a natural disaster, a medical emergency, or a security threat, having a comprehensive emergency response plan in place is essential for organizations of all sizes and across all industries. 

An emergency preparedness and response plan is necessary as it outlines clear protocols and procedures to follow during crises, ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved while minimizing potential damage and disruptions.

Table of contents

What is an emergency response plan?

What is the purpose of an emergency plan, what happens if your company fails to implement an emergency response plan, a step-by-step guide to creating an emergency preparedness and response plan.

Emergency response plans are structured strategies designed to guide an organization's actions in the event of various emergencies, ranging from natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes to man-made crises such as fires, chemical spills, or security threats. 

An emergency preparedness plan for the workplace outlines specific procedures and protocols to be followed by employees, managers, and other stakeholders during emergencies, with the overarching goal of ensuring the safety of individuals, protecting assets and minimizing disruptions to business operations.

There are several important reasons why every company should have an effective emergency management plan in place:

• Mitigating risks and vulnerabilities by identifying potential hazards and establishing proactive measures.
• Responding more effectively and efficiently during emergencies, reducing confusion and panic among employees.
• Demonstrating a commitment to employee safety and well-being, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience.
• Enhancing compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards, avoiding legal and financial consequences.
• Safeguarding the organization's reputation and credibility by demonstrating its ability to handle crises professionally and responsibly.

Now you know what is a response plan, it’s important to understand the consequences of not having one. Failing to have an emergency response plan in place can expose your company to a range of serious consequences, both in terms of human safety and financial impact. Without a structured plan to guide actions during emergencies, the organization risks being ill-prepared to effectively manage crises, resulting in potentially devastating outcomes.

A safety emergency response plan can include:

• Jeopardizing the safety and well-being of employees, customers, and other stakeholders are jeopardized. In the absence of clear procedures and protocols, individuals may not know how to react or where to seek help during emergencies, leading to confusion, panic, and increased risk of injury or harm.
• Significant disruptions to business operations. From property damage to supply chain interruptions, emergencies can cause downtime, lost revenue, and increased expenses for repairs and recovery efforts.
• Damage to the company’s reputation and credibility.  Failure to adequately address emergencies may erode trust among stakeholders, including customers, investors, and regulatory authorities, leading to long-term reputational harm and potential legal repercussions.

20 BEST SAFETY TIPS FOR WORK IN 2024

Crafting an effective emergency response plan is essential for any organization to ensure the safety of its employees, protect assets, and maintain business continuity during times of crisis. You can use a company emergency response plan template to save time. Here's a step-by-step guide to help with emergency response planning so you can develop a comprehensive plan tailored to your organization's needs:

• Assess risks and hazards:
• Identify potential hazards that could affect your organization, such as natural disasters, technological failures or security threats.
• Evaluate the likelihood and potential impact of each hazard, considering factors like location, severity and frequency of occurrence.

12 RISK COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES

• Establish objectives:
• Define clear objectives for your emergency response plans, outlining what you aim to achieve during emergencies.
• Consider goals such as ensuring the safety of employees and visitors, protecting critical infrastructure and assets and minimizing disruptions to business operations.
• Form an emergency planning team:
• Assemble a dedicated team responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the business emergency response plan.
• Include representatives from relevant departments, such as IT, communications, operations, security, human resources and facilities management.
• Gather information:
• Collect essential information needed for emergency response planning, including floor plans, contact lists, utility shut-off procedures and emergency service providers. This information will need to be filled in on your emergency response plan template.
• Ensure all team members have access to up-to-date information and resources necessary for effective response.
• Develop response procedures:
• Create detailed procedures outlining specific actions to be taken before, during and after emergencies.
• Define roles and responsibilities for team members, specifying who will initiate the response, coordinate communication and oversee different aspects of the plan.
• Communicate protocols:
• Establish communication protocols and channels for disseminating information during emergencies .
• Ensure employees understand what is an emergency preparedness plan and are also aware of their roles and responsibilities, as well as how to report emergencies and access assistance.
• Training and drills:
• Conduct regular training sessions and emergency drills to familiarize employees with response procedures and protocols.
• Practice scenarios relevant to your organization's specific risks and hazards to enhance preparedness and effectiveness.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING SOFTWARE

• Resource allocation:
• Identify and allocate necessary resources, including personnel, equipment, supplies, and facilities to support emergency response efforts.
• Establish procedures for mobilizing resources quickly and efficiently during emergencies.
• Coordinate with external partners:
• Establish relationships with local emergency services, government agencies and community organizations to coordinate response efforts and access additional support.
• Share relevant information and collaborate on planning and preparedness activities to enhance overall resilience.
• Review and revision:
• Regularly review and update the emergency response plan template to reflect changes in risks, resources, or procedures.
• Incorporate lessons learned from drills, exercises and real-world incidents to improve effectiveness and responsiveness.
• Documentation and distribution:
• Document your emergency response plans thoroughly, including procedures, protocols, contact information, and supporting documents. You can use an emergency plan example template as the basis so you don’t have to start from scratch.
• Ensure the plan is accessible to all relevant personnel, either in printed form or electronically and distribute copies as needed.

10 EMERGENCY MESSAGE TEMPLATES

• Testing and evaluation:
• Conduct regular tests and evaluations of your emergency response plans to assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Solicit feedback from team members , stakeholders, and participants to refine procedures and enhance overall preparedness.

By following these steps and customizing the emergency response plan template to fit your organization's unique needs, you can develop an effective emergency management plan that helps protect lives, safeguard assets, and maintain business continuity during emergencies.

How DeskAlerts tools can help with your emergency response

DeskAlerts plays a crucial role in bolstering businesses' risk management strategies. Through its robust notification system, DeskAlerts ensures swift dissemination of critical information during emergencies, enabling timely response to mitigate risks:

•  DeskAlerts channels like screensavers, corporate lockscreens, pop-up notifications, digital signage and wallpapers can be used to raise awareness all year round so that people know what to do when there is an emergency situation.
• It facilitates instant communication across various channels, ensuring that stakeholders receive vital alerts promptly, reducing reaction time in crisis situations.
•  DeskAlerts' customizable features allow tailored notifications for specific risks, enhancing preparedness and response efficiency. 
• Its reporting and tracking capabilities enable businesses to assess the effectiveness of emergency management protocols and refine them accordingly.
• You can save time in a crisis by using pre-prepared templates that have been made in advance.
• Save even more time by using a shortcut “panic button” on your desktop or on a mobile app so you can send emergency notifications in just two seconds.
• The panic button has recently had enhancements that allow administrators to configure it so that alerts can be sent to specific users or groups.This means you can send response teams the types of information they need to act on that is different to the general information you would send to the entire organization in an emergency.
• Administrators can monitor any type of DeskAlerts notification to determine who has activated an alert, and who has received and acknowledged a message so that a clear line of communication and response can be maintained.

