The objective of the pre-crisis phase is to establish governance, strengthen preparedness, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure that SIT can rapidly activate and coordinate a response should a mass-casualty incident occur during an overseas student trip.
Given the complexity of overseas travel and the involvement of multiple stakeholders across jurisdictions, preparation is essential to safeguard student welfare and minimise operational, reputational, and academic disruption.
Create a formal crisis management structure with clearly defined authority, accountability, and escalation pathways.
Identify and appoint:
|
Position |
Responsibilities |
|
President |
Strategic leadership and major decisions |
|
Crisis Director |
Overall command and coordination |
|
Student Affairs Office |
Student welfare and accountability |
|
Global Education Office |
Overseas programme oversight |
|
Corporate Communications |
Internal and external communication |
|
Campus Security |
Incident coordination |
|
Legal Advisor |
Regulatory and legal advice |
|
Human Resources |
Staff welfare |
|
IT Support |
Communication and information systems |
|
Medical Advisor |
Medical coordination |
Examples:
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
Establish activation authority and thresholds.
Identify threats and vulnerabilities that may affect students travelling overseas.
Assess:
Develop:
Overseas Travel Risk Register
Sample fields:
Likelihood
Impact
Existing Controls
Additional Mitigation
Ensure rapid access to accurate information during emergencies.
Collect:
passport details
emergency contacts
next-of-kin details
medical conditions
allergies
blood group
travel itinerary
accommodation details
insurance details
medication requirements
Requirements:
Ensure students are medically covered and supported overseas.
Review:
travel insurance coverage
hospitalisation coverage
emergency evacuation coverage
repatriation coverage
accidental death coverage
Identify:
Country Medical Support Directory
Build external support channels before travel.
Develop contact directories for:
Overseas Emergency Contact Directory
Prepare students before departure.
Provide a briefing on:
Student Travel Safety Handbook
Enable rapid and controlled information dissemination.
Prepare templates for:
Crisis Communication Pack
Enable rapid tracking of student status during emergencies.
Category
Safe
Injured
Missing
Hospitalised
Evacuated
Deceased
Define:
Student Accountability Tracker
Validate readiness and improve crisis response capability.
Conduct:
Scenarios:
Test:
Exercise Reports and Improvement Plans
Ensure operational capability during activation.
Prepare:
dedicated room
communication equipment
video conferencing capability
secure data access
crisis management software
contact databases
Crisis Operations Centre Activation Guide
Prepare for family and next-of-kin support requirements.
Prepare:
Develop:
Family Support SOP
Conduct a review before departure:
destination risk approved
student data verified
insurance confirmed
emergency contacts verified
Travel advisory reviewed
communication tested
crisis team on standby
briefings completed
Programme leader sign-off and SIT management approval
Upon completion of the preparedness activities, SIT should possess:
This preparedness phase forms the operational foundation that enables SIT to respond rapidly and effectively in a mass-casualty crisis involving students overseas.
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.
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
| Introduction | Pre-Crisis | During Crisis | Post-Crisis |
| Managing Mass Casualties | Preparedness and Prevention/ Reduction | Response, Recovery and Resume | Recovery, Restore and Return Home |
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].
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Please feel free to send us a note if you have any questions. |
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