Preparing for the Unexpected
ALEX FULLICK, MBCI,CBCP,CBRA,ITIL,CORS,cABCF,ISO22301,Author
Preparing for the Unexpected is about how people, organizations and communities plan, prepare, test, communicate and respond to sudden unplanned events such as natural and manmade disasters and crises. The show is for everyone who wants an understanding of how plans are created for individuals, organizations and communities and for anyone who wants to know what they can do in their own lives to help protect themselves from unexpected events.
There is a myth that disasters happen to others but in reality, they happen to everyone. It's just a matter of when and how well-prepared you are. The greater the level of awareness, communication and knowledge, the quicker one bounces back from adversity.
The overall aim of Preparing for the Unexpected is to reduce the suffering, effects and impacts caused as a result of disasters and unexpected life events by increasing knowledge and awareness of Operational Resilience, Business Contingency, Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, and related activities.
There is a myth that disasters happen to others but in reality, they happen to everyone. It's just a matter of when and how well-prepared you are. The greater the level of awareness, communication and knowledge, the quicker one bounces back from adversity.
The overall aim of Preparing for the Unexpected is to reduce the suffering, effects and impacts caused as a result of disasters and unexpected life events by increasing knowledge and awareness of Operational Resilience, Business Contingency, Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, and related activities.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 2, 2017 • 56min
The Ontario Association of Emergency Management - OAEM
This episode will focus on the Ontario Association of Emergency Management (OAEM). We'll talk with the president of the OAEM, Mr. Mike O'Brien and how he and his OAEM colleagues are building a central community for Emergency Managers. We'll discuss topics such as; the OAEM conference (October 2018), the organizations goals and objectives, what sets Emergency Management apart from Business Continuity professionals, necessary skills for good Emergency Manager and tips for how current Emergency Managers can become more effective in their current role. It guarantees to be an informative show with a very informed guest.
Oct 26, 2017 • 55min
Business Impact Analysis: Tips and Slips When Performing a BIA
One of the most important aspects of building a Business Continuity or Disaster Recovery Program is ensuring the quality of planning and execution of a Business Impact Analysis (BIA). The BIA is the foundation upon which a strong program is build. Leveraging information contained within his book Business Impact Analysis: Building the Foundation for a Strong Business Continuity Program, Alex Fullick will take us through some of the trips and slips that many BCM/DR practitioners encounter when performing a BIA and what the impact of these slips have on the program. Alex will share not just the problems encountered but solutions to help strengthen you BIA.
Oct 12, 2017 • 55min
Discussing the Impacts of the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes
In April 2015 the world watched in horror as Nepal was decimated by a massive earthquake; an earthquake from which the country is still recovering. Listen to this week's show when we speak to Professor Meen Chhetri from Katmandu, Nepal, who will discuss the impacts of the earthquake and how the country responded - and how the Nepal's views on Disaster Management and Preparedness has changed. You'll even hear some surprising hurdles the country encountered that have hindered its progress to rebuild. Professor Chhetri will give us a first hand account of what happened and how the country is moving forward. We'll also touch on the recent floods and landslides and the impacts they have had on a struggling nation slowly rebuilding itself after the 2015 earthquake.
Oct 5, 2017 • 57min
BCM and DR Plans: 12 Things NOT to Include in Your Plan
We put allot of energy into creating our BCM/BCP/DR plans and some can contain reams and reams of information but the bigger the plan doesn't always equate to a better plans. To often the plans contain information that doesn't help the user because there is too much fluff in the plan and not enough actions. This week's show will identify 12 segments of information that doesn't need to be included in your action plans because it's fluff information, which can cause the segments are really required to be actioned during a disaster or crisis, to be buried under unimportant information. Tune in and find out if you've got too much fluff in your action plans.
Sep 28, 2017 • 56min
2017 Lismore, Australia Floods: First Hand Experiences
We can learn allot by learning from others and this week's show will focus on the first hand experience of a business owner James Marshal of North Coast Wholesale & Distribution located in Lismore, Australia whose business came to a grinding halt when Lismore experienced a massive flood in March of 2017. James will provide us some hands on experience of what his business did to prepare for the flood and how they responded to it - even walking through waist high water to keep from loosing his stock. It's a first hand view of what happened during the flood and how the city council and the local population pulled together to help each other from someone who went through it.
Sep 21, 2017 • 55min
BCM and DR: Preparing for Public Relations
This week we talk about Communications and Public Relations with globally recognized PR expert and author, Gerry McCusker. Communications is key in any disaster situation and the battle for who controls the narrative rages strong due to social media. Gone are the days of press releases; today you've got to be quick to get your message out there and know how to get the right message out there - and keep in control of the message. We'll discuss how the PR landscape has changed and what organizations really need to concentrate on to keep their message on track and not fall victim to rumour and conjecture. Gerry will provide lots of tips and example of how we can better prepare ourselves for those potential PR disasters.
Sep 14, 2017 • 56min
Testing BCM and DR Plans - Part 3: Test Findings and Summary
In our final part of the 3 part series on testing BCP/DR plans, we focus on what you should be doing during the test, how to collect findings information and how to package the information for Executive consumption. All to often tests just happen and people move on to other things but to ensure success and ensure that objectives have been met, proper findings documentation and Executive Summary(s) need to be created. Tune in and get some tips on how to manage the collection of issues and actions during and after the test to ensure you BCM program continues to move forward to greater success.
Sep 7, 2017 • 56min
Testing BCM and DR Plans - Part 2: Test Types and Planning
Carrying on from our last episode, this week's show focuses on the various ways we can test our Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans; from basic walkthroughs to full scale simulations. We'll discuss how to start documenting the planning process; from walkthroughs to full scale simulations. The Test Charter will ensure that all teams involved work from the same 'playbook' allowing for a greater level of understanding, awareness, direction and ultimately success. By using this approach and helping to increase test awareness and the activities involved, you'll be able to test the plan, rather than plan the test. Listen in for some great tips on how to manage and facilitate your BC / DR tests for greater results.
Aug 31, 2017 • 57min
Testing BCM and DR Plans - Part 1: Buy In and Value
We can spent allot of resources on creating Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity and Emergency Response plans full of content that might help us during a disaster but the content doesn't mean a thing if it hasn't been validated through testing. This episode, Part 1 of a 3 part series about testing our BCM / DR plans, will focus on obtaining the value of testing and how to obtain buy-in from an organization's leadership.
Aug 24, 2017 • 57min
BCM and DR: Preparing for Our Pets
Have you ever watched news reports after disasters and seen animals wandering looking for their owners, or owners upset because they can't find their pets? You've probably seen the scenes - they pull at our heart strings. This week's episode will focus on often forgotten elements that people forget when it comes to pets; choosing the right pet, pet care, integrating pets into a household and caring for pets during disasters and emergencies. For many, pets are members of the family and we often forget to prepare for the impacts they can have on our lives and how they can be impacted by disasters. As we care for ourselves and try to prepare for the unexpected, we need to prepare to care for our pet - our little furry family members. Join us as we speak to Dr. Barbara Drewry, a veterinarian from the Royal City Animal Hospital in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, as we learn many new facets about preparing ourselves and our homes for pets; from insurance to creating a pet emergency kit.
