Design of Pandemic Incident Simulation

Design of Incident Simulation

Incident simulation is the detailed preparation for the design of incident management. It is the backbone of the tests and exercises needed to stress-test our Business Continuity and Pandemic Preparedness plans, with the objectives of crafting scenarios to ensure that, in the event of a pandemic, your plan will actually work as you intended it to be.

This article touches upon some of the details you need to consider before you even go into fleshing out the scenario and injects your intended exercise.

Purpose of Exercise

The exercise provides organizations with tools to assist in planning and conducting tabletop exercises on the topic of an Infectious Disease outbreak. The exercises serve to identify where plans may need to be refined or modified, and thus lead to strengthening preparedness. It should be viewed as a fundamental part of Infectious Disease BC planning activities.

List of Scenarios

These are some examples of possible scenarios that a facilitator may want to introduce an exercise:

• Pandemic alert.
• Cluster occurring outside of the organization.
• Outbreak within the organization.
• Interruption of services.
• Economic emergency

Types of Exercises

Preparedness Exercise

The exercise addresses planning issues that will emerge in the following areas during an Infectious Disease:

• Surveillance
• Vaccination
• Anti-viral medications
• Communications
• Emergency response

Participants in the overview exercise are people involved in planning for and responding to a disease outbreak. They include but are not restricted to, staff in the areas of:

•  Public health. 
• Public information. 
• Public safety. 
• Emergency management. 
• Healthcare.
• The response stage is the emphasis on this exercise.

Objectives of Exercise of Incident Simulation

• Raise awareness about the impact of Infectious Disease on the organization. 
• Increase understanding regarding the responsibilities of all members of the organization.
• Determine whether initial plans adequately address anticipated events. 
• Identify gaps in coordination between the organization and various agencies. 
• Promote planning between the organization and other agencies.

Exercise Structure

The tabletop exercises can be structured in the following ways:

• A functional group approach
• The mixed group approach
• A single mixed group

Reference Guide

Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager’s Guide to Implement Your Infectious Disease Business Continuity Plan, 2nd Edition. GMH Pte Ltd.

Do You Want to Continue Training During A Pandemic Outbreak?

Due to the pandemic outbreak, BCM Institute will be conducting its certification courses via interactive video conferencing, online and e-learning mode. Find out more about the Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Crisis Management (CM) Blended Learning (BL) courses.

For this period, the content will include the managing and implementing of the Pandemic Influenza plans.