EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS
To safeguard the wellbeing and effectiveness of crisis management teams, organisations should consider implementing the following support measures:
● Comprehensive mental health resources: Ensuring access to a range of mental health resources is crucial. This might include on- demand counselling services, stress management programmes tailored to the specific pressures of crisis management, and peer support networks where employees can share experiences and coping strategies. These resources help mitigate the psychological impact of managing high-stakes situations, fostering a supportive environment where employees feel equipped to handle the emotional demands of their roles.
● Structured rest periods and workload management: It is vital to create policies that mandate regular rest periods, especially during prolonged crises. Implementing structured breaks, both during the workday and between intense operations, can significantly reduce the risk of burnout.
● Training and development: Continuous training is a cornerstone of effective crisis management. Beyond the technical skills necessary for navigating complex evacuations, for example, this training should also focus on building resilience and stress management techniques. Regular workshops, simulations, and scenario-based training sessions can prepare teams for a variety of crisis situations, helping them to stay agile and composed under pressure.
The International SOS Risk Outlook Report 2024 highlights the need to initiate programmes like this, as 80% of global risk professionals reported that burnout would significantly impact global businesses this year.
And there seems to be no let up as the security escalations in Ukraine and the Middle East continue, leaving little room for recovery between incidents and increasing the likelihood of fatigue. This situation leaves employees in a difficult situation, managing risk assessments, communication plans, and key decisions whilst coping with mental stress. The intense strain and pressure are often worsened by the need for several roles and responsibilities to be accounted for by fewer individuals than required.
THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF
CONTINGENCY PLANNING To further bolster the effectiveness of CMTs and IMTs, especially during complex evacuations, organisations can significantly benefit from the support of specialised third-party experts. Particularly when conventional evacuation methods are no longer viable, having access to external expertise becomes crucial. For example, International SOS employs a pre-developed concept of operations to tailor the most suitable evacuation strategies for each client. This approach is essential in scenarios where the unexpected can rapidly escalate into a full-blown crisis.
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International SOS’ Risk Outlook Report 2024 has outlined how 38% of risk management experts believe their organisations are not equipped to respond to or mitigate the effects of social or civil unrest. This figure highlights the importance of harnessing specialised, third-party expertise when managing an expected or ongoing crisis. Working with external organisations enables access to security experts who provide actionable insights and timely intelligence, reducing the delay between decision and implementation.
A great example of this model in action comes from our work in the Middle East. As the new wave of conflict surged, International SOS’ Incident Management Team was deployed to Israel, offering expertise and updating clients’ crisis management teams as developments continued. Throughout the Israel-Gaza crisis, International SOS carried out over 50 ground evacuations and four charter flights. More recently, International SOS teams travelled to Lebanon and Cyprus for planning consideration visits before determining that, due to the likely limited window of opportunity to leave the country, evacuation by sea had become the main viable option for those leaving the country. Part of the process also involved understanding when evacuations were not appropriate for clients and helping them when it comes to staying put and managing the risks involved with that.
As global crises become more frequent and complex, the landscape of evacuations is set to evolve rapidly. Organisations must remain agile, anticipating not just the next crisis but the cumulative impact of multiple, simultaneous threats. The need for comprehensive planning, coupled with a proactive approach to mental health and resilience, will become even more critical. As we look to the future, successful evacuations will hinge on the ability of crisis management teams to adapt quickly, leverage new technologies, and stay ahead of emerging risks. In this increasingly volatile environment, the emphasis must shift from reactive measures to building robust, forward-thinking strategies that ensure the safety and wellbeing of all employees, no matter where in the world they are.
www.internationalsos.com
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