Part 2: Crisis Scenario Respond Lists
The following section contains information on how to craft action points or respond for crisis scenarios or situations.
These are not exhaustive, do not include every possible scenario encountered by every type of organisation, nor will all of the points be appropriate in every circumstance.
They are intended to assist in formulating detailed plans for specific situations and include the following:'
- Terrorism, Civil Unrest and Demonstrations
- Kidnap and Hostage Situations
- Extortion/ Blackmail
- Threats Against People
- [Threats Against Property
Note that these five crisis scenarios are extracted from "A Manager's Guide to Implement Your Crisis Management Plan."
There is another series of respond list developed.
[1] Actions Steps for Terrorism, Civil Unrest, and Demonstrations
The definition of Terrorism encompasses a range of complex threats: organized terrorism conducted by terrorist fighters either foreign or home grown, radicalized ‘lone wolves’, and attacks using chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials.
A demonstration is an action by a mass group or collection of groups of people partaking in a protest over a cause of concern.
This Incident action highlights some of the possible action steps CM & CC Coordinators may take in the event a Terrorist attack, demonstration, or even civil unrest threatens your organisation. Some steps participants should take note of can include:
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Contact availability of staff (Updated call tree)
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Staff preparedness
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Updated evacuation plan
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Protection of vital documents (Stored in fire-proof safes, uploaded onto the cloud, backed up in file servers etc.)
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Entry/Exit precautions (Only one entrance, screening personnel, mail, briefcases, and handbags, limit access to staff etc.)
[2] Action Steps for Kidnap and Hostage Situations
A Kidnap and Hostage situation involves a staff member of the organization being taken and held against his or her own will. Some steps participants should take note of can include:
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Information Gathering (Conducting an in-depth check on the circumstances of the disappearance, obtaining the personal file of the victim etc.)
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Engaging with the hostage taker/kidnapper (Asking for proof of life of the victim, designating telephones to be used for negotiations)
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Liaise with local law enforcement
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Establishing the company's official position on paying out ransoms
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Reassurance and protection of victim's Next-of-kins
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Establishing a media blackout
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Preparation of carefully crafted statements to the media
[3] Extortion and Blackmail
Extortion and Blackmail is an act of coercion using the threat of revealing or publicizing either substantially true or false information about a person or people or organization unless certain demands are met. Some steps participants should take note of in the event of a Blackmail and Extortion incident can include:
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Information Gathering (Obtain information on the person/organization making the demand)
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Liaise with local law enforcement
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Conduct a credibility assessment on whether the other party is capable of carrying out the threat
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Evaluate the 3 possible options:
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Payment (Give in to the demands),
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Resistance (Refuse to pay and allow the attack to take place), or
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Removal (Appear to give in while arranging an arrest operation with law enforcement)
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[4] Threats against People
Threats against People is defined as a declaration of violence against a person or people working within your organization. Very similar to the precautions taken for Terrorism, some steps participants should take note of in the event of a Threats against People incident can include:
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Liaise with local law enforcement
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Staff preparedness
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Updated evacuation plan
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Increased Security (Additional Guards)
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Entry/Exit precautions (Only one entrance, screening personnel, mail, briefcases, and handbags, limit access to staff etc.)
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Consider personal protection for staff who have received threats (Ballistic vests, provision of bodyguards etc.)
[5] Threats against Property
Threats against Property is defined as a declaration of violence against a facility, facilities, or IT infrastructure within your organization. Some steps participants should take note of in the event of a Threats against Property incident can include:
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Update of BC, IT DR, CC and CM plans
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Protection of vital documents (Stored in fire-proof safes, uploaded onto the cloud, backed up in file servers etc.)
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Staff preparedness
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Ensure that building guards have an immediate point of contact with the Incident Management Team members
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Increased Security (Checking premises and vehicles for unidentified packages)
More Information About Crisis Management Courses
To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the CM-300 Crisis Management Implementer [CM-3] and the CM-5000 Crisis Management Expert Implementer [CM-5].