[CM] [SIT] [E3] [PB] [CS] [1] During-Crisis for Mass Casualty Crisis Scenario for Student Overseas Trips

Mass Casualty Crisis Scenario for Student Overseas Trips – Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)

This chapter details specific actions to take before, during, and after a Mass Casualty Crisis Scenario for Student Overseas Trips by the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)

Detailed Steps During the Crisis

Response, Recovery, and Resume

Purpose

The objective of the Response, Recovery and Resumption phase is to protect life, provide immediate assistance to affected students, establish situational awareness, coordinate stakeholders, support next of kin, manage communications, and minimise disruption to SIT operations.

During a mass-casualty incident overseas, SIT must rapidly transition from routine operations to a structured crisis-response mode capable of operating across multiple jurisdictions, agencies, hospitals, and stakeholders.

The response phase should be executed through a coordinated crisis management structure and guided by pre-established escalation procedures.

Stage 1: Incident Detection and Verification

Objective

Rapidly verify the incident and establish an initial understanding of the situation before activating broader crisis measures.

Step 1.1 Receive Incident Notification

Sources may include:

• students
• programme leaders
• local partners
• police
• hospitals
• embassies
• social media
• news agencies
• travel providers

Record:

• date and time
• reporting source
• incident location
• event description
• contact information

Step 1.2 Verify Information

Actions:

• Confirm the exact location

• determine event type

• Verify incident severity

• Identify students involved

• Confirm local authority involvement

• Identify emergency responders

Avoid assumptions and unverified information.

Deliverable

Initial Incident Report (IIR)

Stage 2: Activate SIT Crisis Management Structure

Objective

Mobilise crisis resources and establish leadership.

Step 2.1 Activate Crisis Escalation Process

Escalation triggers:

Level 1

• isolated injuries

Level 2

• hospital admissions

Level 3

• multiple serious injuries

Level 4

• fatalities and extensive media attention

Step 2.2 Activate Crisis Management Team

Notify:

Step 2.3 Activate Crisis Operations Centre

Actions:

• establish communication channels

• activate hotline

• establish a virtual coordination platform

• deploy administrative support

Deliverable

Crisis Activation Log

Stage 3: Establish Incident Command and Control

Objective

Provide structure and accountability for response operations.

Step 3.1 Establish Incident Command Structure

Assign teams:

Step 3.2 Conduct Initial Crisis Briefing

Agenda:

• incident overview
• casualty estimates
• missing persons
• known injuries
• media attention
• immediate priorities

Stage 4: Establish Student Accountability

Objective

Determine the status and location of all students.

Step 4.1 Account for All Students

Determine:

Category

• Safe

• Injured

• Missing

• Hospitalised

• Evacuated

• Deceased

• Uncontactable

Step 4.2 Implement Student Tracking Process

Collect:

• student location
• hospital assignment
• condition
• attending staff
• transportation status

Verification sources:

• programme leaders
• hospitals
• police
• embassies
• travel companions

Deliverable

Student Accountability Dashboard

Stage 5: Medical and Casualty Management

Objective

Provide coordinated medical support for affected students.

Step 5.1 Identify Hospital Locations

Determine:

• hospital name

• hospital contact

• attending physician

• number admitted

• treatment status

Step 5.2 Assign Hospital Liaison Officers

Responsibilities:

• verify identity
• monitor treatment progress
• communicate updates
• support transfers
• coordinate insurance

Step 5.3 Prioritise Casualty Management

Classification:

Deliverable

Hospital and Casualty Status Tracker

Stage 6: Coordinate with External Stakeholders

Objective

Establish coordinated external support.

Step 6.1 Notify Singapore Authorities

Notify:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Education
• Singapore Embassy
• Singapore Consulate

Step 6.2 Coordinate with Local Authorities

Engage:

• police
• hospitals
• emergency responders
• disaster agencies
• local universities

Step 6.3 Coordinate with Support Organisations

Engage:

• insurers
• airlines
• transport providers
• travel agencies

Deliverable

Stakeholder Coordination Log

Stage 7: Manage Next-of-Kin Communication

Objective

Provide timely, accurate, and compassionate communication to families.

Step 7.1 Verify Information Prior to Contact

Confirm:

• student identity

• injury status

• hospital location

• condition

Step 7.2 Assign Family Liaison Officers

Responsibilities:

• contact family members
• provide updates
• arrange travel
• coordinate support

Step 7.3 Conduct Notification Process

Process:

1. Contact next-of-kin privately
2. Confirm recipient identity
3. Provide factual information only
4. Explain support arrangements
5. Schedule follow-up updates

Avoid:

• speculation
• technical medical terms
• social media notifications

Deliverable

Family Communication Register

Stage 8: Media and Reputation Management

Objective

Maintain information control and protect institutional credibility.

Step 8.1 Activate Communications Team

Actions:

• appoint spokesperson

• issue holding statement

• monitor social media

• monitor misinformation

• coordinate media responses

Step 8.2 Develop Media Messaging

Message principles:

• empathy
• accuracy
• transparency
• privacy protection

Sample key themes:

• Student welfare is a priority
• SIT is coordinating with the authorities
• information being verified
• families being supported

Step 8.3 Monitor Digital Environment

Monitor:

• news reports
• student social media
• online rumours
• public sentiment

Deliverable

Media Situation Report

Stage 9: Deploy SIT Support Resources

Objective

Provide operational and human support to affected locations.

Actions:

Assess need for:

• deployment of SIT representatives
• medical advisors
• counsellors
• senior management
• family support personnel

Coordinate:

• flights
• accommodation
• logistics

Deliverable

Deployment Action Plan

Stage 10: Conduct Crisis Decision Meetings

Objective

Maintain shared situational awareness and strategic direction.

Initial phase

Meet every 30–60 minutes

Stabilisation phase

Meet every 2–4 hours

Meeting agenda

1. casualty updates
2. missing students
3. hospital status
4. stakeholder updates
5. family concerns
6. media issues
7. decisions required

Deliverable

Situation Reports (SITREP)

Stage 11: Documentation and Record Management

Objective

Maintain evidence and decision records.

Maintain:

• communication logs
• decision logs
• expense records
• casualty reports
• media reports
• stakeholder interactions

Deliverable

Crisis Event Chronology

End-State During Crisis Phase

The crisis response phase concludes when:

• All students are accounted for
• Casualties are stabilised
• Next of kin are informed
• media attention is controlled
• Emergency response operations reduce
• Transition to recovery begins

At this stage, SIT transitions from emergency response into recovery and post-crisis management activities.

Click the icon for the crisis management playbook for the three stages: Pre-, During-, and Post-crisis for the Managing Mass Casualty Crisis Scenario for Student Overseas Trips

Reference Guide

Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager’s Guide to Implement Your Crisis Management Plan. Business Continuity Management Specialist Series (1st ed., p. 192). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.

More Information About Crisis Management Blended/ Hybrid Learning 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].