From 8.8 magnitude earthquakes to tornadoes, hurricanes to flash floods, the entire country has experienced some form of extreme weather in the last few years. We want to ensure that you have a plan for your practice to help you act fast when faced with a weather emergency. Here are some tips to help you plan for  weather emergency:

Create an Emergency Plan

While most emergencies are completely unexpected, there are some ways you can plan how you and your team handle them before they happen. Make sure everyone knows how to safely exit the hospital or take shelter in case of a weather emergency. If evacuating, this includes directing clients outside and having a plan to evacuate any animals that are present on the property. If sheltering in place, it involves deciding the safest parts of the hospital. Create a plan that answers the following questions:

• What happens if we need to evacuate?
• Where can we shelter in place if necessary?
• How do we communicate to the team how to handle an emergency?
• How do we get everyone (including animals) out safely?
• Can we take in animals in need if necessary? 
• What resources can we provide to the community to help?

Once you’ve created your plan, make sure it is posted clearly throughout the hospital so your team can easily reference it if they ever need it.

Create Some Marketing Assets

During emergencies, sharing information quickly is vital to successful outcomes. Creating a toolkit of marketing resources that you can quickly post on your website or social media platforms will help you do just that. These resources can provide emergency information for pet owners like how to evacuate with pets, where to search for lost pets, and how to keep pets safe during an emergency. Be sure your contact information is available clearly.

Don’t have assets? Download ours – FREE

Plan How to Contact Clients

On top of sharing information on your website and social media platforms, you can also use your practice information management system (PIM) to send out emails and texts to clients. Every time a client comes in for a visit, be sure to collect their updated contact information, including the best way to contact them in an emergency. This means you will have all the information you need in case of an emergency and can start reaching out to clients right away. 

Beyond Indigo Pets is here to help you use your marketing for all your needs. From planning for emergencies to reaching new pet owners in your area, we know what it takes to make marketing work for you. Contact us today to learn more.