Incident Management Plan: Aims, objectives, scope and purpose of Plan

Aim

1.1 This Incident Management Plan (IMP) sets out the framework for the FSA’s response to non-routine incidents, crisis and emergencies. The IMP defines the FSA’s response arrangements  to a non-routine incident where the FSA takes responsibility, either by statutory requirement (as set out in the Food Law Code of Practice); and/or in its role of Lead Government Department (LGD), following an actual or potential threat to the safety, quality or integrity of food and/or animal feed; or as a supporting department.

1.2 The strategic and tactical command structures and the key principles as set out in this plan will be followed for other incidents, crisis and emergencies events, including those that fall outside of our remit, but that may require the FSA’s strategic and tactical measures to aid the FSA response and / or recovery of that emergency event. For example, a business continuity incident; a non-routine policy or trade issue, or other events that have the potential to disrupt our business or a pandemic (where for example a 2-fold response is required; food safety advice and the management of the FSA’s own response).

Objectives

1.3 This plan provides a framework to meet the following objectives:

• ensure robust command and control procedures are in place that align to UK’s Concept of Operations (CONOPs).
• ensure effective communication across all stakeholders, strategic and tactical responses are consistent and co-ordinated.
• escalation and de-escalation mechanisms and criteria are clearly defined.
• the ability to determine the key stakeholders (internal and external) and resources required to prepare, respond and recover from an effective response.

Scope and purpose of Plan

1.4 This plan summarises key activities to be undertaken during the FSA’s response to a non-routine incident or emergency. The plan sets out the strategic and tactical command and control structure and procedures for responding to and managing food and/or feed safety incidents, as well as other crisis management issues. These may include an animal disease outbreak or business continuity event that impacts on the delivering of our business or fall outside of the FSA’s remit but may still require a tactical and/or strategic response. These are followed by all FSA offices across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland

1.5 The detailed processes which support this IMP are set out in a series of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and guidance.

1.6 Routine incidents and outbreaks are not within the scope of this plan. They are dealt with using the FSA’s internal Routine Incident Management Plan and current communicable disease outbreak management guidance. The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) ^{(footnote 1)}  is responsible for health protection operations as part of its remit.  is responsible for health protection operations as part of its remit.

1.7 A memorandum of understanding with Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is in place to ensure liaison arrangements continue to deliver a co-ordinated incident handling response across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The Food Standards Scotland Incident Management Framework defines how FSS led incidents are managed. This document will be used should FSS lead a non-routine food/feed incident.