About this workshop
Disaster Preparedness is the third session of our 6-Part Series, Ready For Anything, designed to prepare small businesses in the New River Valley for unforeseen challenges, and to help you develop a plan to move forward once the dust settles.
Unexpected disruptions can put employees, customers, and business operations at risk, especially during severe weather events such as Hurricane Helene. This session will help business owners strengthen their disaster preparedness plans by developing clear emergency procedures, identifying critical safety protocols, and preparing staff to respond quickly when a crisis occurs.
You’ll learn how to
Develop emergency procedures for flooding, power outages, and building evacuations
Identify safe assembly locations and communication procedures for employees during an emergency
Prepare “Grab-and-Go” kits with essential supplies and business information
Evaluate site-specific risks and emergency response considerations for Southwest Virginia businesses
Create step-by-step response instructions that support employee safety and operational readiness
Who should attend
This workshop is designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the New River Valley who want to improve workplace safety, strengthen emergency preparedness procedures, and better prepare their teams for unexpected disruptions or disaster events.
What you’ll walk away with
Attendees will leave with practical emergency preparedness tools, draft response procedures, and clearer guidance for protecting employees and responding quickly during a disaster. Participants will also gain resources for building site-specific preparedness plans that support business continuity and safety.
Presented by
Business Advisors with the Roanoke Regional SBDC and New River Valley SBDC, along with guest facilitators/subject matter experts.
Location
Workshops are held in-person at CoWorks @The HUB, 801 East Main Street, Radford, VA 24142.
In-person attendance is recommended, but classes will also be broadcast virtually and a Zoom link will be provided prior to the session date.
Registration
There is no cost to attend this workshop, and registration is required. While you are not required to attend all six sessions in the Ready For Anything Series, attending the full series is highly recommended to create a comprehensive plan. The class material is specially designed to benefit the unique challenges of small businesses in the New River Valley region, however Virginia small businesses outside of this area are also welcome to attend.