Agencies take part in business continuity planning workshop

Some 25 representatives from over 10 private and public sector agencies and organisations islandwide, are currently participating in a two-day business continuity planning workshop, at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston.

Jointly organised by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the workshop, which commenced yesterday March 23, aims to help improve the skill sets of participating stakeholders to respond to humanitarian emergencies, in an effort to mitigate the cost associated with injuries and deaths.

The workshop is intended to train leadership teams within the private and public sectors in the importance of pandemic preparedness and response, and the need for businesses and agencies to develop business continuity plans that will assist in reducing the economic and social impact of future pandemic or other emerging disease outbreaks in the island.

Additionally, the workshop seeks to increase the level of awareness in business continuity planning.      

Interactive in format, the workshop’s activities include: facilitator and participant presentations; small and large group work; guided readings; and simulated exercises.

Topics to be covered in the sessions include: Jamaica’s vulnerability to disasters; pandemics; disaster management and communications, relative to pandemic preparedness and response; determining continuity strategies; developing and implementing business continuity response; developing crisis management frameworks; food security; and health.

By DOUGLAS McINTOSH, JIS Reporter