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An Emergency Preparedness Plan maps out how an organization will respond to and recover from disasters or major disruptions. In New Zealand, these plans align with Civil Defence Emergency Management Act requirements and help businesses protect their staff, assets, and operations during events like earthquakes, floods, or other crises.

The plan includes clear response procedures, key contact details, evacuation routes, and specific roles for emergency teams. It must cover WorkSafe NZ's health and safety obligations and detail how essential services will continue during emergencies. Regular testing and updates keep the plan current and ensure everyone knows their responsibilities when emergencies strike.

Your Emergency Preparedness Plan becomes essential during any event that threatens normal business operations. This includes natural disasters like earthquakes or floods, infrastructure failures, health emergencies, or security incidents. The plan guides immediate response actions when staff need clear direction under pressure.

Organizations activate their plans during practice drills, which NZ law requires at least twice yearly. The plan also comes into play when updating risk assessments, training new emergency wardens, or responding to WorkSafe NZ audits. Having it ready before a crisis means teams can focus on executing well-practiced procedures rather than figuring out what to do mid-emergency.

• Basic Site Plans: Cover essential evacuation routes, assembly points, and emergency equipment locations for small businesses and offices
• Comprehensive Business Plans: Include detailed business continuity procedures, supply chain alternatives, and staff welfare provisions
• Industry-Specific Plans: Tailored for high-risk sectors like manufacturing or healthcare, with specialized hazard responses
• Multi-Site Plans: Coordinate emergency responses across multiple locations with site-specific appendices
• Community Response Plans: Developed by organizations that provide essential services, focusing on maintaining critical operations during civil defence emergencies

• Business Owners: Legally responsible for implementing and maintaining Emergency Preparedness Plans under NZ health and safety laws
• Health & Safety Managers: Draft and update plans, coordinate drills, and ensure compliance with WorkSafe NZ requirements
• Emergency Wardens: Lead emergency responses and evacuations, maintain emergency equipment, and train staff on procedures
• Staff Members: Follow plan procedures, participate in drills, and report hazards or concerns
• Civil Defence Officials: Review plans for essential service providers and coordinate responses during regional emergencies

• Site Assessment: Map your facility layout, identify hazards, emergency exits, and assembly points
• Contact Directory: Compile emergency services numbers, key staff contacts, and backup communication channels
• Risk Analysis: Document potential emergencies specific to your location and industry
• Resource Inventory: List available emergency equipment, first aid supplies, and backup power sources
• Response Procedures: Detail step-by-step actions for different emergency scenarios
• Recovery Planning: Outline business continuity steps and essential service restoration priorities

• Risk Assessment: Detailed analysis of potential hazards and their likelihood under Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
• Emergency Procedures: Clear, step-by-step response protocols for each identified risk scenario
• Contact Information: Emergency services numbers, key staff contacts, and notification chains
• Evacuation Plans: Building layouts, assembly points, and access routes meeting Fire and Emergency NZ requirements
• Staff Responsibilities: Defined roles and duties for emergency response teams
• Review Schedule: Documented testing and update procedures as required by WorkSafe NZ

While both documents focus on organizational resilience, an Emergency Preparedness Plan differs significantly from a Business Continuity Plan. The key distinctions lie in their timing, scope, and primary objectives.

• Immediate vs. Long-term Focus: Emergency Preparedness Plans deal with immediate crisis response and life safety during an emergency event. Business Continuity Plans address longer-term operational recovery and maintaining essential functions
• Legal Requirements: Emergency plans must comply with WorkSafe NZ and Civil Defence requirements for immediate safety responses. Continuity plans focus more on commercial obligations and stakeholder responsibilities
• Implementation Timing: Emergency plans activate instantly during a crisis, with clear action steps. Continuity plans typically kick in after the immediate danger has passed
• Resource Allocation: Emergency plans prioritize life safety equipment and evacuation procedures. Continuity plans focus on business assets, data protection, and operational resources