Ultimately, DeskAlerts empowers organizations to proactively address threats, safeguard assets, and maintain operational continuity, fostering resilience in dynamic environments.

The absence of an emergency response plan leaves an organization vulnerable to a host of negative consequences, underscoring the critical importance of proactive preparedness measures to safeguard both people and assets. It’s worthwhile to dedicate time and effort to emergency response planning so you can be on the front foot in a crisis.

What is the emergency response plan?

An emergency response plan is a strategy that outlines the procedures and protocols to be followed in the event of various emergencies that can begall an organization such as natural disasters, accidents, or security threats. It includes measures for evacuations, communication protocols, emergency contacts, medical assistance,  resource allocation and any other steps necessary for the organization to get through the emergency.

What is the emergency response procedure?

An emergency response procedure is a set of predefined actions and protocols designed to be implemented in the event of an emergency. It outlines step-by-step instructions for responding to specific types of emergencies, such as fires, natural disasters or medical incidents. 

These procedures can be found in an emergency response plan template and typically include measures for evacuation, communication, emergency services coordination, and ensuring the safety and welfare of individuals involved.

What are the 10 steps for developing the emergency response plan?

The 10 steps for developing the emergency response plan are:

• Identify potential hazards and assess their likelihood and potential impact.
• Define clear objectives and goals for the emergency response plan.
• Form a dedicated team responsible for developing and implementing the plan.
• Establish communication protocols and channels for disseminating information during emergencies.
• Develop procedures and routes for safe and efficient evacuation if necessary.
• Coordinate with local emergency services and authorities for support and assistance.
• Conduct regular training sessions and drills to ensure preparedness and familiarity with procedures.
• Identify and allocate necessary resources, including personnel, equipment, and facilities.
• Regularly review and update the plan to reflect changes in risks, resources, or procedures.
• Document the plan comprehensively and ensure it is accessible to all relevant personnel.

What are the 5 steps of emergency response?

These are the 5 steps of emergency response:

• Assess the situation: Quickly evaluate the nature and severity of the emergency to determine appropriate actions.
• Establish communication: Establish clear communication channels to relay information and coordinate response efforts.
• Implement response plan: Execute predefined procedures outlined in the emergency response plan template, including evacuation, first aid, or containment measures.
• Mobilize resources: Activate necessary resources, such as personnel, equipment, and emergency services, to address the situation effectively.
• Monitor and make necessary adjustments: Continuously monitor the situation, adjust response efforts as needed, and provide updates to stakeholders.

 Send urgent notifications to any corporate devices: PCs, phones, tablets, etc.

The high visibility combined with our 100% delivery rate guarantee. Bypass information overload. Deliver key information even if the computer is on screensaver mode, locked or sleeping.

Posts by Tag

• Alert Software (43)
• Best Practices (13)
• Business Continuity (8)
• Change Management (23)
• Communication in finance (6)
• Communications Feedback Solutions (27)
• Construction Industry (5)
• Corporate Communication Strategy (29)
• Corporate Communication Tools (29)
• Corporate compliance (7)
• Corporate lockscreen (3)
• Corporate screensaver (4)
• Corporate wallpaper (5)
• COVID-19 (31)
• Crisis Communications (7)
• Cybersecurity (25)
• Desktop Alerts (16)
• Desktop Alerts Software (28)
• Digital signage (6)
• duty of care (4)
• Education (11)
• Email overload (17)
• Emergency Alert System (71)
• Emergency communications (21)
• Employee Communication (25)
• Employee Communication Channels (15)
• Employee Engagement (43)
• Employee quiz (2)
• Employee survey (4)
• Executive communications (6)
• Government Industry (6)
• Health and Safety Training (3)
• Healthcare (25)
• Helpdesk (26)
• Hospitality (1)
• HR Communications (58)
• Improve Corporate Communication (430)
• Internal Communication Best Practices (121)
• Internal Communication Channels (29)
• Internal Communication Plan (12)
• Internal Communication Strategy (27)
• Internal Communication Tools (51)
• Internal Communications (49)
• Internal marketing communications (4)
• Internet Security (41)
• IT communications (17)
• IT Issues (24)
• IT Outage (23)
• Manufacturing (5)
• Mass notification (28)
• Mobile App (2)
• MS Teams (2)
• New Release (1)
• Organizational culture (10)
• Pharmaceutical industry (1)
• Pop-up alerts (7)
• RSVP alert (3)
• Safety Culture (5)
• Security Awareness Training (18)
• SMS Notifications (1)
• Staff training (5)
• Strategy-Internal Communication Tools (2)
• Telecom (1)
• Video Alert (3)
• Workplace Safety (1)

What is Alyssa’s Law and How Can DeskAlerts Instruments Help Schools?

Many states across the USA have now implemented “Alyssa’s Law” to help improve emergency response times in public elementary and secondary schools....

SB 553 Workplace Violence Prevention: What California Employers Need to Know

California has taken a significant step towards prioritizing workplace safety with the introduction of groundbreaking legislation that comes into...

ALERTS IN EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS

What are alerts in emergency warning systems? Alerts in emergency warning systems are notifications or signals designed to inform individuals or...

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• For Businesses

Prepare My Business for an Emergency

Businesses can do much to prepare for the impact of the many hazards they face in today’s world including natural hazards, human-caused hazards or technology related hazards.

• Natural hazards could be a flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake or a widespread serious illness such as the H1N1 flu virus pandemic.
• Human-caused hazards include accidents, acts of violence by people and acts of terrorism.
• Examples of technology-related hazards are the failure or malfunction of systems, equipment or software.

DHS/FEMA sponsors a resource called “Ready Business” to assist businesses in developing a preparedness program by providing tools to create a plan that addresses the impact of many hazards. The direction recommended is to adopt a standard for Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs called an “all hazards approach.”

Steps to Create a Business Preparedness Program

To develop an “all hazards approach,” DHS has adopted National Fire Protection Association 1600 (NFPA 1600) as the American National Standard for developing a preparedness program.

