Bird flu…swine flu… recent news has made us all aware that organizations need to prepare for the possibility of a serious pandemic. With a focus on immediate applicability, this practical course will cover preventive measures that you can implement now to maintain operational continuity in the presence of a global pandemic. It focuses on developing a continuity plan; maintaining necessary lines of internal and external communication; identifying those actions that protect human resources; and surviving shortages and transportation issues while remaining operationally sound. You’ll also get an update on current pandemic threats, including the H1N1 virus. The course is applicable to any business, governmental, nongovernmental, or volunteer organization.

Objectives:

• Begin planning to prepare for a pandemic for your organization.
• Explain why training your entire organization will be beneficial.
• Explain to your external partner organizations why you need their input into your plan.
• Identify the preventative measures your organization can implement now to maintain operational continuity during a pandemic.

Nature of the Threat

· Definition of a pandemic
· How a pandemic may develop
· Understanding the magnitude of this threat

Operational Survival

· What will happen to your workforce
· Potential supply-chain disruption
· Transportation disruption
· Communication disruption
· Critical infrastructure disruption
· Potential for large-scale civil disorder

Continuity Planning

· What should a plan address
· Controlling and minimizing the impact of prolonged disruption
· Exercising the plan
· Where to get additional information

Communication Strategies

· Elements of a communications plan
· How to maintain communications
· What should be communicated
· Timely communications
· Collaboration within a broad community of stakeholders
· The role of information technology resources

Human Resource Strategies

· Recognize that everyone will face added responsibilities in the workplace, at home, and in the community
· Need for employee participation in planning
· Implementing guidelines and protocols to control spread of the flu virus in the workplace
· Need to articulate clear policies regarding sick leave, other absences from the workplace, and compensation
· Need to articulate clear polices regarding business travel
· Need for contingency plans to close business locations and transfer functions to other locations