Preparedness & Response
In today’s complex and dynamic industrial landscape, the establishment of robust preparedness and emergency response plans plays a pivotal role in safeguarding lives, protecting property, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining business continuity. By understanding potential emergencies, facilities can proactively implement measures to reduce the impact and severity of these events. A well-prepared plan not only equips personnel with the knowledge to respond quickly and effectively but also minimizes the risk of injury or loss of life. Fortify your organization’s resilience and enhance its preparedness against contingencies. Our comprehensive range of services addresses risk identification, thorough risk analysis, and the development of strategic approaches to mitigate and prepare for residual risks.
AcuTech is committed to assisting companies with safety and security needs, environmental compliance, business continuity, resilience, and all critical facets of risk management. Upholding international and national standards as guiding principles for responsible companies, AcuTech offers a unique perspective grounded in decades of expertise in industrial process safety and security.
AcuTech’s unparalleled background in emergency management includes supporting industry and government entities at various levels. We are well-versed in the latest emergency management and homeland security standards, including the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Recognizing the diverse needs of government stakeholders, we have successfully developed emergency response plans according to FERC guidance for LNG facilities. Additionally, we have conducted incident command system training and facilitated numerous tabletop and full-scale exercises for LNG export terminals. AcuTech’s unique background encompasses emergency response planning, evacuation planning, COOP planning, business continuity planning, crisis management, chemical process safety, design, operations, inherent safety, fire protection, risk management, and security.
Our emphasis on management systems and the fostering of an organization’s culture as instrumental tools for controlling process risks sets us apart. AcuTech collaborates with organizations in nurturing a robust risk management culture, guided by our extensive experience in emergency management and response plan development. Partner with AcuTech for practical, cost-effective solutions to manage your operational risks through our extensive training and consulting services covering a spectrum of planning and response areas.
- Business Continuity Plan Development
- Continuity of Operations
- Crisis Management
- Emergency Response Planning
- NIMS/ICS Planning
- Management Systems Auditing
- Security Management Systems
- Combustible Dust Management System Support
- NFPA 652 Management System Audit Protocol
- Operational Management System (OMS)
- LNG & Maritime Emergency Response Planning
- Emergency Response Plan Development
- Emergency Management Systems
- Integrated Emergency Management Planning
- Emergency Response & Recover
- Testing and exercising preparedness and emergency response plans to comply with legal requirements
AcuTech’s consultants are well versed in codes and standards developed by industry bodies and will refer to these as well as each client’s local jurisdiction codes and standards. A sampling of the relevant codes and standards can be found below.
- NFPA 1600: Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity/Continuity of Operations Programs (NFPA): Published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 1600 provides guidelines for developing, implementing, assessing, and maintaining disaster management and business continuity programs.
- ISO 22301: Societal security – Business continuity management systems (ISO): This international standard outlines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a business continuity management system. It is applicable to organizations of all sizes and industries.
- API RP 750: Management of Process Hazards (API): The American Petroleum Institute (API) publishes this Recommended Practice (RP) that provides guidance on the management of process hazards during the design, operation, and maintenance of petroleum refineries and chemical plants.
- OSHA 1910.119: Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (OSHA): The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard outlines requirements for the management of highly hazardous chemicals, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive process safety management program.
- ANSI/AIChE CCPS Guidelines: The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) provides guidelines and publications that offer industry-specific guidance on process safety, risk assessment, and emergency planning.
- DHS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS): Developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CFATS establishes risk-based performance standards for the security of high-risk chemical facilities to prevent and respond to potential terrorist attacks.
- Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP): EMAP provides a set of standards for emergency management programs, encouraging continuous improvement and best practices. It covers various aspects, including planning, resource management, and coordination during emergencies.
- NIMS (National Incident Management System) and ICS (Incident Command System): While not standards in the traditional sense, NIMS and ICS are widely adopted in emergency response planning in the United States. They provide a standardized framework for effective incident management, ensuring coordination and compatibility among different organizations.
- ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines (ISO): This international standard provides principles and guidelines for effective risk management, which is crucial in the preparedness and response phases of process industries.
AcuTech consultants have contributed to the following standards, codes, and programs.
- Lead Authors of CCPS Guidelines for Auditing Process Safety Management Systems
- AcuTech developed emergency management plans for federal (PSM, RMP), state (CalARP, WI- SHA, TCPA) and local (Contra Costa County) regulatory programs for handling hazardous materials.