[CM] [SIT] [E3] [PB] [CS] [3] During-Crisis Steps for Severe Haze Scenario

Severe Haze Crisis Scenario for Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)

Detailed Steps During the Crisis

Response, Recovery, and Resume

Purpose

The objective of the response phase is to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors while maintaining SIT's critical academic, research, and administrative functions.

This phase begins once severe haze conditions reach the pre-defined activation thresholds and continues until air quality improves sufficiently for normal operations to resume.

Step 1: Activate the Crisis Management Team (CMT)

Objective

Establish strategic leadership and coordinated decision-making for the haze crisis.

Activities

• Activate the Crisis Management Team according to the approved escalation level.
• Open the Emergency Operations Centre (in person or virtually).
• Confirm attendance of all Crisis Management Team members.
• Assign Incident Commander and functional leads.
• Establish operational reporting periods.
• Initiate the incident action planning cycle.
• Maintain a comprehensive incident log documenting all key decisions and actions.
• Activate departmental Business Continuity Coordinators.

Key Outputs

• Crisis Management Team activated.
• Emergency Operations Centre operational.
• Incident Action Plan (IAP) initiated.
• Situation reporting schedule established.

Step 2: Conduct Initial Situation Assessment

Objective

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the current operational impact.

Activities

Assess:

• Current PSI and PM2.5 levels.
• Forecast duration of haze conditions.
• Government advisories and directives.
• Air quality across all SIT campuses.
• Operational status of academic buildings.
• Indoor air quality in classrooms and laboratories.
• Health incidents involving students and staff.
• Transportation disruptions affecting campus accessibility.
• Status of partner institutions and industry attachment sites.

Identify:

• Immediate operational priorities.
• Critical risks.
• Resource shortfalls.
• Emerging issues requiring executive attention.

Key Outputs

• Initial Situation Report (SITREP).
• Campus impact assessment.
• Operational risk summary.

Step 3: Protect the Health and Safety of the Campus Community

Objective

Reduce exposure to hazardous air quality and safeguard the wellbeing of the campus community.

Activities

Implement protective measures including:

• Distribution of N95 masks.
• Suspension of outdoor activities.
• Restriction of outdoor practical classes.
• Closure of sports and recreational facilities.
• Continuous indoor air quality monitoring.
• Activation of campus medical support.
• Identification and monitoring of vulnerable individuals, including those with respiratory conditions and pregnant staff.
• Encourage hydration and reduced outdoor exposure.
• Relocate occupants from areas with poor indoor air quality where necessary.

Monitor:

• Medical consultations.
• Respiratory illness trends.
• Staff absenteeism.
• Student welfare concerns.

Key Outputs

• Health protection measures implemented.
• Medical monitoring reports.
• Student and staff welfare status reports.

Step 4: Maintain Academic Continuity

Objective

Ensure teaching, learning, and assessment continue with minimal disruption.

Activities

Implement academic continuity measures:

• Transition lectures to online delivery where appropriate.
• Convert tutorials to virtual sessions.
• Postpone outdoor fieldwork and practical exercises.
• Reschedule laboratory sessions if indoor air quality is affected.
• Suspend outdoor assessments.
• Implement flexible attendance arrangements.
• Provide remote access to learning resources.
• Extend assignment deadlines where justified.
• Review examination arrangements and contingency plans.

Coordinate with Deans and Programme Leaders to ensure consistent implementation.

Key Outputs

• Academic continuity maintained.
• Minimal disruption to student learning.
• Revised teaching schedules.

Step 5: Sustain Research Operations

Objective

Protect research integrity while ensuring researchers' safety.

Activities

Identify research activities requiring immediate intervention.

Implement:

• Reduced laboratory occupancy.
• Alternative work shifts.
• Enhanced laboratory ventilation.
• Remote monitoring of experiments where feasible.
• Protection of sensitive equipment.
• Continuity arrangements for critical research projects.
• Prioritisation of essential laboratory access.

Monitor research milestones and impacts.

Key Outputs

• Critical research maintained.
• Laboratory safety assured.
• Research impact assessment.

Step 6: Maintain Campus Operations

Objective

Ensure essential campus services remain operational throughout the haze episode.

Activities

Facilities Management to:

• Optimise HVAC operations.
• Increase filtration efficiency.
• Replace filters where necessary.
• Monitor indoor air quality continuously.
• Seal affected buildings where required.
• Suspend non-essential outdoor maintenance.
• Modify construction activities when necessary.

