--- title: "Kitchen Nightmares: Learn How to Prepare for a Foodservice Emergency (Clone)" description: Discover essential strategies for emergency preparedness for foodservice managers, owners, and operators. 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Chat with Basil [Submit a Support Request ](https://trust20.co/contact-us) Trust20 Support Business Hours Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST Go Back [Food Safety Management](https://trust20.co/test-blog/tag/food-safety-management) # Kitchen Nightmares: Learn How to Prepare for a Foodservice Emergency (Clone) Posted by August 10, 2023 [Trust20 Contributors](https://trust20.co/test-blog/author/trust20-contributors) • 6 minute read Share: [![Share on facebook](https://7620253.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7620253/Trust20/Images/Blog/facebook-color.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on twitter](https://trust20.co/hubfs/twitter-color.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7620253.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7620253/Trust20/Images/Blog/linkedin-color.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Foodservice Emergency Preparedness](https://trust20.co/hubfs/emergency-preparedness.jpg) ](https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0) You know it’s important to be prepared in the face of an emergency, but it’s easy to let that essential prep work go undone in the face of the relentless to-do list while running a food service business. We’re here to give you a step-by-step plan to help you and your team feel confident in the face of anything that comes your way (except for Godzilla; we do not have a plan for that).  In this article, we will give you some advice in the areas listed below–feel free to jump around to the sections you need the most.  [How to safeguard your establishment](https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0#safeguard)  [How to protect staff and customers](https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0#protect-staff) [How to ensure business continuity during a crisis](https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0#business-continuity)  [How to handle allergic reactions](https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0#allergic-reactions)  [What to do in the event of a shelter-in-place order](https://trust20.co/test-blog/prepare-for-foodservice-emergency-0#shelter-in-place) ## What is an emergency? Here’s what you should prepare for  [Trust20’s Food Manager Training and Certificate](https://trust20.co/food-manager) defines emergencies as imminent health hazards, including fire, flood, gas leak, extended interruption of water/electricity, foodborne illness outbreak, sewage backup/gross unsanitary occurrence, misuse of poisonous/toxic materials, and more.  Those are some of the first things that come to mind when you think about an emergency, but we want to make sure you and your team are also as prepared as possible for the more unusual situations that might come your way. ### How to safeguard your establishment  First and foremost, be sure you’ve taken care of key basics. You should have all staff properly trained in [food safety and handling](https://trust20.co/food-handler), and their training should be up to date. Have a system in place to ensure you don’t miss any important renewal dates.  You also want to be sure you’re following all relevant laws for your establishment, have the proper safety equipment located onsite, and regularly conduct inspections of and maintenance for all necessary kitchen and safety equipment.  Be sure to address the general requirements for your physical space. For example, is there plenty of room for customers and staff to exit your establishment in case of a fire? Could tables and chairs be better arranged to help the flow of foot traffic? Are any additional exits blocked because they’re being used for temporary storage? Don’t let that become a habit!  ### How to protect staff and customers  Have a plan, and practice your plan. Create an emergency preparedness plan that includes contact information for emergency response teams, evacuation routes, and guidelines for your team to follow during different types of emergencies. Be sure every team member knows where this is located so they can access it quickly in case it’s needed. For a physical guide that lives onsite, consider how you can make it more emergency-proof; can the materials it's made of be fireproof or at least fire-resistant? Same with water, in case of flooding or if the sprinklers in the building go off (you don’t want anyone trying to read a rapidly smearing phone number). Have a backup digital version that staff can easily access on their devices. Similarly, be sure there’s a map of the facility with exits and emergency equipment clearly labeled on it. Try to make it as fire-and-waterproof as possible with a digital backup available. Staff should also know how to operate that emergency equipment safely once it's located.  Emergency equipment is more than fire extinguishers; there should be a first-aid kit onsite that is fully stocked and regularly checked to ensure it’s fully stocked (i.e., replace the headache medicine and bandaids everyone has used). All staff should be trained on how to use its contents and who to contact in the event of an emergency. Ideally, every employee will also have basic first aid and CPR training.  The best way to help staff feel as confident as possible in the face of an emergency is to conduct regular drills, running through where emergency plans live, how to access and properly use safety equipment, and who’s responsible for regular reviews of plans and equipment. Consider a rotating roster of who’s “in charge” of drills so everyone on staff feels more comfortable with the necessary steps to take should the need ever arise.  ### How to ensure business continuity during a crisis  While there are no guarantees on how human behavior will play out during or after a crisis, being as prepared as possible and showing that in terms of the actions you and your team take will make customers feel safe and connected to your business.  