Emergency Response Planning: Professional 5-Day Training Course

Course Overview

This critical Emergency Response Planning training program delivers comprehensive expertise for HSE and operations professionals across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Oman, GCC countries (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain), and Africa. The course covers emergency preparedness, incident command systems, crisis management, evacuation planning, and business continuity essential for protecting personnel, assets, environment, and reputation in oil & gas, petrochemical, mining, and industrial facilities.

This training addresses vital competencies for professionals at Saudi Aramco, SABIC, PDO, ADNOC, Ma’aden, Qatar Energy, Dangote, complying with Saudi Civil Defense regulations, OSHAD (Abu Dhabi), NFPA standards, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 industrial safety excellence and regional operational resilience.

Target Audience

• HSE Managers developing emergency response programs

• Emergency Response Coordinators managing incident teams

• Operations Managers ensuring facility preparedness

• Safety Engineers designing emergency systems

• Security Managers coordinating crisis management

• Plant Managers responsible for site emergency preparedness

Day 1: Emergency Response Fundamentals & Planning

Morning Session: Emergency Response Principles

• Emergency types: fires, explosions, toxic releases, spills, natural disasters, security threats

• Regulatory framework: Saudi Civil Defense Law, MOMRA, Aramco SAEP, Oman regulations, OSHAD

• International standards: NFPA 1600, ISO 22320, API RP 750, OSHA 1910.38

• Response hierarchy: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery

• Risk assessment: identifying credible scenarios for refineries, petrochemicals

• Consequence analysis: impact radius, population exposure, environmental damage

• Regional considerations: extreme heat (50°C+), sandstorms, remote GCC locations

Afternoon Session: Emergency Response Plans (ERP)

• ERP structure: scope, assumptions, operations, organizational roles, resources

• Plan levels: site, corporate, mutual aid, government coordination

• Hazard-specific plans: fire, explosion, toxic release, spill, medical, security

• Emergency classification: Level 1 (minor), Level 2 (moderate), Level 3 (major)

• Activation criteria: triggers and escalation procedures

• Notification procedures: internal alerts, external agencies (Civil Defense, MOMRA)

• Command structure: Incident Commander, Emergency Response Team, support functions

• Communication protocols: primary/backup systems, emergency contacts

• Resource inventory: firefighting, PPE, medical supplies, spill response

• Workshop: ERP template customization for industrial facility

Day 2: Incident Command System & Crisis Management

Morning Session: Incident Command System (ICS)

• ICS principles: common terminology, modular organization, manageable span of control

• Command structure: single vs. unified command for multi-agency incidents

• ICS positions: Incident Commander, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance sections

• Safety Officer: monitoring hazards, authority to stop unsafe operations

• Liaison Officer: coordinating Civil Defense, MOMRA, regulators

• Public Information Officer: media relations, public communications

• ICS forms: standardized documentation (ICS 201-225), situation reports

• Incident Action Plans: operational objectives, tactics, organization

• Transfer of command: seamless transition, briefing procedures

• Practical exercise: ICS structure for refinery fire scenario

Afternoon Session: Crisis Management

• Crisis Management Team (CMT): CEO/GM, Operations, HSE, Legal, Communications

• Crisis room setup: dedicated facility, communication systems, displays

• Decision-making: OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) under pressure

• Stakeholder communications: employees, media, government, community, investors

• Media relations: spokesperson, message discipline, press conferences

• Social media management: monitoring, responding, combating misinformation

• Business continuity: maintaining critical operations, alternative arrangements

• Post-crisis: investigation, corrective actions, reputation recovery

• Case studies: Aramco Abqaiq 2019, Buncefield, Deepwater Horizon

Day 3: Emergency Response Operations

Morning Session: Fire & HAZMAT Response

• Fire classifications: A, B, C, D, K and appropriate suppression methods

• Firefighting strategies: offensive vs. defensive, foam systems (AFFF, AR-AFFF)

• Fixed systems: water deluge, foam, sprinklers for refineries/petrochemicals

• Fire brigade organization: attack teams, backup, water supply, mutual aid

• Zone control: hot, warm, cold zones, access restrictions

• HAZMAT identification: placards, labels, SDS, monitoring equipment

• PPE selection: Levels A, B, C, D based on hazard assessment

• Spill containment: booms, berms, absorbents, preventing environmental damage

• Gas releases: H2S, chlorine, ammonia dispersion modeling

Afternoon Session: Medical Emergency & Evacuation

• Triage: START method, color-coding (red, yellow, green, black)

