CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM (CMT)

CHECKLIST: FIRST RESPONSE BY ROLE

SITE MANAGER / CRISIS LEAD

X	ITEM	NOTES
Call emergency services.
As outlined in your crisis management plan, report the emergency to your organization’s crisis response leader and management team.
Gather your site crisis response team.
Establish team communication channels.
Account for all employees and determine if there are injuries or deaths. Tell employees to contact their families and let them know they are safe.
Make contact with anyone who has witnessed the incident and bring them to a private office. If law enforcement asks to speak with them, do not refuse, but try first to consult the crisis management team’s legal specialist. Individuals may also want their own counsel.
Do not disturb anything that could become evidence.
Block entry to the site. If the crisis has disrupted operations, send home all staff members who are not part of the crisis response contingent. Let them know how you will update them regarding returning to work and finding the resources they may need, such as counseling.
If the crisis has attracted media attention, respond to inquiries with a short, standard response: “I am [Name], the [Title] of [Company Name]. Because this incident occurred only a short time ago, we are unable to answer your questions at this time. We will have an update for you at [time]. Until then, we need to focus on the event.”

CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM (CMT) CHECKLIST:

FIRST RESPONSE BY ROLE

CRISIS TEAM LEADER

X	ITEM	NOTES
Activate the core crisis management team members (such as the safety lead, the communication manager, and the liaison) and inform senior management.
Gather all the available facts about the emergency. Relevant facts include the following: the location, time, and nature of the occurrence; the identities, locations, and conditions of those who were involved in the occurrence.
Determine the status of the affected site or operation and take any urgent, necessary steps to stabilize it.
Based on your current information, call in any additional, necessary crisis staff members.
Activate your command center.
Assess the risk for secondary crises, such as environmental damage that might occur as a result of a plant explosion.
If relevant, set up lines of communication with the local authorities and first responders.
Establish a schedule and process for updates, such as conference calls at specific times. Distribute the relevant contact information (such as a phone number, email, or link) to the CMT.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM (CMT) CHECKLIST:

FIRST RESPONSE BY ROLE

SAFETY MANAGER

X	ITEM	NOTES
Coordinate with the crisis management team leader.
Find out the names of any employees who were injured or killed. Get contact information for their spouses or other family members. Consult with the CMT leader to determine who will call such spouses or other family members.
Debrief anyone who has witnessed the incident.
Take notes at these interviews and start an incident log.
Coordinate with human resources about administering any necessary drug or alcohol tests.
If any employees are in the hospital, assign a staff member to stay with them until families arrive.
Start an incident investigation by documenting the situation with photos, videos, and written narrative.
If a subcontractor is injured or killed, contact their employer to make sure the employer notifies the subcontractor’s spouse or other family member.
If nearby neighborhoods are affected, communicate with the community. If there are injuries or deaths among community members, do not notify the relevant families; leave that responsibility to the local authorities.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM (CMT) CHECKLIST:

FIRST RESPONSE BY ROLE

SPOKESPERSON

X	ITEM	NOTES
Gather all the available facts about the crisis. Compile all relevant background information, such as facility capacity, products manufactured, history, and number of employees.
Prepare a media statement and work with the executive liaison to get approval.
Establish a phone number for media inquiries.
Assign an administrative aide to answer those incoming calls from the media. Instruct the aide to log and prioritize calls and take messages.
Set a schedule and format (in person, via email, or via videoconference) for media briefings and publicize this information.
Anticipate questions and practice your responses.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM (CMT) CHECKLIST:

FIRST RESPONSE BY ROLE

EXECUTIVE LIAISON

X	ITEM	NOTES
Contact senior leadership members and update them.
Identify stakeholders affected by the emergency and work with senior management to determine what action to take.
Coordinate with HR for the provision of counseling and other resources.
Activate the employee emergency communication system.
Monitor media coverage.
Consult with leadership about media statements. Determine whether the incident is serious enough to designate a top executive spokesperson.
Work with the legal specialist to identify the current liabilities as well as the potential for escalated liabilities.
Keep senior leadership informed about deaths and the status of anyone who’s been injured. Discuss whether to phone or visit the relevant parties.

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