OVERVIEW:

In 2007, SAIT identified the need to develop a business continuity plan (BCP) in response to a potential pandemic influenza outbreak in Alberta. Administrative and operational areas critical to SAIT’s ability to meet its mandate were identified and relevant business processes were mapped. A BCP was then developed to help SAIT respond to such a situation, mitigate risk and enable the institution to function to the highest level possible throughout such an outbreak.

PURPOSE:

SAIT’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a practical, user-friendly document that provides guidelines and prepares SAIT to be able to function through each stage of a potential pandemic outbreak. The BCP helps SAIT deal with issues – infrastructure, resources, personnel or other, before or as they occur. It also examines how the organization can be reduced to core critical functions during the crisis allowing for a controlled slowdown, if required, as well as a rapid return to full functional capability once the issue passes. While no business continuity plan will survive any crisis intact, SAIT’s BCP will help the institution respond effectively to a potential contagious illness outbreak and help minimize the impact on the institution, its students and staff.

HOW SAIT’S PLAN WILL BE USED:

SAIT’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) contains a Decision Escalation Process chart, which outlines the steps SAIT will take at each stage of a pandemic or contagious illness.

The chart breaks up a potential pandemic into eight phases from monitoring for possible outbreaks anywhere in the world, to the pandemic’s arrival in Canada and eventual spread to Calgary, to its impact to SAIT and through to an eventual return to normal business, and outlines the actions SAIT will take at each phase of the pandemic.

SAIT’s Executive Committee comprised of the President and Vice Presidents is responsible for deciding when to move SAIT to the next Health Alert Phase in response to a developing health safety situation. This committee takes effect once Health Alert Phase 3 is reached.

SAIT has also established a Crisis Steering Committee (CSC) which is responsible for supporting the senior Executive in overseeing SAIT’s response to a developing health safety situation by gathering information on the situation as it unfolds and making recommendations on how best to react to it.

The CSC is comprised of the Health, Safety and Wellness Manager, Corporate Communications Director, Facilities Management Director, Chief of Security, Director of Employee Services, Student Services Director, Information Systems Director and Director of Finance.