World Health Organization Escalates Influenza Pandemic Alert to Phase 5

Dear colleagues -

I am issuing this special edition of EPSScentral's .infoREADER because the World Health Organization (WHO) escalated the influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5 on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. According to the WHO, Phase 5 "...is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short."

As a world leader in ensuring organizational competency and performance, EPSScentral began addressing business continuity issues associated with influenza following the SARS and Avian Flu outbreaks over the past couple of years. Together with pandemic planning experts and technology partners, we applied performance-centered design to create a best-practice solution that helps organizations address the crisis, expediently and responsibly. In the face of the WHO's stated concern, I feel that it is socially responsible to communicate our offering in detail at this time.

EPSScentral's pandemic planning solution includes:

• A comprehensive baseline pandemic contingency plan, with content and guidance developed by the sharpest minds in pandemic planning.
• A set of templates and tools to quickly foster customization of the baseline pandemic plan for your organization, including repurposing existing pandemic plan content, especially for current and impending WHO phases.
• A set of performance-centered resources to accelerate your organization's ability to customize and launch your plan using the rapid development tools.
• Access to additional expert knowledge, real-time, as your pandemic plan and the Influenza A (aka H1N1, Swine Flu) scenario evolve.

The materials follow a best-practice knowledge map that includes background, agency contact details, governance, communications, infection preventions, human resources, business planning and situation monitoring. In the face of Influenza A or future pandemics, each organization must strike a balance that addresses health and human safety while maintaining business continuity. The combination of expert knowledge, methodical approach, and usability of these materials will truly help your organization to achieve this balance.

A sample of the baseline plan structure can be viewed at http://pandemic.epssnews.com.

I also encourage you to review a broadcast from the President of Pandemic 101, the key partner who provided the expertise and thought-leadership in our Influenza A pandemic plan offering. He is regarded as a top expert, including by the President of Mexico: http://watch.bnn.ca/#clip165934.

I first communicated this offering to a few trusted friends, partners and business associates. I was immediately encouraged to get the word out. I am confident that this application of our core competencies to the Influenza A crisis will provide value, especially in these times of economic challenges. So please contact us for further details on our offering, which includes: A baseline, easily customizable pandemic contingency plan; a set of templates and tools for rapid localization and deployment; resources to jump-start customization; and access to additional expert knowledge as the Influenza A (aka H1N1, Swine Flu) or other pandemic scenarios evolve.

Sincerely,
 
Gary J. Dickelman
President & CEO, EPSScentral LLC