If appropriate, update your website and any relevant social media or newsletters with necessary information about any emergencies that have happened onsite or in your area. Keep it simple and address what happened, how you dealt with it or are continuing to deal with it, and whether or not you are open or will open again soon. For example, suppose there’s flooding in the area, and your business is unaffected. In that case, local residents want to know they have an open place where they can get some food and possibly charge their devices to stay in touch with friends, family, and their insurance company.  ## Less common situations    Beyond a fire, gas leak, or basic first-aid situation that is usually covered in emergency plans and training, there are more unusual situations–like an allergic reaction or shelter-in-place order– you’ll want to prepare your team for.  ### How to handle allergic reactions  [Food allergy training](https://trust20.co/food-allergy) is the first step to preparing everyone; being able to avoid an allergic reaction in the first place is the best possible plan. [Train staff to handle all special food requests seriously](https://trust20.co/blog/what-should-i-say-to-restaurant-guests-with-food-allergies) and to use separate food preparation areas for those requests. As an establishment, be sure to provide ingredient lists or recipes for menu items so that customers with allergies can choose the best options for themselves with less stress. In the event that a customer does have an allergic reaction, an onsite manager should be prepared to handle the situation according to the [FDA Food Code](https://www.fda.gov/food/fda-food-code/food-code-2022). Staff should be able to recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction, be ready to call 911, and administer an EpiPen if necessary. Most importantly, never leave the person unattended.  ### What to do in the event of a shelter-in-place order  Serious emergencies–weather events like tornados or an active shooter–can result in a shelter-in-place order. If one is issued, staff should be prepared to “lock down” the establishment and find the most secure area to take shelter with any customers. Best practices suggest taking shelter away from windows in the strongest area of the building. Be sure your staff is trained to bring any necessary supplies into the secure area, such as phones, a first aid kit, and water. Consider keeping an emergency radio as part of your onsite equipment in case cell phone reception is disrupted. Follow [CDC guidelines](https://emergency.cdc.gov/shelterinplace.asp) and wait to leave the shelter until local authorities declare it safe.  ## Final thoughts  If you foster a culture of safety and collaboration among your staff, you’ll already have the foundation in place for smoother cooperation during an emergency. If you’ve already taken the [critical steps to maintain safe facilities](https://trust20.co/blog/maintaining-safe-facilities), your team will know that those in charge care about their well-being.  And if Trust20 can help your team feel more prepared with training, let us know!  --- Sources: 1. [12 Critical Steps To Maintaining Safe Foodservice Facilities](https://trust20.co/blog/maintaining-safe-facilities) 2. [Food Manager Program](https://trust20.co/food-manager) 3. [Food Handler Certificate Training](https://trust20.co/food-handler) 4. [Food Allergy Certificate](https://trust20.co/food-allergy) 5. [Memorize These Scripts to Help Safely Serve People with Food Allergies](https://trust20.co/blog/what-should-i-say-to-restaurant-guests-with-food-allergies) 6. [Restaurant Fire Protection Basics](https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2021/04/27/Restaurant-Fire-Protection-Basics) 7. [CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response: Stay Put - Learn How to Shelter in Place](https://emergency.cdc.gov/shelterinplace.asp) Recommended Articles [![How is Shigella Transmitted in Foodservice Settings?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/210.png) Food Safety June 17, 2026 How is Shigella Transmitted in Foodservice Settings? A Shigella outbreak generally doesn’t happen loudly, with a catastrophic contamination incident that can easily be traced. Instead, it starts covertly, without anyone realizing it. Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/shigella) [![Where Can I Find Practice Tests for Food Handler Assessments?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/209.png) Career Development June 12, 2026 Where Can I Find Practice Tests for Food Handler Assessments? Getting ready for your food safety training and assessment might feel a little nerve-wracking. You want to walk into the test feeling completely confident and ready to pass on your very first try, but you aren’t sure how to get the right level of preparation. Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/practice-tests-food-handler) [![What is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/206.png) Food Safety June 10, 2026 What is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)? Walk through any grocery store, and you’ll likely see all kinds of labels promising cleaner ingredients, fewer additives, and simpler foods. But behind many packaged products sits a regulatory category most consumers have never heard about: GRAS, short for “Generally Recognized as Safe.” Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/what-is-gras-generally-recognized-as-safe) [![How Many Hours Can Food Be Held Without Temperature Control?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/207.png) Food Safety June 1, 2026 How Many Hours Can Food Be Held Without Temperature Control? In a perfect world, every hot food stays hot, and every cold food stays cold, for exactly as long as you need it to. But in reality, service gets busy, equipment gets overloaded, and food doesn’t always stay within the ideal temperature ranges. Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/how-many-hours-can-food-be-held-without-temperature-control) ![footerwordmark](https://trust20.co/hs-fs/hubfs/footerwordmark.png?width=152&height=24&name=footerwordmark.png) ##### ©2026 Trust20 | All rights reserved. Trust20 is the registered trademark of Relish Works Inc. 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