There are five steps toward creating a business preparedness program:

1. Program Management

• Organize, develop and administer your preparedness program
• Identify regulations that establish minimum requirements for your program

2. Planning

• Gather information about hazards and assess risks
• Conduct a business impact analysis (BIA)
• Examine ways to prevent hazards and reduce risks

3. Implementation

Write a preparedness plan addressing:

• Resource management
• Emergency response
• Crisis communications
• Business continuity
• Information technology
• Employee assistance
• Incident management

4. Testing and Exercises

• Test and evaluate your plan
• Define different types of exercises
• Learn how to conduct exercises
• Use exercise results to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan

5. Program Improvement

• Identify when the preparedness program needs to be reviewed
• Discover methods to evaluate the preparedness program
• Utilize the review to make necessary changes and plan improvements
• How Do I - For Businesses
• Preparedness

Go to homepage business.govt.nz business.govt.nz

Business.govt.nz, in association with, emergency planning.

What will you and your staff do if a disaster strikes? Putting time into planning for emergencies makes good business sense — it helps keep you and your workers safe and minimises downtime.

Get prepared

An emergency plan is a health and safety requirement. Not having one is a big risk for your business and the people in it.

Being prepared for an emergency or disaster can:

• save lives and prevent harm
• help businesses to continue trading through hardship
• give staff and owners confidence
• protect equipment and premises
• quickly get businesses running again.

Natural disaster + being prepared = better for business

Keeping your business healthy and safe

Watch: Plan for emergencies

Video transcript: Plan for emergencies

[Audio/Visual: Upbeat music starts playing with blue introduction screen with white business.govt.nz logo. The words “Plan for emergencies” appear on screen for a few seconds. The screen cuts to a profile shot of the male presenter against a blue background. He is wearing an ivory blazer over a white dress shirt.]

Natural disasters can happen at any minute. No matter where you are in New Zealand, it’s a good idea to have a plan ready to keep you and your team safe during an emergency.

Being prepared for a sudden disaster doesn’t just save lives and prevent harm, but can help your business to quickly get up and running again, and continue trading through hardship.

[Visual: the screen cuts to an office setting with six female employees sitting at their computers for a few seconds, then cuts to two women putting labels on jars.]

An emergency plan is a health and safety requirement, and not having one puts your business and the people in it at risk.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a two chefs in a commercial kitchen preparing food. After a few seconds, the screen cuts to a woman in a workshop with earmuffs on. There is exposed concrete flooring and tools hanging above a workbench.]

No one expects you to be able to plan for every kind of emergency, but you should have a good idea of the risks you face at work, given your industry and location.

[Visual: the screen cuts to an upper body shot of the presenter on the left side of the screen against a blue background.]

If you have a team, talk to them about the risks they think are most relevant. We’ve mentioned a few, but a list of emergencies you might need a plan for are:

[Visual: “Health emergencies” shows up in bold white text on the top right of the screen. Below this, a bullet point list appears:

• Workplace incidents
•  Chemical spills
• Medical emergencies
• Violent people
• Animal attacks.

This title and list then disappear and are replaced by a new title “Public health events”. Below this, a bullet point list appears:

• COVID-19 pandemic.

After a few seconds, this text is replaced by a new title “Utility failures”. Below this, a bullet point list appears:

• Electricity outages
• Water supply issues.

Health emergencies, like workplace incidents, chemical spills, medical emergencies, violent people, animal attacks, and public health events, like the Covid-19 pandemic. Utility failures, like electricity outages, IT outages, and water supply issues.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a profile shot of the presenter on the left side of the screen.

When making a procedure plan, remember that emergencies often require you to be flexible. Think about strategies rather than rigid plans and save electronic and paper copies of what to do and when.

[Visual: the words “Electronic and paper copies” appear in the top right side of the screen in bold white text. Below this, a bullet point list appears:

This text disappears after a few seconds.]

In your plan, be clear about:

[Visual: The title “Plan” shows up in bold white text on the top right of the screen. A bullet point “ – Assembly point” appears below this. Both disappear after a few seconds.]

An assembly point: Decide on a safe meeting place that’s close to your premises. In a major crisis, staff will want to be with their families.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a shot of a man on a building site looking at his phone. After a few seconds the shot cutes to a group of tradies on a job site talking to each other in a circle.]

Make a plan for staff to leave, after you’ve accounted for all of them.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a profile shot of the presenter on the left side of the screen. The title “Plan” shows up in bold white text on the right side of the screen. Below this, a bullet point “ – How to stay in contact” appears.]

Plan how to stay in contact, especially if you have staff that work offsite.

[Visual: the screen cuts to an upper body shot of the presenter in the centre of the screen.]

Make sure to contact staff to let them know when and where to report to work. Plan for alternative premises or work arrangements if your workplace is unsafe.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a shot of a woman in an orange high-vis vest with the words “fire warden” on the back leading a group of employees out of an office building.]

Allocate staff wardens and make them responsible for counting all workers and visitors after an evacuation.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a picture of a St John first aid kit. The contents of the kit are in front, including plasters, ice pack, cotton swabs, scissors, tweezers, rubber gloves, gauze and wrapping tape.]

Have a procedure to handle injuries. You’ll need a first aid kit for minor injuries.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a woman in a black blazer scrolling through her phone. After a few seconds, the shot cuts to a nurse with a face mask performing CPR on a dummy.]

Identify the nearest medical centre or hospital for anything more serious, and find out if any staff members have first aid training.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a profile shot of the presenter on the left side of the screen. “Important contact details” appears in bold white text on the top right of the screen. A bullet point list appears below this:

• Emergency services
• Insurance companies.]

Keep important contact details updated and handy. This includes phone numbers for staff, emergency services, clients, suppliers and insurance companies.

[Visual: the screen cuts to the Civil Defence website showing a map of local civil defence groups. There is a list of regions with civil defence groups:

• Bay of Plenty
• Manawatu – Whanganui
• Hawkes Bay.

The Hawkes Bay tab is open, cutting off the rest of the list and showing details of the Hawkes Bay Civil Defence group. After a few seconds, the screen cuts to a Facebook post from Auckland Emergency Management about cyclone Gabrielle accommodation support.]

You can also follow your local civil defence and emergency management group website and Facebook page to get information and assistance in an emergency.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a profile shot of the presenter. A title “Switch off” appears in bold white text on the top right of the screen. A bullet point list appears below this:

• Electricity
• Gas supplies.

You may need to switch off electricity, water and gas supplies if you suspect there’s a leak. Fires caused by gas leaks and electrical sparks are a risk after a natural disaster strikes.

