The Restrata Blog

Opinion Article

In a world where threat and risk profiles are constantly changing, it has never been more important for businesses to understand the key aspects of emergency planning, and have a plan in place should the worst happen.

Duty of Care is a key responsibility of any organisation, and the importance is growing, with governments around the globe implementing legislation to ensure staff are kept safe, and of course the increased risks of incidents. Terrorist attacks are occurring more often, and political instability is rife in many emerging markets that are a focus for many businesses, however it is more likely that a traveller will be a victim of petty crime such as being robbed or be involved in a car or transportation accident than the victim of a terrorist attack.

If you choose to become a company family liaison representative, and unfortunately have to perform that role one day, reason number one: it will probably turn out to be the best thing you’ve ever done in your working life. Not because it’s good for your CV, or because others will witness it and think you are wonderful, but because you’ll have supported a grieving family through the darkest and most difficult days of their lives. You’ll have provided a shoulder to cry on and a practical, honest account of what’s happening at any given point. You’ll have helped to make the unbearable bearable.

In the 5th century BC, General Sun Tzu wrote in “The Art of War” that “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat”. Given that effective Incident Management requires the formulation and application of appropriate tactics to support operational response whilst complying with strategic intent, it can reasonably be said that the fundamental principles of Incident Management have not changed in centuries.