About Outsmart Disaster

Many of California 4.2 million small businesses are extremely vulnerable to even short business interruptions. A disaster like COVID-19 or a wildfire can spell catastrophe. There is no way to foresee every such event, but business-owners can mitigate their risk by evaluating and documenting the resiliency of their business. Our office is there to help support that effort. Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

Outsmart Disaster is a statewide awareness campaign focused on providing California businesses with the resources they need to adequately prepare for and recover from all types of disasters and business interruptions.

Objectives

• To help business-owners plan ahead and be proactive about reducing disaster risks
• To improve communication about disaster hazard science for use in decision-making processes
• To build community capacity to respond to and recover from disasters

Who’s Behind Outsmart Disaster?

Outsmart Disaster is an initiative of CalOSBA supported by Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance funds provided by the U.S. Economic Development Agency.

The Outsmart Disaster concept was originally conceived in 2018 as a state-led tool to help businesses and communities prepare for the next big earthquake. With the support of funders such as JP Morgan Chase Foundation and Edison International, and under the leadership of California’s Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the program evolved to help Californians prepare for all types of disasters. Now, with the support of approximately $782,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding provided by U.S. Economic Development Agency and under the leadership of CalOSBA, Outsmart Disaster will further its work to help prepare Californians for the unexpected.  

Social Media Toolkit

• Outsmart Disaster Public Service Announcement
• Outsmart Disaster Graphic
• Resilient Business Challenge Badge
• Resilient Business Challenge Graphic
• State of California Campaign Graphic