[Visual: the screen cuts to an gas meter box on the outside of a building. The screen then cuts to an electricity fuse box.]

Make sure you or a designated staff member know when and how to shut electricity, water and gas off.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a profile shot of the presenter on the left side of the screen. A title “How will you contact staff” appears in bold white text on the top right of the screen with a bullet point list below it:

• Do they need help
• Keep them informed.]
• As well as outlining what to do, your plan should include how you will contact staff to make sure they are OK, check to see if they need any help, and keep them informed.
• [Visual: the screen cuts to a shot of a man in a wheelchair coming out of a lift. After a few seconds the screen cuts to the feet of a person walking with a white cane sweeping in front of them.]
• Talk to employees with disabilities. Find out what assistance, if any, they require if there’s an emergency, and consider how to assist any visitors who have a disability.
• [Visual: the screen cuts to a profile shot of the presenter on the left side of the screen. A title “Keep a bag of essentials” shows up in bold white text. A bullet point list appears below this:
• Emergency contact details.
• First aid kit.
• Emergency supplies.

Other tips to help you prepare for a sudden disaster include:

Keep a bag of essentials, including emergency contact details, a first aid kit and emergency supplies. Appoint someone to grab it if there’s an emergency.

[Visual: A title “Emergency supplies” appears in bold white text on the top right of the screen. A bullet point list appears below this:

• First aid kit

Emergency supplies can include water, blankets, rope, torches, radio, first aid kit, dust masks and gloves.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a shot of multiple people placing food tins, jars and bottles into a plastic tub.]

If you provide food for staff, you’ll still need to provide it in an emergency. Stock enough supplies for 24 hours.

[Visual: the screen cuts to a profile shot of the presenter in the centre of the screen against a blue background.]

Once your plan is complete, practice it, and update it as your business grows or changes.

Schedule dry runs regularly — at least twice a year — but also throw in surprise drills. Discuss how these went and how you can improve, using different scenarios to cover fires, earthquakes and other hazards.

[Visual: the screen cuts to an upper body shot of the presenter.]

People respond to and recover from emergencies in different ways. Rather than assuming how badly affected a person may be—

[Visual: the screen cuts to a shot of a man and woman sitting opposite each other in an office setting. They are talking to each other and taking notes.

Make a point of regularly asking about their wellbeing following a crisis.

For advice on preparing for, and recovering from a disaster, and how to look after your people in an extended crisis, plus an earthquake preparedness checklist and more, head to the learning summary of this video.

[Audio / Visual: The music slowly fades out while a blue outro screen appears with the business.govt.nz logo in the centre of the screen. This logo disappears and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment logo appears on the left-hand side and the Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa, New Zealand Government logo appears on the right-hand side.] [Video ends]

Identify emergency risks

No one expects you to be able to plan for every kind of emergency. You should have a good idea of risks you face at work, given your specific industry and location. It’s about being prepared for scenarios most relevant to your situation.

It is especially important to plan for sudden events that may occur with little to no warning or time to prepare.

Here are some emergencies you might need a plan for — some may be more of a threat to you than others.

• Natural hazards: Earthquake, flood, tsunami, volcanic eruption or ash, landslide, tornado or high winds, extreme weather (eg drought, major storm), fire.
• Health emergencies: Workplace incidents, Hazardous substance event (eg chemical spill), medical emergency, public health event (eg pandemics), violent people, animal attacks, epidemics.
• Utility failures: Electricity outages, IT outages, water supply issues.

If you have staff, talk to them about the risks they think are most relevant to your business.

Read our guide on how to assess risk for more information. What you learn from this assessment can form the basis of your emergency plan.

Resilient Organisations has information on how small businesses can prepare for an emergency.

Shut happens: Resilience for small business [PDF, 432KB] (external link) — Resilient Organisations

Striving through [PDF, 2.1MB] (external link) — Resilient Organisations

Civil Defence has information about preparing for, and recovering from a disaster.

Hazards (external link) — Civil Defence

How to assess health and safety risks

A small factory runs a staff workshop to assess the most likely risks of an emergency in their workplace.

The factory uses heavy machinery and chemicals, so the team decides to include strategies for dealing with electrical fires and chemical spills in its emergency plan.

The team puts together an emergency plan, which includes:

• how emergency procedures will be tested, including debriefing after each test to improve things that didn’t go according to plan
• frequency of these tests
• contact details of people to alert in an emergency
• what each person’s role is during an emergency
• details of which chemicals are used and how they are stored
• step-by-step instructions on what to do for spills of every type of chemical they use.

Each person is responsible in different ways. Lydia will make sure everyone is accounted for if the workshop is evacuated. Mike will contact emergency services. Francis is responsible for keeping emergency gear stocked and accessible.

The manager Lucas makes sure the emergency plan can be seen by all employees and site visitors, and he adds it to new employee induction packs. Lucas also realises he needs be at the helm if there’s an emergency. As the leader of the business, he must be prepared to be direct and give clear instructions.

Emergency management requirement — Compliance Matters

Hazardous substances requirement — Compliance Matters

Talk to employees with disabilities

Find out what assistance, if any, they require if there’s an emergency. Consider how to assist any visitors who have a disability.

What your plan should cover

Scale your plan to your business. This means if you’re a two-person operation, you may decide to meet at the school close to work if there’s an emergency. If your business is bigger or more complex, you’ll probably need more structured systems in place.

As you make plans, remember emergencies often require you to be flexible. Think about strategies rather than rigid plans. Save electronic and paper copies of your plan.

Emergency procedures

These should include:

Staff evacuation: Be clear about the procedure to follow in an emergency. If staff work offsite, plan how to stay in contact.

Make sure staff know what to do in case of:

• Fire: If you own your premises, you must set up and maintain a fire evacuation plan. If you are a tenant, follow your landlord’s evacuation plan. You may need an approved evacuation scheme. Check New Zealand Fire Service’s website for criteria. Do I need an approved evacuation scheme? (external link) — New Zealand Fire Service Fire and Emergency New Zealand has a tool to help you create an escape plan in the event of a fire. Creating an escape plan (external link) — Fire and Emergency New Zealand
• Earthquake: Unlike fire threats, it’s dangerous to evacuate staff outside during and immediately after a quake. Everyone should drop, cover and hold during the quake. Make a plan on where to meet after the shaking stops.

