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

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)

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

Note from the Author

This is an introductory chapter for the crisis scenario: Managing Mass Casualty Crisis Scenario for Student Overseas Trips.

The content provides the reader with background, planning assumptions, and considerations before developing the detailed steps to be taken pre-crisis, during crisis, and post-crisis.

When developing the detailed steps for the crisis management playbook, these steps are further broken down into three stages.  

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

This playbook is designed to support SIT in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from a mass casualty event involving students participating in overseas programmes, educational visits, exchange programmes, industry attachment trips, field studies, or sanctioned travel within ASEAN countries.

SIT is an autonomous university with extensive industry-linked and global learning activities, making overseas student safety and crisis preparedness a critical institutional requirement.

The playbook aligns with principles from ISO 22361 Crisis Management and is structured into:

• Pre-Crisis (Preparedness and Prevention/Reduction)
• During Crisis (Response, Recovery and Resume)
• Post-Crisis (Recovery, Restore and Return Home)

Purpose of the Crisis Management Playbook

This playbook aims to:

• Protect the lives and welfare of students and staff
• Enable rapid crisis escalation and decision-making
• Coordinate SIT and Singapore authorities
• Manage communication with stakeholders and next-of-kin
• Preserve institutional reputation
• Ensure continuity of SIT operations
• Capture lessons learned and improve preparedness

Scope of Crisis

Scenario Type

Mass casualty incident involving SIT students participating in approved overseas travel

Mass casualty event:

• Multiple deaths
• Serious injuries
• Missing students
• Medical evacuation
• Hospitalisation
• Significant media attention
• Diplomatic implications

Potential ASEAN Student Mass Casualty Scenarios

The first stage of the playbook should identify credible "Severe but Plausible" crisis scenarios.

Transportation Incidents

Natural Hazards

Public Safety and Security

Health and Medical Crisis

Environmental / Infrastructure

Adventure and Academic Activities

Impact Assessment on SIT

Operational Impacts

Student welfare operations

• Missing student tracking
• Emergency assistance
• Medical coordination

Academic disruption

• Cancellation of overseas programmes
• Student return arrangements
• Schedule delays

Administrative strain

• Crisis team activation
• Staff deployment

Financial impacts

• Medical costs
• evacuation costs
• insurance claims

Reputation Impacts

Potential concerns:

• "Did SIT conduct sufficient risk assessment?"
• "Were students adequately supervised?"
• "Was there a duty of care?"
• "Were parents informed promptly?"

Potential consequences:

• Media scrutiny
• Social media criticism
• Reduced stakeholder confidence
• Public concern

Stakeholder Identification Matrix

Internal Stakeholders

Students

Family Stakeholders

Singapore Government Stakeholders

Overseas Stakeholders

External Stakeholders

This Crisis Management Playbook provides SIT with a structured approach to managing mass-casualty incidents involving students travelling overseas.

The playbook establishes preparedness measures before departure, defines immediate actions required during a crisis, and outlines recovery activities following the incident.

By integrating governance structures, hospital coordination procedures, stakeholder communication, family support mechanisms, media management protocols, and lessons-learned processes, SIT can improve institutional readiness and ensure rapid, coordinated, and compassionate response capabilities.

The playbook also supports SIT in protecting student welfare, preserving public confidence, and sustaining operational continuity during severe crisis situations.

Note for the CM Team

A mass casualty event involving students overseas is among the most complex and emotionally challenging crises a university can face.

Beyond emergency response and operational coordination, SIT's ability to demonstrate leadership, duty of care, empathy, and institutional resilience will significantly influence recovery outcomes and stakeholder confidence.

Through proactive preparation, disciplined crisis management, and continuous learning, SIT can strengthen its ability to protect lives, support affected communities, and sustain educational operations even under the most severe and disruptive circumstances.

View CM Playbook with Detailed Steps

Pre-Crisis:  Preparedness and Prevention/ Reduction

During-Crisis:  Response, Recovery and Resume

Post-Crisis:  Recovery, Restore and Return Home

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].