BC Planning for Haze Scenario: Incident Response

BC Planning for Haze Scenario

 Incident Response and Recovery

The table of contents is a general outline for a business continuity plan specific to a haze scenario.

This section outlines the procedure for activating the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in response to a haze incident. This includes initiating the plan, activating the Emergency Response Team (ERT), and ensuring a timely and effective response to mitigate the impact on business operations.

Activation of Business Continuity Plan

1.1 Purpose

This section outlines the procedure for activating the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in response to a haze incident. This includes initiating the plan, activating the Emergency Response Team (ERT), and ensuring a timely and effective response to mitigate the impact on business operations.

Incident Assessment

2.1 Incident Identification

• Establish clear criteria or triggers for identifying a haze incident that requires the activation of the BCP. 
• This can include air quality index readings, visibility levels, or recommendations from local authorities or environmental agencies.

2.2 Incident Severity and Impact Assessment

• Evaluate the severity and potential impact of the haze incident on the organization's operations, employees, stakeholders, and critical assets. 
• Assess the risks, vulnerabilities, and dependencies that need to activation process.
  
  

BCP Activation

3.1 Emergency Response Team (ERT) Activation

• Designate individuals or teams responsible for activating the BCP and providing personal protective equipment (PPE), and authority levels. 
• Establish communication channels and protocols to ensure effective coordination and decision-making during activation.

3.2 Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

• Establish or designate a physical or virtual Emergency Operations Center to serve as the central command post for the ERT. 
• Ensure that the EOC is equipped with the necessary resources, communication tools, and access to critical information for effective incident response and decision-making.

3.3 BCP Communication

• Notify relevant stakeholders, including senior management, employees, and key external parties, about the activation of the BCP.
• Provide clear instructions on their roles, responsibilities, and communication channels during the incident.
  
  

Initial Response Actions

4.1 Situation Assessment

•  Gather information and conduct an initial assessment of the haze incident, including its impact on the organization's operations, employees, facilities, and critical assets. 
• Ensure timely and accurate information flow to the ERT to facilitate informed decision-making.

4.2 Employee Safety

• Prioritize the safety and well-being of employees. 
• Implement the necessary safety measures outlined in the BCP, such as evacuation procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) provision, or relocation to safer areas as required.

4.3 Incident Documentation

• Document the incident details, including the timeline of events, actions taken, decisions made, and communication exchanges. 
• This documentation will serve as a reference for post-incident evaluation and for future improvement of the BCP.
  
  

Response and Recovery Planning

5.1 Incident Response Plan

• Develop an incident-specific response plan within the BCP to address the unique challenges a haze scenario poses. 
• This plan should include specific actions, responsibilities, and timelines for managing and mitigating the impact of the haze incident.

5.2 Resource Allocation

• Assess resource requirements, such as personnel, equipment, facilities, or alternative supply chain options, to support the organization's response and recovery efforts.
• Allocate resources effectively to ensure their optimal utilization.

5.3 Business Continuity Strategies

• Identify and implement business continuity strategies to restore critical business functions and minimize the impact on operations.
• This may involve activating alternative work locations, establishing remote work capabilities, prioritizing essential services, or adapting processes to operate under haze conditions.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

6.1 Internal Communication

• Establish clear communication channels and protocols for disseminating timely and accurate information to employees.
• Keep them informed about the incident, response actions, safety measures, and any changes in work arrangements or schedules.

6.2 External Communication

• Develop a communication plan to engage and inform external stakeholders, such as clients, suppliers, regulatory authorities, and the media.
• Provide updates on the organization's response efforts, impact on services, and measures in place to ensure continuity and minimize disruptions.

6.3 Stakeholder Engagement

• Proactively engage with key stakeholders, addressing their concerns, providing guidance, and seeking cooperation and support during the haze incident.
• Establish mechanisms for stakeholders to provide feedback, seek clarification, or report critical issues.

Recovery and Resumption

7.1 Recovery Prioritization:

Prioritize the recovery of critical business functions based on their impact and urgency. Develop recovery plans and strategies to restore these functions within the defined recovery time objectives (RTOs).

7.2 Testing and Validation:

• Regularly test and validate the recovery plans and strategies to ensure their effectiveness and compatibility with the organization's systems, processes, and resources.
• Identify and address any gaps or weaknesses identified during these tests.

7.3 Post-Incident Evaluation

• Conduct a thorough evaluation of the incident response and recovery efforts once the haze scenario has stabilized.
• Assess the effectiveness of the BCP activation, response actions, and recovery strategies. Identify lessons learned, areas for improvement and update the BCP accordingly.

Note: The above procedure provides a general framework for activating the BCP in response to a haze incident. Customize it according to your organization's requirements, industry best practices, and regulatory obligations. Regularly review and update the BCP to reflect changes in the organization's operations, infrastructure, or the evolving nature of haze incidents.

Supplementary Blogs to Elaborate Haze-Specific Details

Refer to the table of content above,  Additional blogs highlighted in green are created to elaborate on the selected section. Click the icon below to access the additional readings for the specific section.

Learn more about BCM-5000 [B-5] and BCM-300 [B-3]