Earthquake preparedness checklist [PDF, 486KB] (external link)  — Resilient Organisations

• Tsunami: Find out if your workplace is in a tsunami zone. If an earthquake lasts longer than a minute, or knocks you off your feet, plan to get to higher ground or as far inland as possible. Remember, a tsunami may arrive before an official warning is given. Your local civil defence and emergency management group will have more information on tsunami procedures. Local civil defence groups (external link) — Civil Defence

Assembly point: Decide on a safe meeting place that’s close to your premises. In a major crisis, staff will want to be with their families. Make a plan for staff to leave — after telling you they are going. Civil Defence has templates to help you and your staff plan to get home after an event.

Personal workplace emergency plan and other downloads (external link) — Civil Defence

Wardens: Make staff wardens responsible for counting all workers and visitors, eg sub-contractors and clients, after an evacuation. Have alternates in case of absence.

First aid: Have a procedure to handle injuries. You’ll need a medical kit for minor injuries. Identify the nearest medical centre or hospital for anything more serious. Find out if any staff members have first aid training.

Emergency contacts: Keep important contact details updated and handy. This includes phone numbers for staff, emergency services, clients, suppliers and insurance company. Also follow your local civil defence and emergency management group website and Facebook page to get information and assistance in an emergency.

Find your local civil defence group (external link) — Civil Defence

Communication: Make sure you have a plan for contacting staff to let them know when and where to report to work. Plan for an alternative premises or work arrangements if your workplace is unsafe.

Utilities: You may need to switch off electricity, water and gas supplies if you suspect there’s a leak. Fires caused by gas leaks and electrical sparks are a risk after a natural disaster strikes. You will also want to save water. Make sure you or a designated staff member know when and how to shut these off.

Looking after people

Your plan should include how you will contact staff to make sure they are OK, see what help they need and keep them informed.

People respond to and recover from emergencies in different ways. Rather than assuming how badly affected a person may be, make a point of regularly asking about their wellbeing following a crisis.

As an employer, consider what you can do to support staff and their families. If your premises close for some time, how can you bring your team back together?

Resilient Organisations has advice on how to look after your people in an extended crisis.

Staffed or Stuffed (external link) — Resilient Organisations

If you provide products or services that are important during emergencies, plan how you will cope with a surge in demand. Also think about whether your business can offer support to the community or other businesses in times of need.

Do keep a grab bag of essentials.

Store emergency contact details, a first aid kit and any essential items together. Appoint someone to grab it if there’s an emergency. Staff should also keep their own grab bag near their work stations.

Emergency supplies

Consider installing a civil defence cabinet stocked with emergency supplies, eg water, blankets, rope, torches, radio, first aid kit, dust masks and gloves.

It’s also a good idea to keep petrol tanks at least half-full in all work vehicles. ATMs may not be working if the electricity is out, so it’s a good idea to have emergency cash on hand.

Guideline for Civil Defence Cabinets (external link) — Civil Defence

How to be prepared at work (external link) — Civil Defence

A business continuity plan (BCP) is your post-emergency blueprint.

It covers how to keep your business running after an emergency.

Continuity and contingency planning

To make plans that work, get staff input and hold regular drills.

Practice your plan.

Plans must be living documents that get updated as your business grows or changes. Communication is key — and so is updating your plan when needed.

Schedule dry runs regularly — at least twice a year — but also throw in surprise drills. Discuss how these went and how you can improve. Use different scenarios to cover fires, earthquakes and other hazards.

Involve staff 

Get all workers to take part in talks about emergencies. Make sure everyone’s clear about what they should do.

Think about setting up a team to plan for emergencies, preferably drawn from across your business. The team can lead all-staff talks and keep the plan updated.

Don't plan for emergencies alone.

Getting other people involved will lead to a more robust plan that is easier to keep updated and carry out.

COVID-19 business resilience resources (external link) — Resilient Organisations

Resilience tools (external link) — Resilient Organisations

How helpful did you find this information?

"Rate this" is required

You must enable JavaScript to submit this form

Related content

Getting workers engaged in h&s.

Everyone is responsible for H&S and helping one another stay healthy and safe.

Health and safety basics

Discover useful actions that will help you control risks, protect people and meet your legal responsibilities.

How to approach workers about H&S

An essential part of creating a good H&S culture at your work involves having regular H&S conversations.

Keeping people healthy and safe

Emergency Action Plan Template

What is an Emergency Action Plan?

An emergency action plan (EAP) is developed to help protect employees and stakeholders during an emergency situation. It outlines the steps to take in order to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively, and includes detailed information on emergency personnel, resources, and communication methods. It also helps organizations to comply with applicable laws and regulations. This template provides a comprehensive framework for creating an emergency action plan and provides guidance on how to plan for, respond to, and recover from different types of emergencies.

What's included in this Emergency Action Plan template?

• 3 focus areas
• 6 objectives

Each focus area has its own objectives, projects, and KPIs to ensure that the strategy is comprehensive and effective.

Who is the Emergency Action Plan template for?

This emergency action plan template is designed for organizations and teams who need to create a comprehensive plan to respond to emergencies and ensure the safety of their employees and stakeholders. It is suitable for businesses of all sizes, including small businesses, large corporations, non-profits, and government agencies.

1. Define clear examples of your focus areas

Focus areas are broad topics that encompass many objectives. Examples of focus areas might include Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Communications, and Emergency Resources. Each focus area should have its own set of objectives, actions, and measures that align with the overall plan.

2. Think about the objectives that could fall under that focus area

Objectives are specific goals that are designed to help you reach the overall plan. For example, under the Emergency Preparedness focus area, objectives might include developing an emergency response plan and training staff on the plan. Objectives should be measurable and achievable in a set time frame.

3. Set measurable targets (KPIs) to tackle the objective

Key performance indicators (KPIs) measure how well you are progressing towards achieving each objective. They are quantifiable and measurable, such as the number of staff trained on the emergency response plan within a certain time frame. KPIs should be set so that you can easily track progress and make adjustments if needed.

4. Implement related projects to achieve the KPIs

Actions, or projects, are the steps taken to achieve the objectives and KPIs. For instance, in order to develop an emergency response plan, an action might be to create the plan. Actions should be specific, measurable, and achievable within a set time frame.

5. Utilize Cascade Strategy Execution Platform to see faster results from your strategy

Cascade Strategy Execution Platform is designed to help organizations develop, manage, and execute their strategies. It allows organizations to track and monitor progress on objectives and projects, as well as identify areas of improvement. Cascade helps teams stay focused on their strategic goals and see faster results from their strategies.

