Sorry for the delay in addressing your comment.

I actually have fairly extensive knowledge of BCP’s and its many components. While for the larger institutions I’ve worked with/for over the years their needs may be a bit more extensive the majority of small and mid-sized institutions I typically work with are much better equipped to manage through a Pandemic event with minimal effort. And while I’ve had plans I’ve designed used to effectively manage through a variety of disruptions I’ve been fortunate that no one has had to activate the pandemic component. Just the same I’m confidant that what I’ve designed would work because it’s based on equal parts common sense and experience and adjusted to fit the size and complexity of the institution.

Tell me how comprehensive of a pandemic plan a four branch bank should have? They know what critical services need to be staffed and by whom, know how to communicate effectively with their customers and have successfully tested to make certain that all staff have ready access to the plan – what more should they test?

David Schneier

What you are suggesting to your clients “annual pandemic test should consist primarily of making sure that the surgical masks and anti-bacterial soap are readily available.” is in no way a pandemic exercise “test”. A test would normally be done through a well executed a thoroughly planned tabletop. Masks and soap would not be sufficient for a highly deadly pandemic. Look into the 1918 influenza pandemic of H5N1 Avian flu.

As a planner that mobilized a pandemic plan during the H1N1 outbreak in Mexico city when the city was shut down, there is much more to pandemic planning and testing than you seem to realize.