LIFELINE
This page includes information about bushfires. If you find this upsetting and need support, contact LIFELINE at 13 11 14. In an emergency, always call 000 for medical help.
Preparation and recovery from bushfires and disasters for businesses
Information to help businesses prepare for bushfires and other emergencies. While it focuses on bushfires, it also covers natural disasters like storms and floods, providing the knowledge to stay safe and be prepared.
Preparation
If you live in a high-risk bushfire area like the Adelaide Hills, being prepared for an emergency is crucial. Being ready helps you make smart decisions when faced with danger. Every step you take to prepare can keep you and your employees safe.
Prepare an emergency plan
An emergency plan is crucial for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your staff, customers, and business. It provides a clear, structured approach to managing emergencies, ensuring a quick and efficient response. This not only helps protect people and property but also strengthens the long-term resilience of your business, allowing it to recover and maintain operations even in challenging times.
Prepare by knowing bushfire safer places
Ensure you and your employees know a safer place to go if there is a bushfire.
Prepare with mental readiness
Being mentally prepared is an important step in preparing your business for a disaster.
Research shows that people are more likely to follow a plan if they are mentally prepared for a natural disaster. Managing emotions during an emergency can save lives. Supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace helps build staff resilience, improve decision-making, and support faster recovery.
Prepare by building resilient business connections
Strong community connections make businesses more resilient to disasters.
Building relationships with local businesses and authorities now will help if disaster strikes.
In the Adelaide Hills, you can join various business associations and networks. These groups expand your business circle and offer support. Find the ones that best fit your business needs.
Recovery
Recovering from a disaster can take days, weeks, or months. The faster your business resumes normal operations, the fewer losses the business will suffer.
Recovery involves restoring all aspects of your business, including employees, workspaces, and equipment. Good preparation leads to quicker recovery times.
We've compiled helpful resources for you, your employees, and your business. For detailed information, visit the listed websites.
Recovery support
SA Government
Emergency management in South Australia (prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery) is a shared responsibility among state and local governments, businesses, NGOs, and communities. If a recovery event is too complex for local capacity, the State Government coordinates efforts with Community Recovery Coordinators.
Federal Government
Business.gov.au is a Federal Government online hub for information and support for Australian businesses after a disaster, including grant programs and preparation tools.
Regional
Regional Development Australia (RDA) supports regional development through local RDA committees. The RDA Board for Hills, Fleurieu, and Kangaroo Island provides support and information for local businesses.
Rural Business Support
Rural Business Support offers Business Financial Counsellors to help small and family businesses in financial hardship.
Adelaide Hills Business Centre
The Adelaide Hills Business Centre supports economic recovery in the Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker, Mid-Murray, and Murray Bridge areas. The Recovery Officer is based at the Adelaide Hills Business Centre in Woodside.
Recovery resources
Grants
GrantGuru is a database of grants in Australia. The data is up-to-date and it's free to search. There are additional services you can buy if needed.
SA Business Chamber
Business SA, South Australia's Chamber of Commerce and employer body, offers services, advice, and training to help businesses. They provided support after the Black Summer fires. Check their website for current support details.
Business Council of Australia
BizRebuild, an initiative by the Business Council of Australia, offers practical assistance to small and local businesses affected by bushfires.
Legal Support
The Disaster Legal Support Program (DLSP) by Community Justice Services SA provides free legal help and education to disaster-affected communities. During disasters, they offer on-the-ground legal assistance and referrals, continuing with legal advice and education during recovery, especially for insurance claims and disputes.
These useful tips have been gathered from experts online to protect you, your family, your home, and your pets. We acknowledge the time, skill and research these organisations have invested.
Related pages
Critical Information
Fire danger seasons, fire ratings, and emergency alerts and contacts for bushfires, storms, floods, and heatwaves. Stay informed and prepared with these essential resources.
Burning and Fire Guidelines
Burning in the Adelaide Hills presents a raft of dangers and as such, is highly regulated and should only be carried out as a last resort and where permitted by Council.