Journal of business continuity & emergency planning
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J Bus Contin Emer Plan · Jan 2013
Disaster and exercise performance information collection tool: capturing observations in four minutes or less.
The objectives of the work described in this paper were to: (a) identify existing gaps in data collection, processing and dissemination across all types of emergencies; (b) build a tool that permits documentation, manipulation and propagation of relevant observations in emergency preparedness exercises or real-world incidents to inform critical decision makers in real time and to facilitate the elaboration of lessons learned, best practices and pioneering strategies for the management of future disasters; (c) validate the efficacy of the tool for collecting, processing and disseminating disaster-related information, through its integration in a series of exercises. The disaster and exercise performance information collection tool (DEPICT) was developed to address needs identified via the analysis of survey responses provided by representatives of military and civilian organisations with disaster response experience. Consensus discussions were held to identify criteria and operational parameters for the tool. ⋯ The application allows responders, emergency planners and exercise evaluators to capture written and photographic field observations, on average, in four minutes or less per observation. These observations may be further processed or formatted offsite by analysts, prior to their submission for final exercise performance evaluation. Ultimately, the data form the basis of after-action reports, which, in turn, underpin future decision making and improved disaster response practices.
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J Bus Contin Emer Plan · Jan 2013
A study to identify winning strategies for the business community during the next pandemic.
This study examines the relationship between the healthcare system and the corporate sector to answer the following research question: how does the healthcare system best prepare small to medium-sized businesses for the next pandemic influenza? Data were collected and collated through a literature review, electronic survey and semi-structured follow-up telephone interviews. The participants were businesses with membership in the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, a provincial lobby group in Alberta, Canada. The findings indicate strategies that were effective in minimising impact to the business community during the H1N1 pandemic and suggest areas for the business community to improve in preparation for the next pandemic influenza. Recommendations focus on establishing new links for communication between the business community and the healthcare sector and improving strategies to increase the resilience of small to medium-sized businesses for the next pandemic influenza.
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J Bus Contin Emer Plan · Jan 2012
ReviewEmergency and crisis management: critical incident stress management for first responders and business organisations.
A literature review was performed on critical incident stress after September 11th, 2001 (9/11), and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which focused on the need to implement a holistic critical incident stress management programme for first responders and business organisations. Critical incident stress management is required to handle acute stress and other distress in the face of natural or man-made disasters, including terrorist attacks. A holistic approach to community resilience through a well-planned and implemented critical incident stress management programme has been shown in the literature to promote self-help and self-efficacy of individuals and organisations. ⋯ Implementing a critical incident stress management programme within a responding business organisation is critical because of the fact that first responders are the most susceptible every day to exposure to critical incidents that will affect their mental health; and business employees will suffer some of the same maladies as first responders in the event of a disaster or crisis. Utilising the framework provided, a holistic critical incident stress management programme can be implemented to help reduce the effects of burnout, absenteeism, acute stress, post-traumatic stress, substance use and traumatic stress, and to work to promote community resilience and toughen individuals against the effects of stress. Taking care of the needs of the employees of a business organisation, and of those of first responders, is clearly required.
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J Bus Contin Emer Plan · Jan 2012
Is preparedness for CBRN incidents important to general practitioners in East London?
General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in public health response to CBRN incidents, including disseminating information to worried patients and undertaking risk assessments of patients. The authors undertook the first known UK survey of GPs' CBRN preparedness to assess knowledge and attitudes towards CBRN preparedness among GPs in East London, in the area of the Olympic Park. A questionnaire was developed, focusing on GPs' self-preparedness for, and perceived roles in CBRN incidents, and GPs' access to resources and policies for dealing with such incidents. ⋯ Most practices had no policy for dealing with suspect packages and white powder incidents. Since this survey, guidance and training has been made available to local GPs. As the UK will host more events like the 2012 Olympics, preparedness for GPs will continue to be an important consideration in the UK.
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J Bus Contin Emer Plan · Jun 2011
Resource allocation: an approach for enhancing hospital resiliency.
The objective of the work described in this paper was to develop the Hospital Emergency Support Function (HESF) model, which could be used by hospitals to augment medical surge capacity based on the reallocation of internal hospital personnel, in the wake of a catastrophic natural or manmade disaster. A group of subject matter experts, including clinicians with disaster response experience, hospital emergency coordinators and business continuity planners, was assembled to conceptualise the basic framework of the HESF model. The model was validated via feedback from a panel of decision makers at Yale-New Haven Hospital and development of a consensus among the panel, using a modified Delphi method. ⋯ Based on this classification, personnel assigned to non-critical hospital departments were identified as potentially divertible to HESFs, ie available to enhance medical surge capacity during a catastrophic emergency. The activation of the HESF model provides an alternative to utilising external resources for enhancing staffing during a medical surge event. The HESF model is based on the National Response Framework Emergency Support Functions and relies solely on internal hospital personnel to augment medical surge capacity in the event of a medical and public health crisis.