ART - Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Guide 2006

The document is a Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Guide for Pandemic Influenza, specifically aimed at critical infrastructure and key resources. It was published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on September 19, 2006. The guide is designed to assist businesses in developing and executing their essential pandemic contingency plans and preparedness actions. It provides an overview of the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of private sector businesses in relation to critical infrastructure and key resources. It also explains the importance of pandemic influenza planning for businesses and provides information on the national and international context of pandemics. The document highlights the potential implications of a pandemic on businesses and emphasizes the need for continuity of operations planning. It introduces the concept of a Continuity of Operations Plan-Essential (COP-E) and outlines the planning process for businesses to develop and implement such a plan. The guide also emphasizes the importance of partnerships and information sharing between the public and private sectors in pandemic preparedness and response. Additionally, the document provides guidance on public and media relations during a pandemic, including communicating with the public, employees, and the media. It concludes with annexes and appendices that contain sector-specific checklists, roles and responsibilities, pandemic scenarios, COP-E templates, and web links for further reference. Overall, the guide aims to stimulate action among the private sector business community to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a pandemic, and to complement and enhance existing private sector contingency planning efforts. It emphasizes the need for businesses to expand upon their traditional notions of continuity of operations and to account for the unique challenges posed by a severe pandemic influenza.