Adequate planning and execution can help protect life and property during times of civil unrest.

Civil unrest can develop for various reasons, so you need to be prepared and equipped to respond when it occurs. Identifying needs, gathering resources, training and communicating are core pillars of your response plan and should be ongoing. Consider these steps to assist you in your preparations.

Planning

Steps for Pre-Planning

Establish a Team

The first step to take in pre-planning is to establish a team of representatives from all public agencies impacted. Examples include the following:

This is a critical step because it involves experts from every department who understand how their departments operate and can identify needs and interdepartmental dependencies. It is important that these agencies come together in a structured and organized way that establishes a collaborative process for the agencies to work together and support each other.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has established the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as a readily available system to do just that. NIMS provides a systematic way to plan for civil unrest and to establish an Incident Command System (ICS), which organizes all efforts into one response. FEMA also provides NIMS training and education courses.

Establish Mutual Aid Agreements

Mutual Aid Agreements are formal arrangements between two or more agencies that outline mutually beneficial actions to be taken by each agency during an emergency response. Typically, Mutual Aid Agreements are established when one or more agencies lack resources that another agency has, enabling the participating agencies to share those resources as needed for effective response.

Mutual Aid Agreements should be documented in writing and signed by representatives from all participating agencies. These agreements also need to be reviewed on an annual basis, or whenever significant changes occur within any of the participating agencies.

Gather Resources

Identify all resources needed for the response, record them, and then plan to gather as many of the resources as possible and store them in secure facilities. Examples of these resources include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
• Tools;
• Emergency lighting;
• Portable fencing;
• Barriers; and
• Signs.

Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Standard Operating Procedures are essential for establishing clear and consistent means of carrying out specific tasks. This is important in emergency response situations because several agencies are working simultaneously and consistency is key to ensuring everyone's safety.

Examples of SOPs for Safety

• Formal Evacuation Plans
• Updated Personnel Contact Information
• Crises Management Plans
• Building/Operations Closures
• Severe Weather Protocols

Examples of SOPs for Property Protection

• Create building closure/shutdown checklists to be followed.
• Help prevent unauthorized access with fencing around the property.
• Establish a procedure for obstructing visibility into the building.
• Create a procedure for securing valuable data and property.
• Develop a procedure for installing adequate lighting and surveillance cameras for the night.
• Set special directives for security and/or law enforcement personnel.
• Implement a procedure for posting signage prohibiting unauthorized access.
• Establish a procedure for installing property telematics.

Establish Interagency Communications

Breakdowns in communication between agencies have often been identified as factors that increase the severity of major disasters. Poor communication significantly increases the risks to employees, buildings and the public.

It is not enough to plan for communications; it is also crucial to ensure that effective methods of communication are in place. Agencies should confirm that all parties have access to common radio channels and determine whether specific channels are assigned to designated teams or operations. It is also essential that every agency understands how to communicate effectively with one another.

Training

Tips for Adequate Training

Training Frequency

Training is a critical part of successfully executing your plans. Without proper training and practice, response personnel may lack clarity regarding their responsibilities, procedures or the timing required for critical tasks. At a minimum, training should be provided in the following instances: 

• When new personnel are hired;
• Anytime there are changes to agencies or pre-plans; and
• At regular intervals to maintain unconscious competence thereafter.

Exercises

Classroom training and discussion are not enough to establish competency in response operations. Personnel must also complete practical exercises and demonstrate their skills. Examples of these exercises include:

• Tabletop sessions;
• Crisis simulations;
• Mock civil unrest activities; and
• Demonstrations on the use of equipment and PPE.

These exercises are critical in maintaining unconscious competence over time.

Post-Critiques

It is important for teams/agencies to regroup after exercises or actual events to discuss what went well and what could be improved. This is valuable information in determining whether any adjustments should be made to your pre-planning efforts. Perhaps it did not go the way you thought it would when pre-planning. Now is your chance to make changes before it’s too late. Encourage open and honest constructive criticisms.

Media Relations

Like it or not, a story is going to be told, and someone from your agency should be telling that story. Therefore, you should consider media relations in your overall response plan.

Establish a Public Information Officer (PIO)

Designate a PIO to ensure clear and consistent messaging. The PIO should be the only individual  authorized to communicate with the media on behalf of your agency. Make sure media sources know who the PIO is and provide them with their contact information.

Conduct Press Releases

This is required if you want to ensure correct information is being released. Hold press releases often and be clear in communicating when the next press release will be. Stick with the facts and avoid opinion or premature conclusions. Hold press releases in areas where background noise is at a minimum.

Social Media

Social media can be an effective channel for disseminating timely updates. Assign a designated account owner for each social media platform utilized by your agency. Ensure you maintain these accounts with updated information about your agency.