Crisis Management Planning

A crisis management plan prepares you to recover and quickly return to operations in the event of an emergency or crisis. A complete plan identifies the critical resources and assets necessary to continue operations and prepares an organization to address the crisis, stabilize it, then to move quickly into the process of recovery. The plan should address communication with employees, clients, suppliers and the media, and identify a team to take charge during the crisis.

Creating a Crisis Management Plan 
USSC, Inc. conducts a thorough assessment of your infrastructure and interviews key personnel to determine the resources required to maintain operations. In addition, the assessment identifies assets that require duplication or redundant storage, such as employee and client records. The process also includes the identification of potential alternative work sites, communications, notification procedures, catering, accountability procedures, systems back-ups and emergency evacuation plans.

0. Determine the scope of the program based on interviews with the CEO/President and other senior management and operations personnel including those responsible for the safety and security of assets.
0. Review existing plans and conduct a series of security audits, site surveys and criticality assessments.
0. Contact and create a communications network for suppliers and vendors.
0. Select and develop an Emergency Reaction Team that reflects a cross section of the organization's operational units and establish a chain of command.
0. Dedicate a media relations contact and formulate a plan to address the media--an important and often neglected area of the crisis management plan. Established policies and procedures should quickly provide direction and clarify contacts and message.
0. Education and training are vital to testing the plan and making adjustments before a crisis. Training also familiarizes the employees with the procedures, communications and mechanics of recovering from a crisis.
0. Develop an emergency evacuation plan and educate employees on the procedures. The development of a proper plan would include surveys and assessments for each unit. Plans should include:

• Review of current fire and safety measures.
• Analysis of the current safety equipment and evacuation plans.
• Recommend additional procedures/equipment. Based on what currently is provided, additional apparatus may be recommended to bring the facility up to code or OSHA standards.

Deliverables
U.S. Security Care's experienced and knowledgeable operations personnel will develop a detailed, comprehensive Crisis Management plan that addresses the potential threats of various crises and disasters based on their evaluation and assessment. The plan outlines procedures for a quick transition to a secondary site (if necessary), the acquisition of key equipment/machinery, and the development of communications with a minimal disruption of services. USSC, Inc. works with clients to establish Emergency Response Teams and trains the team using tabletop exercise.

The Crisis Management plan includes a Bomb Threat Management program, which prepares organizations to respond to bomb threats in a measured and effective manner. In addition, the Crisis Management plan includes an evacuation plan, which is necessary in the face of any emergency or crisis.

Bomb Threat Management
U.S. Security Care's bomb threat management program begins with outlining your company's core objectives when dealing with a bomb threat. The training program agenda reflects those objectives and the unique aspects of your company and facility. The customized four- or eight-hour program provides the tools and knowledge to evaluate the threat, prevent panic and, ultimately, save lives.

Evacuation Plan
U.S. Security Care's Evacuation Plan provides comprehensive threat and risk assessments and evaluates current disaster management policies and evacuation procedures. Our experienced team of emergency-response professionals is specially trained in contingency planning, risk mitigation and evacuation procedures, ensuring the highest level of safety and security and ensuring that your facility meets OSHA standards.

• Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergencies.
• Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
• Evaluation of current safety and evacuation devices.
• Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant   operations before they evacuate.
• Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.
• Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties.
• Evacuation training and emergency action plan review.

0. Each EAP establishes a plan for employees within organizational work areas. For those areas with chemical laboratories, this plan should also require a component of the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
0. The security consultant should complete a review of the EAP annually.
0. In order to comply with OSHA regulations (reference '29CFR1910.38') on Emergency Action Plans, each organization must establish, document and/or be able to provide the following:

a)    Emergency escape procedures from the department/building work areas. Design and post informative diagrams directing personnel to the emergency exits.

 

b)    Emergency shutdown procedures for critical equipment. Personnel must be identified and thoroughly trained to complete the emergency shutdown.

 

c)    A means to account for all personnel at a specified safe assembly location after each drill and emergency.

 

d)    Identify, document, and train the designated personnel assigned medical and rescue duties.

 

e)    Designate, record and post the proper methods for reporting emergencies.

 

    (1)    Identify the proper protocol for coordinating the evacuation of multiple organizations from a single building.

 

    (2)    Identify the organizations Emergency Action Coordinator and an alternate to supervise emergency evacuations.

 

    (3)    Designate one individual (possibly the Building Monitor) and an alternate to coordinate reports verifying all personnel have been evacuated from the building.

 

    (4)    The names and job titles of the Emergency Action Coordinator responsible for the EAP and the building monitor, will be posted for public information.