Course Overview

The Crisis Management and Response in Facilities Training Course is a 5-day advanced-level program designed to equip facilities management professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises in any facility setting. This course addresses modern crisis management practices, leveraging both traditional strategies and advanced technologies. Participants will explore proactive risk management techniques, emergency planning, incident response, and recovery strategies, all while preparing for future challenges, including cybersecurity threats, natural disasters, and emerging global crises.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the Crisis Management Lifecycle – Gain a comprehensive understanding of the stages of crisis management: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
2. Develop a Crisis Management Plan – Learn how to create, implement, and test a robust crisis management plan tailored to facility needs.
3. Manage Facility Emergencies Effectively – Acquire skills to manage emergency situations such as fires, medical incidents, natural disasters, security threats, and more.
4. Leverage Technology for Crisis Response – Explore the use of advanced technologies such as real-time monitoring systems, IoT, and AI-driven tools in crisis response and management.
5. Coordinate Multi-Agency Response – Understand how to coordinate with local emergency services, government agencies, and internal teams for effective crisis resolution.
6. Build Crisis Resilience and Recovery Strategies – Learn how to implement recovery strategies, ensuring that the facility can quickly return to full operation after a crisis.
7. Prepare for Future Threats and Challenges – Equip facilities with the tools to anticipate and respond to emerging threats, including cyber-attacks, pandemics, and climate-related disasters.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for professionals in facilities management, security, safety, and emergency response roles. It is specifically tailored for those involved in the planning, response, and recovery from crises affecting buildings and facilities. The course is beneficial for:

• Facilities Managers & Operations Teams – Responsible for managing day-to-day facility operations and emergency response.
• Security Managers & Personnel – In charge of protecting the facility from security threats and coordinating emergency responses.
• Emergency Response & Safety Officers – Overseeing safety protocols, risk assessments, and emergency evacuation procedures.
• Crisis Management Teams – Individuals directly involved in managing crises and coordinating response efforts.
• Risk Management Professionals – Responsible for assessing and mitigating potential risks to the facility and its occupants.
• IT & Cybersecurity Professionals – Individuals looking to integrate cyber-resilience into crisis management plans.
• Project Managers & Planners – Those involved in facility planning and development, including disaster recovery and resilience strategies.
• Government & Emergency Services – Local authorities and agencies working with facilities in crisis situations.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Crisis Management in Facilities

• Morning Session:

  • Understanding Crisis Management
    • Definition of crisis management and its importance in facilities management
    • The four phases of crisis management: Prevention, Preparedness, Response, Recovery
    • Key challenges in managing crises within facilities
  • Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis
    • Identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities in facilities
    • Techniques for conducting risk assessments and prioritizing threats
    • Scenario-based risk analysis exercises

• Afternoon Session:

  • Building a Crisis Management Framework
    • Components of an effective crisis management plan
    • Roles and responsibilities within the crisis management team
    • Emergency communication protocols and coordination
  • Workshop:
    • Developing a basic crisis management framework for a fictional facility

Day 2: Crisis Response and Incident Command Systems

• Morning Session:

  • Incident Command Systems (ICS)
    • Overview of ICS and its application in facility crisis management
    • ICS roles: Incident Commander, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance
    • The importance of clear communication and command during an emergency
  • Emergency Evacuation Procedures and Drills
    • Designing and implementing effective evacuation plans for different crises
    • Conducting evacuation drills and assessing outcomes
    • Special considerations for high-risk populations (elderly, disabled, etc.)

• Afternoon Session:

  • Managing Facility-Specific Emergencies
    • Crisis scenarios: fire, medical emergencies, security threats, chemical spills, etc.
    • Hands-on crisis simulations for various types of emergencies
    • Using technology for real-time incident tracking and response
  • Workshop:
    • Simulated facility crisis scenario (fire, security breach, or power failure) with role-playing for incident command

Day 3: Technology Integration in Crisis Management

• Morning Session:

  • Leveraging IoT and Real-Time Monitoring in Crisis Management
    • How smart technologies and IoT devices can enhance crisis response
    • Real-time building systems monitoring (HVAC, fire alarms, security systems)
    • Integrating smart technologies for preemptive alerts and early warnings
  • Cybersecurity Threats and Crisis Management
    • Emerging cybersecurity threats in facility management
    • Cyberattacks and their impact on physical and digital infrastructure
    • Crisis management for IT and cyber-resilience

• Afternoon Session:

  • AI and Automation in Crisis Response
    • AI-based decision-making tools in crisis management
    • Robotics and drones for emergency response (firefighting, search and rescue)
    • Digital platforms for crisis coordination (e.g., emergency management software)
  • Workshop:
    • Hands-on session with crisis management software and technology tools

Day 4: Crisis Communication and Multi-Agency Coordination

• Morning Session:

  • Effective Crisis Communication Strategies
    • Developing communication plans for crisis situations
    • Communicating with internal teams, external stakeholders, and the public
    • Social media and digital platforms for real-time crisis communication
  • Coordination with Emergency Services and Government Agencies
    • How to collaborate with local emergency services (fire, police, medical)
    • Managing inter-agency coordination during a large-scale crisis
    • Crisis communication protocols for government and public health emergencies

• Afternoon Session:

  • Media Management During a Crisis
    • Managing media relations and public information during an emergency
    • Controlling misinformation and ensuring accurate reporting
  • Workshop:
    • Crisis communication simulation with media, internal teams, and external agencies

Day 5: Recovery and Business Continuity

• Morning Session:

  • Recovery Planning and Continuity of Operations
    • Key principles of business continuity and disaster recovery
    • Building resilience into your crisis management plan
    • Post-crisis recovery: restoring normal operations and lessons learned
  • Emergency Restoration and Facility Repair
    • Coordinating repair teams for damaged facilities
    • Prioritizing building systems for recovery and restoration
    • Vendor management and emergency contract execution

• Afternoon Session:

  • Future-Proofing Crisis Management Plans
    • Preparing for emerging threats: climate change, pandemics, terrorism, etc.
    • The role of technology in future crisis management
    • Building a culture of preparedness and continuous improvement
  • Final Workshop:
    • Group presentations on comprehensive crisis management and recovery strategies
  • Course Review & Certification
    • Recap of key course takeaways
    • Final Q&A session and feedback
    • Certification presentation

Conclusion

This Crisis Management and Response in Facilities course empowers facilities management professionals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to handle any crisis situation, from immediate response to long-term recovery. It integrates smart technologies, real-time monitoring systems, and collaborative approaches to ensure resilience, compliance, and preparedness for future challenges.