Bridging the Gap between Safety Management and Crisis

Crises of any form overwhelm affected organisations. The list of affected companies, however, is always dynamic, often increasing apace as the effects of a major safety and security event or emergency cascade out from the initial point of impact.

Such was the case with the 15 March 2019 Christchurch shootings at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre. The targeted mass shooting quickly became a major safety and security event for organisations outside of the immediate perimeter of the incidents, specifically Christchurch Hospital.

A mere two kilometres from Al Noor Mosque, Christchurch Hospital was only separated from the scene of the first shooting by Hagley Park, a large urban space. So close to the incident was the Hospital that witnesses of the shooting actually ran across the Park to warn Hospital staff to expect an influx in victims.