This article was originally printed in the Mar/Apr 2026 issue of the California Veterinarian magazine.

California veterinary practices operate amid an unusually wide range of natural and human caused hazards—including earthquakes, wildfires, floods, chemical exposures, and civil threats—while also managing clinical risks inherent to animal care. A strong Emergency Action Plan (EAP) that integrates Cal/OSHA requirements with veterinary specific best practices protects staff, clients, and patients while ensuring business continuity when disruption strikes. This article provides a comprehensive, California-specific framework you can use to strengthen your emergency preparedness and response systems.

Regulatory Foundation for Emergency Preparedness

California veterinary practices are required to maintain several Cal/OSHA programs that serve as the backbone of emergency planning.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

All employers must maintain an EAP detailing evacuation routes, reporting procedures, alarm systems, employee accounting, and designated response roles. Written plans are required for practices with more than 10 employees but are recommended for all practices.

Fire Prevention Plan (FPP)

An FPP identifies ignition sources, housekeeping expectations, oxygen and flammables storage, equipment maintenance, and related training requirements.

Hazard Communication Program (HazCom)

Clinics must maintain a chemical inventory, ensure proper labeling, provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and train employees on safe handling and spill response for disinfectants, lab chemicals, pharmaceuticals, anesthetic gases, and more.

HAZWOPER Considerations

Minor, incidental spills can often be addressed internally. Any spill involving a significant release, respiratory hazard, fire or explosion potential, or uncontrolled reaction requires external emergency response and escalation to HAZWOPER level procedures.

Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP)

California’s workplace violence law requires most veterinary practices to maintain a written WVPP outlining hazard assessments, reporting methods, response procedures, training, and a violent incident log—essential for civil threat scenarios.

Illness and Injury Prevention Program (IIPP)

The IIPP acts as the umbrella safety program that integrates the EAP, FPP, WVPP, and HazCom into one unified system.

Hazard Specific Planning for Veterinary Operations

Earthquake Preparedness
Before: Secure shelving, kennels, oxygen cylinders, and medical equipment; train staff on “Drop, Cover, Hold On”; maintain off site or cloud based medical record backups; identify alternate care locations.
During: Staff should immediately “Drop, Cover, Hold On.” Anesthesia personnel should secure systems (only if safe).
After: Account for all persons and animals, triage patients, inspect for structural or utility damage, and prepare for aftershocks.

During: Initiate RACE—Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate/Extinguish. Prioritize human safety; move animals only when conditions allow.
After: Account for staff and animals, initiate relocation if needed, and protect medical and business records.

Flood Preparedness

Before: Identify flood risk areas, elevate critical equipment and pharmaceuticals, waterproof essential items, and plan for animal transport.
During: Avoid entering standing water, shut off power if safe, and relocate early—before water enters occupied spaces.
After: Reenter only after structural evaluation; dispose of contaminated materials and document all damage.

Chemical Spill Preparedness

Before: Maintain an effective HazCom program, train staff on exposure controls and spill decision making, and conduct regular anesthetic gas leak testing.
During: For incidental spills, isolate, ventilate, and clean according to SDS guidance. For significant releases, evacuate and call emergency responders.
After: Decontaminate, document, and implement corrective actions.

Civil Threat and Workplace Violence

Before: Develop a WVPP, improve building controls (e.g., secured entry, panic buttons), train staff in de escalation and safe escape, and establish two-person closing protocols.
During: Activate lockout, evacuation, or shelter in place measures; notify law enforcement; communicate discreetly using pre-planned signals.
After: Provide support to staff, document the incident, and review improvement opportunities.

Veterinary Specific Best Practices

• Maintain species specific evacuation kits, carriers, leashes, and identification tools.
• Protect medical record continuity through secure cloud backups.
  Include needlestick prevention procedures—especially important during emergency movements.
• Implement lone worker check in protocols for after hours or field staff.
• Ensure generators can support anesthesia machines, oxygen concentrators, critical lighting, and refrigeration.

Core Elements Your EAP Should Include:

Emergency reporting steps, evacuation and animal movement routes, employee/client accounting procedures, designated roles, alarm systems, hazard specific annexes, business continuity processes, emergency contacts, and training/drill documentation.

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