• +1 (800) 826-0777
• VIRTUAL TOUR
• Mass Notification
• Threat Intelligence
• Employee Safety Monitoring
• Travel Risk Management
• Emergency Preparedness
• Remote Workforce
• Location and Asset Protection
• Business Continuity
• Why AlertMedia
• Who We Serve
• Customer Spotlights
• Resource Library
• Downloads & Guides

Minimizing Downtime With a Comprehensive Disaster Recovery Plan Checklist

Preparing for recovery starts long before a disaster occurs. Use this checklist to help plan ahead to minimize disruptions and downtime from any business disaster.

• Checklist Infographic

13-Step Disaster Recovery Plan Checklist

When a disaster strikes—whether it’s a crippling ransomware event or a destructive natural disaster—a smooth recovery process is critical to getting back on your feet. But that recovery doesn’t simply unfold as soon as the storm recedes. Rapid operational recovery starts with planning long before the disaster even occurs.

Before Hurricane Michael hit Panama City in 2018, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc., thought they were thoroughly prepared for the storm and recovery. “We have a really extensive hurricane preparedness plan across all of our coastal locations,” explains Gianetta Jones, Vice President & Chief People Officer. But the Category 5 storm caused severe damage to cell phone infrastructure that the Coca-Cola team was not ready for. Gianetta told us on The Employee Safety Podcast , “We had to pivot and purchased several very expensive satellite phones for our operators that were local to be able to communicate with us at the corporate office.”

Flexibility is necessary in disaster recovery, as disasters hardly follow a predictable plan. But the right preparation can make it possible to adapt and maximize your time and resources through recovery. A comprehensive disaster recovery plan is not just a “good-to-have” safety net; it serves as a roadmap for resuming operations efficiently and effectively, minimizing the impact on your business and clients. And a great way to get started on your disaster recovery planning process (or to review and reassess your standing plan) is with a disaster recovery plan checklist.

Whether you’re facing natural calamities, cyberattacks, or technological failures, this checklist will guide you through establishing robust protocols to protect your assets, data, and your operational continuity.

Download Our Business Continuity Checklist

1. Assess the risks and impacts

Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential disasters and emergencies and look for vulnerabilities. Then, perform a detailed business impact analysis to understand the potential impact of disasters on your business operations. These assessments will help you determine what disasters you must prepare for and what recovery might be necessary.

2. Coordinate with departments and identify stakeholders

Engage all internal departments to gather input and ensure comprehensive coverage. In particular, you’ll want to work with teams involved in emergency preparedness, IT, business continuity, security, and any other function that may be impacted by the event. Additionally, determine any stakeholders, internal and external, crucial to the recovery processes.

3. Review past emergencies

Analyze any previous incidents your organization has been through to learn from past emergencies and refine your current planning efforts. You can also look at organizations similar in size and industry to understand how they have experienced disasters.

4. Assemble the leadership team

The disaster recovery team members will be dedicated to managing the disaster recovery process, though not necessarily executing the entire disaster recovery plan themselves. They will serve as important leaders and decision-makers throughout the process.

5. Document systems and processes

Thoroughly record all critical business systems and processes. This might include software applications, physical items in your facility, digital systems, on-site and off-site resources, or processes vital to your operations. If it is something that a disaster might impact, it should be considered in this step.

Once you have your list, do the following for each item:

For example, when building an IT disaster recovery plan, you’ll want to document all your IT systems, identify the most critical pieces of IT infrastructure, and arrange for data backups, secondary data centers, and other data protection for any critical data that may be impacted.

6. Analyze your recovery needs

Perform a detailed recovery analysis for each type of disaster that could impact the business. Include the following steps in this analysis:

7. Set up your recovery plan templates

If you are using a disaster recovery plan template, you’ll want to make copies of the template pages to fill out. You want a tailored recovery plan for each type of disaster, so multiple versions of the template are a must.

8. Assign personnel

Identify and document all personnel who will be involved in each recovery and response plan. Write down their roles and responsibilities within the recovery efforts and contact information.

9. Establish the activation criteria

Set clear criteria for when to activate the disaster recovery plan. Clarify the turning point between disaster response procedures and disaster recovery, so you don’t hesitate in the event of a disaster.

10. Write the recovery plan

The previous disaster recovery checklist stages prepare you to document your plan. Detail the specific steps and strategies to recover from each disaster you may face.

11. List resources and related documents

Document all the resources required for the recovery plan and their locations. Include links or references to any related plans and supportive documentation. This might include your business continuity plan , risk assessments from earlier in the process, or documentation for a specific recovery strategy.

12. Develop a communication plan

Communication is critical to recovery, so ensure your plan includes a clear process for reaching your employees, stakeholders, and external resources. Design a comprehensive emergency communication plan detailing:

13. Evaluate your response

Don’t make the mistake of building out your disaster recovery plan and assuming it can stay the same year after year. Not only are the disaster scenarios you face likely to change, but your organization will also grow and change; what worked for recovery at one point won’t necessarily work weeks, months, or years later. Regularly test, evaluate, and update the disaster recovery plan to ensure it still meets your business needs over time.

Planning for Resilience Through Operational Failback

With the right plan in place, recovery doesn’t have to feel like a disaster in and of itself. Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan with this checklist to keep your whole team on the same page and align their efforts.

Unlike an IT system failback, to recover your business operations, you often need to build them back up one by one. Following all 13 steps, you can ensure you don’t miss a critical system in your DR plan, and you minimize the effort it takes to quickly and confidently return to normal operations.

More Articles You May Be Interested In

Business Continuity Checklist

Please complete the form below to receive this resource.

Check Your Inbox!

The document you requested has been sent to your provided email address.

Cookies are required to play this video.

Click the blue shield icon on the bottom left of your screen to edit your cookie preferences.

Based on Zip Code Change

• Shop the Red Cross Store

Disaster Preparedness Plan

• Share via Email
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on LinkedIn

Make a Plan

DO NOT DELETE THE "EMPTY" SECTION CONTROL BELOW THIS. IT CONTAINS THE GHOST OF CLARA BARTON. 

Create Your Emergency Plan in Just 3 Steps

With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.

Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.

Practice as many elements of your plan as possible.

Document Your Plan with Our Free Templates

Family Disaster Plan Template - English

Template Tips - English

Family Disaster Plan Template - Spanish

Template Tips - Spanish

Include Common Emergency Scenarios When You Plan

Plan for the emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live.

