Policy 10.1 - Risk Management - Business Disruption Recovery

Effective Date: 30-Apr-97
Responsible Branch: Human Resources Branch (Emergency Preparedness) / Financial Management Branch (Business Continuation Planning)

Management Services Volume Table of Contents | Amendment Log

Scope

This policy covers risk management by the Ministry of Forests in response to and recovery from a major business disruption (e.g., from a building fire, earthquake, etc.).

Policy

The Ministry will provide for the safety of personnel, visitors on Ministry property, facilities, and equipment, and provide for the Ministry's protection from liability in the event of a major business disruption.

Each Responsibility Centre Manager will develop an Emergency Preparedness Plan and a Business Continuation Plan. Where there is more than one Responsibility Centre Manager in a building, one Manager will be designated to coordinate and integrate the plans. The Business Continuation Plan will be coordinated in a geographic location as required.

Following a business disruption, the Ministry will re-establish all business activities at the earliest opportunity.

Preparation for Business Disruptions

The preparation for and the initial response to provincial catastrophic disasters is the responsibility of the local authority (municipality, regional district, or provincial government where the disaster occurs in unorganized territory). If the local authority initiates a state of emergency, it may ask for assistance from the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP). PEP will assist by coordinating responses from other agencies.

Emergency Preparedness Plans will include proper evacuation procedures, which will provide instructions to staff and visitors.

Structured Business Continuation Plans will be developed by each responsibility centre, or group of responsibility centres, identifying:

• critical Ministry functions, in order of priority, to be restored following a business disruption
• who is responsible for the restoration of the identified critical Ministry functions
• what resources are available or required for the restoration of critical Ministry functions

Copies of the plans will be kept offsite in a secure location, with backup personnel identified.

Responsibility Centre Managers will provide the necessary emergency preparedness resources, key personnel, and alternate business continuation processes. These will be examined and tested annually (paper exercise), or more frequently when any changes have been made to existing plans.

Responding to Business Disruptions

The Responsibility Centre Manager will immediately activate the Emergency Preparedness Plan. In buildings with more than one Responsibility Centre Manager (e.g., 595 Pandora Avenue), agreement will be reached, in advance, as to which Responsibility Centre Manager will activate the Emergency Preparedness Plan.

The health and safety of staff and visitors are of paramount concern.

Local municipal authorities such as fire, police, and ambulance services are responsible for providing public safety and services. All Ministry staff are advised to cooperate with the municipal public safety agencies.

Business Continuation After Disruption

Business Continuation Plans will be activated after a business disruption at the direction of the Responsibility Centre Manager or the local command team leader.

Prior to the re-occupation of any Ministry facility following a business disruption, directors and managers must ensure these properties are safe for human occupancy. This will be coordinated by local Financial Management Branch personnel in consultation with the B.C. Building Corporation (BCBC) and/or local engineering consultants.

As part of the Business Continuation Plan, critical incident stress management (CISM) assistance through either mental health professionals and/or trained peer support persons will be available for all staff exposed to trauma.

Definition: Responsibility Centre Manager

For this policy, Responsibility Centre Manager is defined as Regional Manager, District Manager, and Branch Director.

• Personnel Management Policy and Procedures Manual
• Ministry of Forests Policy Manual, Management Services, 6.1 Critical Incident Stress Management Program