Course Details

Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness Planning Training Course

Introduction

The recent global experiences have unequivocally demonstrated that pandemics and epidemics pose unique and pervasive threats, capable of causing widespread societal disruption, significant economic downturns, and severe operational challenges for organizations across all sectors. Unlike localized disasters, these events impact entire workforces, supply chains, and customer bases simultaneously, demanding a distinct and comprehensive approach to preparedness. Our intensive 10-day "Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness Planning" training course is meticulously designed to equip professionals with the specialized knowledge, practical strategies, and adaptive frameworks required to effectively anticipate, plan for, and respond to such widespread biological threats, safeguarding employee health, maintaining critical operations, and ensuring organizational resilience.

This hands-on program will guide participants through the intricate process of developing a robust pandemic preparedness plan, encompassing workforce protection measures, remote work strategies, critical service delivery mechanisms, and proactive communication protocols. You will learn to assess the specific vulnerabilities of your organization to infectious disease outbreaks, implement public health guidelines, manage supply chain disruptions unique to pandemics, and build flexible operational models that can adapt to prolonged periods of disruption. By the end of this comprehensive training, you will be proficient in creating and implementing a detailed pandemic and epidemic preparedness plan, empowering your organization to protect its people, maintain its mission, and navigate future public health crises with confidence and strategic foresight.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness Planning" training course is essential for a broad range of professionals who are responsible for ensuring the safety, health, and operational continuity of their organizations in the face of widespread infectious disease outbreaks. This includes:

• Human Resources Professionals: Directly responsible for employee health, safety, and welfare policies during an outbreak.
• Business Continuity Managers/Coordinators: Expanding their BCM programs to address the unique challenges of pandemics.
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officers: Focused on workplace hygiene, infection control, and employee protection.
• Risk Management Professionals: Integrating public health risks into enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Operations Managers: Responsible for maintaining critical services and adapting operational models.
• Facilities Managers: Overseeing workplace sanitation, ventilation, and social distancing measures.
• IT Directors and Managers: Enabling remote work capabilities and ensuring cybersecurity during a pandemic.
• Supply Chain Managers: Addressing unique supply chain disruptions caused by widespread outbreaks.
• Crisis Management Team Members: Who would lead the organization's response to a pandemic.
• Senior Leadership/Executives: Accountable for overall organizational resilience and employee well-being during a public health crisis.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness Planning" training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the unique characteristics and potential impacts of pandemics and epidemics on organizations.
• Conduct a comprehensive organizational assessment to identify vulnerabilities and critical functions during an infectious disease outbreak.
• Develop a robust Pandemic Preparedness Plan (PPP) as a standalone document or integrated into existing BCPs.
• Formulate strategies for workforce protection, including health and safety protocols, and remote work implementation.
• Design effective internal and external communication strategies for managing public health crises.
• Plan for continuity of critical business functions and service delivery during widespread absenteeism or lockdowns.
• Address supply chain disruptions unique to pandemics and identify alternative sourcing strategies.
• Understand the role of public health authorities and integrate official guidance into organizational plans.
• Develop a framework for recovery and post-pandemic learning and adaptation.
• Contribute to building a resilient organizational culture capable of responding effectively to future public health emergencies.

Course Modules

Module 1: Understanding Pandemics and Epidemics

• Definitions and characteristics of pandemics vs. epidemics.
• Historical overview of major pandemics and their global impact.
• Key transmission modes and public health interventions (e.g., vaccination, hygiene, social distancing).
• The unique challenges pandemics pose to organizations (widespread absenteeism, supply chain breakdown, economic downturn).
• Lessons learned from recent global health crises for organizational preparedness.

Module 2: Organizational Impact Assessment for Pandemics

• Identifying critical business functions and processes vulnerable to pandemic-related disruptions.
• Assessing the potential impact of workforce absenteeism (e.g., 25%, 50% loss) on operations.
• Evaluating the impact on supply chains (raw materials, components, distribution).
• Analyzing financial, reputational, and compliance impacts specific to pandemics.
• Quantifying recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs) under pandemic conditions.

Module 3: Pandemic Preparedness Plan (PPP) Framework

• Components and structure of a comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness Plan.
• Integrating the PPP with existing Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and Crisis Management Plans.
• Defining clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making authority for pandemic response.
• Establishing a dedicated Pandemic Response Team (PRT) and its mandate.
• Developing a clear policy statement on pandemic preparedness and response.

Module 4: Workforce Protection & Employee Health

• Implementing infection control measures: hygiene protocols, cleaning, ventilation.
• Developing guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and availability.
• Policies for employee health monitoring, sick leave, and return-to-work protocols.
• Strategies for maintaining employee well-being and mental health during prolonged outbreaks.
• Addressing employee travel policies and international health advisories.

Module 5: Remote Work & Alternative Work Models

• Strategies for enabling and scaling remote work capabilities (technology, infrastructure, security).
• Developing policies and procedures for effective remote collaboration and management.
• Ensuring cybersecurity for remote access and data protection.
• Planning for phased return-to-office strategies and hybrid work models.
• Addressing legal and HR considerations for remote work arrangements during a pandemic.

Module 6: Critical Business Function Continuity

• Prioritizing essential services and critical functions that must continue during a pandemic.
• Developing contingency plans for maintaining minimum essential operations with reduced staff.
• Cross-training employees for critical roles and multi-skilling.
• Implementing automation or process re-engineering to reduce reliance on human intervention.
• Strategies for delivering services remotely or through alternative channels.

Module 7: Supply Chain Resilience for Pandemics

• Identifying critical suppliers and supply chain nodes vulnerable to pandemic disruptions.
• Strategies for diversifying supply sources and building inventory buffers.
• Developing alternative logistics and distribution plans in case of transportation restrictions.
• Collaborating with suppliers to understand their pandemic preparedness plans.
• Addressing ethical sourcing and fair practices during global health crises.

Module 8: Crisis Communication & Public Health Liaison

• Developing a comprehensive communication strategy for internal and external stakeholders during a pandemic.
• Crafting clear, consistent, and empathetic messages about health, safety, and operational changes.
• Establishing a dedicated crisis communication team and spokesperson.
• Liaising with public health authorities (e.g., Ministry of Health, WHO, CDC) for guidance and updates.
• Managing misinformation and rumors on social media and traditional media.

Module 9: Legal, Regulatory & Ethical Considerations

• Understanding relevant public health laws and emergency declarations affecting operations (e.g., local regulations in Kenya).
• Addressing employee rights, privacy concerns (e.g., contact tracing), and non-discrimination.
• Reviewing insurance coverage for pandemic-related losses and liabilities.
• Ethical dilemmas in resource allocation and decision-making during severe outbreaks.
• Compliance requirements for health and safety regulations during a public health emergency.

Module 10: Testing, Maintenance & Post-Pandemic Review

• Developing a testing and exercise program for the Pandemic Preparedness Plan (tabletop exercises, simulations).
• Establishing a maintenance schedule for the PPP, based on evolving health guidance and organizational changes.
• Conducting a thorough post-pandemic review: lessons learned, what worked, what didn't.
• Implementing corrective actions and updating plans for future preparedness.
• Embedding pandemic preparedness as a continuous process within the organization's overall resilience framework.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

• Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com