V.ISC.2040 - FMD Crisis Simulation

Summary

The purpose of this project is to conduct a crisis response simulation for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) to test the roles and responsibilities of ISC and MLA during an emergency animal disease (EAD), the communication channels with industry and government (including SAFEMEAT), and to identify any gaps or weaknesses that should be addressed within ISC, MLA or external crisis response plans to ensure any potential risks related to a successful response, are mitigated in advance.

Objectives

• Conduct a review of relevant crisis response plans (e.g. MLA, ISC, SAFEMEAT Incident Response Plan, AUSVETPLAN, etc.) to assess the roles, responsibilities, connections and communication channels for MLA and ISC in the event of an FMD outbreak in Australia.
• ​Develop a presentation for the MLA Leadership Team to highlight internal and external connections between response plans to help MLA and ISC identify areas to test and parties to be involved within the simulation.
• Prepare the simulation scenario and associated materials to be used as inputs into the simulation.
• Conduct the FMD simulation and capture key gaps, risks and opportunities for improvement through a ‘Simulation findings’ summary report.

Key findings

• Develop an Annex to the existing ISC and MLA Crisis Management Plan that describes the hazard, risks and incident management arrangements for an MLA/ISC EAD response.
• Enhance awareness of incident management and the Australasian Inter-Service Incident Management System.
• Develop a 24/7 incident management capability with a hotline.
• Confirm incident response resource requirements.
• Confirm C3 arrangements and IMT structure.

Benefits to industry

This project will help to ensure that in the event of an Emergency Animal Disease response, MLA and ISC have in place tested systems, processes and risk mitigation strategies to support the respective roles of each organisation, and that there is clarity around roles, responsibilities and communication channels.

MLA action

MLA should continue to keep informed on relevant disease risks in the red meat industry and as required, conduct future simulations to ensure success in the event of a threat response.