• Mass casualty incident (MCI): overwhelming resources, prioritization

• Chemical exposures: decontamination, antidotes, specific treatments

• Heat-related illness management in 45-50°C GCC temperatures

• Evacuation types: immediate, precautionary, shelter-in-place

• Alarm systems: audible, visual, PA announcements

• Assembly points: safe distances (150m minimum), upwind, capacity

• Mustering: roll call, accountability systems, contractor/visitor tracking

• Offshore evacuation: lifeboats, helicopter, relevant for Aramco/ADNOC platforms

• Workshop: Evacuation drill design for petrochemical facility

Day 4: Training, Drills & External Coordination

Morning Session: Emergency Training & Drills

• Training requirements: Saudi Civil Defense, OSHAD, role-specific competencies

• Training levels: awareness (all), operations (responders), technician, specialist

• Drill types: tabletop, functional, full-scale exercises

• Drill frequency: quarterly tabletop, semi-annual functional, annual full-scale

• Scenario development: realistic, challenging, testing multiple capabilities

• Controller/evaluator roles: observing, documenting, evaluating performance

• After-action reviews (AAR): identifying strengths/weaknesses, improvement plans

• Competency-based training: performance standards, skill verification

• Regional facilities: Aramco Training Center, ADNOC Technical Institute

Afternoon Session: External Agency Coordination

• Civil Defense coordination: Saudi Civil Defense, Oman, UAE authorities

• Regulatory interfaces: MOMRA, MEWA, Coast Guard for marine spills

• Mutual aid agreements: neighboring facilities, industrial cities (Jubail, Yanbu, Sohar, Ruwais)

• Hospital coordination: patient transport, capacity notifications, ambulance services

• Government liaison: emergency operations centers, unified command

• Community relations: public warnings, evacuations, information dissemination

• International assistance: OSRL (Oil Spill Response Limited), Clean Gulf Associates

• Communication systems: radio frequencies, satellite phones, joint operations

• Workshop: Multi-agency response tabletop exercise

Day 5: Business Continuity & Continuous Improvement

Morning Session: Business Continuity Planning (BCP)

• BCP integration: maintaining operations during/after emergencies

• Business impact analysis: critical functions, recovery time objectives

• Recovery priorities: personnel safety, environment, assets, production

• Alternative arrangements: backup suppliers, alternate sites, flexible operations

• IT/data recovery: backup systems, cybersecurity during crisis

• Supply chain resilience: redundancy, diversification strategies

• Financial preparedness: emergency funds, insurance (business interruption, property, liability)

• Pandemic planning: infectious disease protocols, remote work, quarantine

• Testing BCP: simulations, integration with emergency drills

Afternoon Session: Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Emergency response KPIs: response time, drill participation, equipment readiness

• Incident metrics: frequency, severity, near-misses, effectiveness

• Regulatory compliance: inspections, findings, corrective actions

• Technology integration: mass notification, drones, GIS mapping, emergency apps

• Predictive analytics: weather monitoring, threat intelligence, early warnings

• Lessons learned: capturing knowledge from drills and actual incidents

• Industry sharing: GCC Industrial Safety conferences, regional forums

• Benchmarking: comparing against industry standards, peer facilities

• Management review: periodic ERP updates, resource allocation

• Final workshop: Comprehensive emergency plan review and improvement exercise

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Develop comprehensive Emergency Response Plans compliant with GCC regulations

• Implement Incident Command System for effective coordination

• Manage crisis situations protecting people, assets, reputation

• Coordinate fire, HAZMAT, medical emergency operations

• Plan and execute evacuation ensuring personnel accountability

• Design emergency drills testing preparedness and improvements

• Integrate business continuity with emergency response

• Coordinate with external agencies (Civil Defense, regulators, mutual aid)

Course Delivery & Certification

• Format: Lectures, case studies, tabletop exercises, simulations, workshops

• Materials: Manual, plan templates, drill scenarios, checklists, regulatory references

• Certification: Professional certificate recognized across KSA, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Africa

• Language: English (Arabic support available)

• CPD Credits: HSE professional development recognition

• Locations: Riyadh, Dhahran, Jubail (KSA), Muscat (Oman), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Lagos, Cairo

Why This Course is Mission-Critical

GCC industrial facilities face diverse threats: fires, explosions, toxic releases, extreme weather, security incidents. The 2019 Aramco Abqaiq attack demonstrated vulnerability. Regulatory enforcement intensifying across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman. Effective emergency response prevents fatalities, reduces environmental damage, protects billions in assets. Poor response generates massive liability, regulatory penalties, production losses exceeding $10-100 million per major incident.

This training delivers actionable expertise incorporating international best practices, Saudi Aramco emergency management, NFPA/API standards, addressing extreme heat, remote locations, multi-lingual workforces, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 world-class safety performance and operational resilience.

Prepare thoroughly. Respond effectively. Protect lives and assets.