BUSINESS
RESUMPTION
PLAN
ATLANTA
2015
Bringing the World to Atlanta
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1Business Resumption Definition 3
2Business Resumption Objective 3
3Communication Strategy for Members 4
4Suggestions for Developing a Plan 6
How do we assess the severity of the incident or emergency and prioritize our actions? 6
2Disclaimer 7
The information set forth above is intended to represent voluntary recommended guidelines for members of AIFBA and other interested parties to follow in the event of a significant disruption of business and normal trade processing flows at the Port of Atlanta due to emergency occurrences. AIFBA recognizes that not all of these procedures can be utilized by all stakeholders and that different circumstances may result in different procedures and outcomes for individual entities. AIFBA expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability for any business disruption and/or loss resulting directly or indirectly from implementation of these recommended guidelines, communications (or any variation thereof) by any AIFBA member or other entity that voluntarily chooses to rely on them. All persons and entities affected by these recommended guidelines are wholly the responsible for their own business resumption success. 7
1Business Resumption Definition
Activities required to maintain or return the Port of Atlanta to a state of normalcy during and after a significant incident or severe emergency situation that disrupts the flow of trade. The incident or emergency could be a natural disaster (flood, hurricane, earthquake, blizzard, fire) or manmade event (terrorist attack, significant infrastructure failure, hazmat spill) and any other disruption to the normal flow of trade.
2Business Resumption Objective
The objective is to establish communication procedures to aid stakeholders in the development and execution of their own business resumption plan during severe emergency situations. The plan also serves as a voluntary guide to members of the Atlanta International Forwarders and Brokers Association (AIFBA) who will work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as other government agencies, state agencies, foreign Customs agencies (as applicable), and other members of the Trade Community to restore cargo processing during a local crisis situation at the Port of Atlanta. For purposes of this document, we will utilize the following designations for the various parties who may be part of the plan:
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U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
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Local Trade Associations (LTA)
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Partner Government Agencies (including state, federal and local government) (PGA)
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Trade Community (Customs Brokers, Port Authorities, Port Terminal Operators, Carriers, Warehouses, CES Exam Stations, Trucking, Couriers, and other parties involved in the international transaction). This category may include TC partners located outside the port area. (TC)
The AIFBA recommends that all stakeholders develop or review their own Business Resumption Plan using this Plan as a voluntary set of guidelines to identify gaps within current plans and procedures and to provide solutions and evaluation based on each stakeholder’s own business circumstances and limitations.
In addition to providing these voluntary guidelines to our Members, LTA’s, and other interested parties, the primary role of the AIFBA will be to notify all Stakeholders of critical information necessary to achieving the resumption of Port business as stated above. This communication may be provided by any or all of the parties referenced above and disseminated via a communication tree established by the AIFBA for this purpose (see Attachment A).
CBP and PGA are required to have a workable Business Resumption Plan per National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) and this local communication plan is intended to complement these existing Plans.
3Communication Strategy for Members
3.1Notification of Stakeholders -
A primary and secondary point of contact (POC) has been established within the AIFBA to receive communication from CBP, PGA, and other TC Stakeholders following a disruption at the Port of Atlanta due to critical incident or severe emergency. The POC will also handle inquiries from the trade, public, and other interested parties. This information may be received via conventional or alternative communication channels including but not limited to:
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Land lines
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Mobile phones
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Email
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Posted notices
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CSMS Messaging
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Text messages
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Social Media
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Facsimile
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Couriers
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Local media
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The AIFBA requests Stakeholders desiring to be included in this notification ensure the contact information provided to the Association is complete and up-to-date. This database will be the primary source of contact information for any notification sent from the Association.
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Once received, the POC will disseminate pertinent information to all participants in the Notification database via the best channel available at the time that notification of an occurrence is needed.
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The POC will continue to provide timely status updates and notice of alternative processing locations and contacts.
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It is solely the responsibility of the Members to share this information with their employees, vendors, and customers as required.
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This plan and all information herein shall be reviewed as often as required but no less than every six (6) months beginning July 2015 . Responsibility for this review and update will reside with the Chair and/or Co-chair of the Business Resumption Planning Committee.
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Procedures
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The electronic contact database will be maintained by the AIFBA based on information provided by the stakeholders. Access will only be given to the primary and secondary POC as well as the Chair and Co-chair of the Business Resumption committee.
4Suggestions for Developing a Plan
The AIFBA recommends that all Stakeholders review or develop their own comprehensive Business Resumption Plan that establishes processes and actions to be taken by you and your employees in the event of a significant incident or severe emergency situation.
You should consider two main elements when developing your plan:
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Communication
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Notification, Response, and Recovery
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Do we have a written disaster communication plan and has it been shared with key stakeholders?
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Do we have a core communications/recovery team sufficiently staffed and trained to expedite business resumption in the event of a significant disruption of trade?
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Have we established an alternate communication and command center location in the event our primary business facilities are unusable?
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Have we requested and received emergency notification point of contact information from our key trade partners and have we developed and distributed this information to all required parties?
The items above are intended to be actions to consider as you develop your plan and are not intended to be a complete list.
4.2Notification, Response, and Recovery Plan – Things to Consider How do we assess the severity of the incident or emergency and prioritize our actions? -
Safety of personnel
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Safety, security and accessibility to our facilities
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Safety of cargo – are their Hazmat issues?
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Stakeholder communication
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Traffic re-routes and alternate ports
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How will we determine and prioritize immediate actions we should we take?
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What actions will we take to locate and ensure the safety of our employees?
Notification, Response, and Recovery Plan – Things to Consider (cont.) -
How can we identify what local, regional and/or national resources are available and required to expedite recovery?
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Emergency power
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Emergency medical equipment
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Basic supplies
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First Aid
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Food
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Water
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Temporary housing
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How do we determine which partner notifications have been made and by whom? What partners have not been contacted and why?
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Who do we contact to expedite processing/release of priority cargo already in Port?
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How will we locate and secure shipments in transit?
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What is our plan for business resumption once the port has been reopened?
The items above are intended to be actions to consider as you develop your plan and are not intended to be a complete list. Remember, you and your employees are responsible for you own business resumption success.
Disclaimer
The information set forth above is intended to represent voluntary recommended guidelines for members of AIFBA and other interested parties to follow in the event of a significant disruption of business and normal trade processing flows at the Port of Atlanta due to emergency occurrences. AIFBA recognizes that not all of these procedures can be utilized by all stakeholders and that different circumstances may result in different procedures and outcomes for individual entities. AIFBA expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability for any business disruption and/or loss resulting directly or indirectly from implementation of these recommended guidelines, communications (or any variation thereof) by any AIFBA member or other entity that voluntarily chooses to rely on them. All persons and entities affected by these recommended guidelines are wholly the responsible for their own business resumption success.
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