• Be familiar with natural disaster risks in your community.
• Consider how you will respond to emergencies that can happen anywhere, such as home fires and floods.
• Consider how you will respond to emergencies that are unique to your region, such as volcanoes, tsunamis or tornadoes.
• Think about emergencies that may require your family to shelter in place (such as a winter storm), vs. emergencies that may require evacuation (such as a hurricane).
• Consult our  emergency resource library  for tips on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from specific disasters.

Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency

• Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
• Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should carry emergency contact information in writing and saved on their cell phones. Make sure places where your children spend time also have these contact numbers, like at school or daycare.
• How will you need to adapt your plan if they are at home?
• What will you need to do differently if they are away?

Emergency Contact Card

Make cards for the whole family in case you are separated during an emergency.

Download Template >>

Plan what to do if you have to evacuate

• A hotel/motel
• The home of friends or relatives a safe distance away
• An evacuation shelter
• Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Grab your emergency kit, just like you will in a real emergency, then drive your planned evacuation route. Plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable. Make sure you have locations and maps saved on devices such as cell phones and GPS units and on paper.
• Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes. Remember, if it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for your pets either.

Plan for everyone in your home

Some members of your household may need special accommodation during an emergency, which means planning ahead is even more crucial.

• Older Adults
• People with Disabilities

Plan to let loved ones know you’re safe

Read our tips  tips for reconnecting with loved ones  if you are separated during a disaster or emergency and decide which techniques your family will use.

Find our Emergency App in the  Apple Store » or  Google Play »

Aplicación de Emergencias - ahora disponible en  español » también!

More Preparedness Resources

Be Red Cross Ready

Build a Survival Kit

Be Informed

Get Trained in First Aid and CPR

Help people affected by disasters big and small.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Non-Emergency Medical Transportation business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Non-Emergency Medical Transportation companies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Non-Emergency Medical Transportation business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Wheeler Medical Transport was formed one year ago to help patients travel to their non-emergency medical appointments. Many people with chronic or serious conditions do not have access to transportation or are unable to drive a car on their own. This makes it extremely difficult for them to go to doctor’s appointments or other important procedures. Our mission is to provide affordable transportation services so that everyone can easily access the medical care they need.

Our company provides transportation services for a variety of situations such as doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, mental health appointments, physical therapy appointments, and more. We serve patients that cannot travel to these appointments on their own, such as patients with cognitive impairments or patients who are elderly. We also help anyone who simply doesn’t have accessible transportation or who doesn’t feel comfortable driving in their condition. We also allow our clients to bring their caregivers or a friend or family member to accompany them.

Wheeler Medical Transport is founded and run by John Wheeler. John has worked in the medical industry for ten years as an administrative employee. Throughout his career, he noticed that many patients did not have transportation to attend all their required medical appointments. This inspired him to create a company that can help patients with this issue. His mission is to create a transportation company who’s focus in every aspect of the business is on personal attention and empathy.

Product Offering

Wheeler Medical Transport offers non-emergency medical transportation services in two ways. First, we arrange travel for “single transport” clients. These clients only need our service once, such as going home after a hospital visit or needing round-trip transport for an important procedure or operation. These arrangements can be easily made via our website or through a phone call to our customer service line.

The second type of non-emergency medical transportation offered by Wheeler Medical Transport is a “Client Care Package.” This includes a set number of transport services in packages of 5,10, or 20 round-trips. Clients opt for these packages when they regularly utilize our services. For example, a client who needs to visit a physical therapist on a bi-weekly basis would want to purchase a Client Care Package of 10 round-trips to facilitate a month of regular service. Because our Client Care Packages are discounted and bundled for our clients, costs overall are lower. Our services are set at a lower cost than all of our competitors when our Client Care Packages are used. Arrangements for a Client Care Package can be made via website or by phone call.

Customer Focus

Wheeler Medical Transport serves clients within a 20 mile radius of San Antonio, Texas. We primarily serve patients who need either one time or regular transportation to non-emergency medical appointments. Like any city, San Antonio has a large population, with many residents living with chronic health conditions. Not everyone has easy access to a vehicle or public transportation. Therefore, we will market our services to patients and their caregivers so we can help them get to their appointments.

Management Team

Wheeler Medical Transport has recently been formed as a S-corporation by John Wheeler. John worked on the administrative team of a local hospital and saw that many patients struggled to get to their appointments because they did not have transportation. John decided to start a business that can help patients without good transportation get to their appointments on time. He is joined by several other medical and non-medical professionals who are passionate about achieving this same goal.

In addition to his experience in the medical industry, John has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a Master’s degree in Hospital Administration.

Success Factors

Wheeler Medical Transport will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Patient-oriented service: Wheeler Medical Transport will have a staff that prioritizes the needs of the patients and focuses on building long-term relationships based on support and empathy.
• Management: John Wheeler has a genuine passion to help the community. Because of his previous experience and reputation in the medical community, he has the knowledge, experience, and connections that will help the company succeed.
• Quality Care: Patients who utilize our transportation services will experience the highest quality care in the industry. From the moment they book an appointment, they will receive significant personal attention to ensure all of their transportation needs are met.
• Pricing: Wheeler Medical Transport’s pricing will be more affordable than its competition. Patients can expect quick and quality transportation for less than what other companies charge.

Financial Highlights

Wheeler Medical Transport is currently seeking $550,000 to launch broad initiatives of the company plan, employ additional personnel, and add service transport vans. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures, salaries, marketing expenses, and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Office design and build out: $100,000
• Service transport vans: $150,000 to purchase three new, fully-equipped non-emergency medical transportation vans
• Equipment, supplies, and inventory: $50,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $50,000
• Working capital: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Wheeler Medical Transport.

Company Overview

Who is wheeler medical transport, wheeler medical transport’s history.

Wheeler Medical Transport has recently been formed as an S-corporation. Since incorporation, the Company has achieved the following milestones:

• Found an office location and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Determined equipment and inventory requirements
• Began recruiting key employees with experience in the restaurant industry

Wheeler Medical Transport’s Services

Industry analysis.

The non-emergency medical transportation industry has enjoyed strong growth during the past five years. The primary reasons for growth include an aging population that is increasing with “baby boomer” seniors who often require such care, and the recent pandemic, which drove, and continues to drive, non-emergency medical transportation services to the breaking point of capacity.

According to Global Newswire, the current non-emergency medical transportation market was valued at $8,658 million in 2021 and is expected to grow to $15,580 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 9%. These figures suggest the two factors for growth discussed in this analysis will continue: an aging population that is increasing in size, and variants of the pandemic that will continue for several years.