Campus Security to:

• Manage access to affected facilities.
• Support emergency response.
• Assist with crowd management.

Campus Services to maintain:

• Utilities.
• Cleaning.
• Food services.
• Essential logistics.

Key Outputs

• Essential facilities operational.
• Indoor environments maintained within acceptable standards.
• Campus safety preserved.

Step 7: Manage Human Resources

Objective

Protect employees while maintaining operational capability.

Activities

Implement:

• Flexible work arrangements.
• Remote work for suitable roles.
• Health monitoring.
• Occupational health support.
• Medical leave flexibility.
• Adjusted work schedules for outdoor personnel.
• Staff wellbeing initiatives.
• Employee Assistance Programme support where required.

Maintain communication with all employees regarding workplace arrangements.

Key Outputs

• Workforce protection measures implemented.
• Staff availability monitored.
• Human resource continuity maintained.

Step 8: Support Student Welfare

Objective

Ensure students receive appropriate support throughout the crisis.

Activities

Student Affairs to provide:

• Welfare assistance.
• Counselling services.
• Mental health support.
• Assistance for international students.
• Support for hostel residents.
• Financial assistance where necessary.
• Emergency accommodation support if required.

Maintain regular communication with student leaders and student organisations.

Key Outputs

• Student welfare maintained.
• Counselling services available.
• Vulnerable students supported.

Step 9: Communicate with Stakeholders

Objective

Provide timely, accurate, and consistent information to all stakeholders.

Activities

Issue regular updates covering:

• Air quality conditions.
• Campus operating status.
• Academic arrangements.
• Health advisories.
• Changes to campus activities.
• Transport information.
• Available support services.

Communicate through:

• SIT website.
• Email.
• SMS notifications.
• Student portal.
• Staff portal.
• Mobile applications.
• Social media.
• Digital display boards.

Ensure all communications are aligned with government advisories.

Key Outputs

• Scheduled communications released.
• Stakeholder confidence maintained.
• Misinformation minimised.

Step 10: Coordinate with External Agencies

Objective

Maintain effective coordination with government agencies and external partners.

Activities

Maintain liaison with:

• Ministry of Education.
• National Environment Agency.
• Ministry of Health.
• Ministry of Manpower.
• Campus healthcare providers.
• Public transport operators.
• Industry partners.
• Research collaborators.
• Emergency services.

Provide requested situation updates and receive operational guidance.

Key Outputs

• External coordination maintained.
• Regulatory compliance achieved.
• Government guidance implemented.

Step 11: Monitor Operations and Review Decisions

Objective

Continuously assess the effectiveness of response measures and adjust strategies as conditions evolve.

Activities

Conduct scheduled operational reviews covering:

• Air quality trends.
• Campus operations.
• Academic delivery.
• Research activities.
• Student welfare.
• Staff availability.
• Resource consumption.
• Emerging operational risks.

Review Incident Action Plans and modify response priorities where necessary.

Escalate or de-escalate response levels based on predefined criteria.

Key Outputs

• Updated Situation Reports (SITREPs).
• Revised Incident Action Plans.
• Executive decision records.

Step 12: Prepare for Recovery

Objective

Begin planning for the orderly restoration of normal campus operations while response activities continue.

Activities

Develop recovery plans covering:

• Return to face-to-face teaching.
• Reopening of outdoor facilities.
• Resumption of sporting activities.
• Laboratory recovery.
• Deferred examinations.
• Campus events.
• Building inspections.
• HVAC maintenance and filter replacement.
• Communication of recovery timelines.

Identify lessons emerging during the response for incorporation into the recovery phase.

Key Outputs

• Recovery Action Plan.
• Operational transition schedule.
• Preliminary lessons identified.

Expected Outcomes

By the conclusion of the response phase, SIT should achieve the following outcomes:

• Protect the health and wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors through effective exposure control measures.
• Maintain continuity of teaching, learning, research, and essential administrative functions using flexible academic and operational arrangements.
• Sustain safe campus operations through enhanced environmental monitoring, facilities management, and business continuity measures.
• Deliver clear, timely, and coordinated communications that reinforce public confidence and support informed decision-making.
• Coordinate effectively with government agencies, healthcare providers, industry partners, and other stakeholders throughout the haze episode.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of decisions, actions, and operational impacts to support recovery, post-incident review, and continuous improvement.

Click the icon for the crisis management playbook for the three stages: Pre-, During-, and Post-crisis 

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].