Best Practice Guidelines

The best practice guidelines below have been provided APEC member economies and include practical materials that will help you prepare for, and respond to an emergency pest or disease outbreak such as avian influenza.

National Communications Arrangements

Communications Networks

Australia's National Communication Network PDF [781kb]
This paper outlines the national communication arrangements that are in place in Australia to respond to an emergency pest or disease outbreak. 

Response Plans and Checklists

The Top Ten Word [42kb]
This paper outlines the major things to consider when communicating during a crisis.

Training Manual for Media Workshops on Avian Influenza PDF [1.7mb]

Put together by Internews and funded by UNICEF, the manual will help trainers design and conduct media workshops on avian influenza. The manual also includes the basic resources that media need when trying to promote awareness and discussion about the virus.

Know 'who' does 'what'

DAFF has a proven set of minimum standards for responding to any critical agricultural incident.  These standards form the Critical Incident Response Plan (CIRP).  In short these include:

  • the Department working as a team
  • all hazards approach - one system for all incidents
  • information management - keeping those who need to know, in the know
  • accountability – justification for our actions and decisions
  • efficiency – the application of the right amount of resources.

The CIRP consists of:

  • the Plan
  • job cards
  • procedures
  • checklists, forms and templates

Examples of CIRP's communications job cards can be downloaded below:
Critical Incident Response Plan (CIRP) - Job Cards   Word [194kb]

Checklists

Communications Crisis Checklist   Word [32kb]
This checklist outlines the important things to consider before, during and after an event.