Pandemics Incident Management

Incident Management Guidelines

A disease outbreak or pandemic is the occurrence of incidences of disease in excess of what would normally be expected within a defined community, geographical area, or season. An outbreak may occur in a restricted geographical area, or may extend over several countries. The risk period may be short, lasting several days or weeks, or may be protracted, lasting months or years. A single case of a communicable disease long absent from a population or caused by an agent (e.g., bacterium or virus) not previously recognized in that community or area or the emergence of a previously unknown disease may also constitute an outbreak and should be reported and investigated.

In the event of such an incident occurring, the following points should be addressed:

✓ Action Points

1. Stand up the Incident Management and Crisis Response Teams using the SAD CHALETS system.
2. Determine the affected area and nature of the pandemic: Are project staff or operations within or near an affected area? Have personnel just returned from the affected area?
3. Determine the response actions being taken by government or other groups: Are they effective?
4. Determine whether anyone within the company has been infected.
5. Evaluate whether it is safer to evacuate personnel or to remain in place.
6. How long will local authorities permit people to leave the area?
7. Can the local authorities manage the situation? Do they have the capacity and expertise?
8. Are there sufficient resources to remain in place, notably food and water?
9. Can vaccines and medicines be mobilized to support the management of the pandemic?
10. Are there other threats that might result from the pandemic: civil disorder, utility disruptions, and interruption of essential material deliveries?
11. Should the local workforce be sent home? What instructions of support can be offered?
12. Evaluate what resources are required to move project staff to a safe location.
13. Implement other aspects of the IMP as required.
14. Provide an IMP Risk Assessment Report as soon as possible.

Key People to Call (see the IMP Communications Plan)

Group	Yes/No	Group	Yes/No
• Medical organization		• Organic QRF
• Military interface		• Crisis response team
• Embassy or consulate		• Security provider (vendor)
• Police, fire, or ambulance		• Other groups