The non-emergency medical transportation sector continues to evolve with innovations within the transport industry and new configurations of service vans to accommodate the needs of clients. These improvements drive more passengers to engage the services of non-emergency medical transportation companies, as the comfort and needs of clients increase.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Wheeler Medical Transport currently serves clients within a 20-mile radius of San Antonio, Texas. While the majority of clients live within a 20-minute drive to medical services in the city, many clients live in rural areas that require lengthy transportation schedules and complex driving directions. The drivers within Wheeler Medical Transport are provided with a 3-week orientation in client-service relationships prior to driving, which helps facilitate an understanding of the needs of our clients.

Regardless of the transportation process itself, the demographics of clients are fairly defined as: elderly patients, patients with non-emergency medical or cognitive needs, non-drivers, and patients who are uncomfortable driving on their own.

The demographics of San Antonio are as follows:

Customer Segmentation

Wheeler Medical Transport will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Patients with chronic conditions
• Residents 55+

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Wheeler Medical Transport will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Transport & Care Services

This company offers non-emergency medical transportation within the same 20-mile radius as Wheeler Medical Transport. Rural pick up and return trips are offered, albeit with limited daytime service only. Clients are quoted a single round-trip transportation fee, whether the trip is one-way or round-trip. Discount packages are not offered.

Care4You Transportation

Care4You Transportation has the singular focus of hospital pick-up or return service. As such, focused advertising is directed to hospital patients or other in-patient/out-patient customer segments. Rural customer service is not offered, although stretcher/gurney services to in-city destinations are available. Packages are not offered for customers who require regular service or return trips to the hospital.

LimoMedical

LimoMedical is a luxurious limousine service that offers non-emergency medical transportation within the same 20-mile radius as Wheeler Medical Transport. While the same geographics apply to both companies, the services offered are different: LimoMedical does not offer any seating for wheelchair-bound or lie-down capabilities for stretcher-bound clients, as does Wheeler Medical Transport. The company offers packages for multiple party trips or uses; including bachelor party bus usage and other event-related travel packages.

Competitive Advantage

Wheeler Medical Transport will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Wheeler Medical Transport will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• The focused attention on all members of the client’s team: support personnel, family members, administrative staff and transport team members.
• A dual-option system of offerings: one-time service or packaged services for regular users.
• Commitment to care and service before, during and after transport services.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Wheeler Medical Transport is as follows:

Social Media

Although many elderly clients forego any social media contact, the families of primary clients check social media frequently. The Marketing Manager will frequently post videos, comments, pictures and other encouraging notes.

The current website of Wheeler Medical Transport contains transport information, pricing structures and directions to order transport. Additional elements will include transporting clients on stretchers, transporting those with cognitive decline, and other special needs. Videos of special services will be offered to reassure those clients who are initially uncomfortable or concerned about movement and transfer points.

Partnerships with Local Businesses

Primary clients will be located through the personnel at medical offices, hospitals, and through social workers within the 20-mile radius of the company. Partnering with each to provide non-emergency medical transportation will require special promotions and regular contact with each entity.

Wheeler Medical Transport will promote services via a strong brand message on billboards positioned directly across from local hospitals served by our company. Simple, clear messages will be extended to the hospital population as a result.

The pricing strategy for Wheeler Medical Transport contains two methods to serve clients:

• “Single trip” (one-way or round-trip) pricing is offered for one-time customers.
• “Customer Care Packages” are offered to primary clients who are or expect to use regular services of Wheeler Medical Transport. Trips are bundled to create discounts for primary clients and a steady stream-of-revenue for Wheeler Medical Transport.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Wheeler Medical Transport.

Operation Functions:

• John Wheeler will act as the Founder and CEO of Wheeler Medical Transport. He will oversee the general operations and executive aspects of the business. John has spent the past year hiring the following personnel:
• John is joined by Sara Lopez, who will be the Marketing Manager for the company. She will be in charge of all of the company’s marketing and advertising efforts.
• John is also joined by his son George Wheeler who will be the first driver for the company. He has previously driven for Uber and Lyft, and has considerable experience driving clients to medical appointments.
• John will hire an Administrative Assistant to help with the general administrative duties.
• John will also hire several customer service personnel and drivers to book appointments, provide customer service, and drive patients to their appointments.

Milestones:

Wheeler Medical Transport will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

• 02/202X Finalize lease agreement
• 03/202X Design and build out Wheeler Medical Transport
• 04/202X Hire and train initial staff
• 05/202X Kickoff of promotional campaign
• 06/202X Launch Wheeler Medical Transport
• 07/202X Reach break-even

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The key revenues for Wheeler Medical Transport will come from the fees charged for our transportation services.

The key cost drivers will include van purchases and maintenance expenses, salaries, the lease, and ongoing marketing costs.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Annual lease: $100,000
• Average annual van maintenance fees: $20,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, non-emergency medical transportation business plan faqs, what is a non-emergency medical transportation business plan.

A non-emergency medical transportation business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your non-emergency medical transportation business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Non-emergency Medical Transportation business plan using our Non-emergency Medical Transportation Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Non-emergency Medical Transportation Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of non-emergency medical transportation businesses , some examples include: Wheelchair transport, Basic life support, Advanced life support, and Bariatric Transport.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Non-emergency Medical Transportation Business Plan?

Non-emergency Medical Transportation businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Non-emergency Medical Transportation Business?

Starting a non-emergency medical transportation business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Non-emergency Medical Transportation Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed non-emergency medical transportation business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your non-emergency medical transportation business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your non-emergency medical transportation business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Non-emergency Medical Transportation Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your non-emergency medical transportation business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your non-emergency medical transportation business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Non-emergency Medical Transportation Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your non-emergency medical transportation business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your non-emergency medical transportation business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Emergency Management & Climate Readiness Blog

Make your Emergency Ready Plan

Knowing what to do, where to go and who to contact will reduce stress and help keep you focused and safe during a disaster.

We’ve made it easier than ever to complete a home emergency plan – just follow the prompts! You can choose to save your plan as a PDF to your computer, tablet or device, or print it out.

Alternatively, you can download and print off a fill-in-the blanks PDF template instead.

Review and update your plan yearly, or if there is a change in your situation, such as a different job or school, getting a pet or moving to a new town.

We also suggest keeping a copy in your home emergency kit and grab-and-go bag(s) .

Translated emergency plans are available in PDF format:  Français (French) ,  简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) ,  繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) ,  ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) , Tagalog

No fields in this form are mandatory. Any information provided is not saved, stored or shared by any government agency.