Crisis Communication Plan Template

Implement a Plan that Matches Response Modules to Scenarios

This is the core plan that links each of the planning scenarios to the response modules and will be activated immediately. For example, a "shooter on site" event triggers an immediate facility lockdown plus a police response plus pre-set communication protocols to convene the Crisis-Response Team and warn the staff.

Introduction

Businesses may be affected at any time by crises that threaten the safety of staff, the continuity of operations and confidence in reputation. Staff must be ready to respond effectively and rapidly to such situations, as action taken in the early stages of a crisis will be crucial to achieving a successful outcome.

This plan contains a framework for the management and resolution of serious incidents that may affect business operations. It places control in the hands of a small team of key staff who are responsible for initiating a rapid and coordinated response.

Threats ( Crisis Type)

Business must be prepared to deal with the following

• Natural
• Technological.
• Confrontation.
• Malevolence.
• Organisational Misdeeds.

• • Skewed Management Values.
  • Deception.
  • Management Misconduct
• Workplace Violence.
• Rumours.
• Lack of Fund.
• Due to Natural Factors

Crisis Communication Objectives

The key objectives in managing a crisis are to:

• Ensure the health, safety and welfare of staff and customers.
• Control the immediate situation and continue business operations with minimum disruption.
• Restore the business to normality as quickly as possible.
• Minimise loss or damage and maintain business confidence.
• Maintain effective communications internally and with customers, the media, and regulatory bodies

Response to Emergencies

When an emergency has severe implications for the entire business (see Crisis Types), the Incident Management (IM) Team Leader One will advise the IM Team Leader Two (alternatively IM Team Leader Three) to activate the ABC COMPANY LIMITED's Crisis Communication Plan.

Crisis Communication Team

Once the Crisis Communication Plan is activated, the Crisis Communication Team will meet to decide what are the actions needed to protect the wider interests of the business and the best way to support the individual Crisis Communication Team Leaders dealing with the incident.

Core Crisis Communication Team Members

• Chief Executive Officer.
• Chief Operations Officer.
• Chief Financial Officer.
• Other directors as appropriate.
• Chief Legal Counsel /Company Secretary.
• A Coordinator/Administrative assistant

Co-Opted Crisis Communication Team Members

This will depend on the type of emergency and may include, as required:

•  Head of Human Resources.
• Head of Audit.
• Head of Information Technology.
• Head of Business, as appropriate

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities of the Crisis Communication Team include:

• Confirm the composition of the ABC COMPANY LIMITED Incident Management Team dealing with the event.
• Define responsibilities and authorities for managers within this team and across the organisation, and to supervise their activities.
• Establish financial authorities including delegated powers and levels.
• Establish procedures for communicating with government and regulatory bodies.
• Refer major issues to the Chairman or full Board as necessary for a decision.

Reference

Goh, M. H. (2015). A Manager's Guide to Implementing Your IT Crisis Communication Plan. Business Continuity Management Specialist Series. Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.

Extracted from "Appendix 6: Crisis Communication plan: Template"

More Information About Crisis Communication Blended Learning

To know more about our blended learning program and when the next course is scheduled, feel free to contact our friendly course consultant colleagues via sales.ap@bcm-institute.org.  They are the BL-CC-3 Blended Learning CC-300 Crisis Communication Implementer and the BL-CC-5 Blended Learning CC-5000 Crisis Communication Expert Implementer.