Invocation Procedures of Disaster Recovery

Alert mindedness and presence of mind is very essential during any disastrous condition. The following article is to throw some light on the procedures that are employed at high level during the first 24 hours following catastrophe incantation. This procedure is known as a “Warm” recovery service for the victims.

Soon after a disaster, well defined steps have to be taken to ensure that the business continues normally and also the victims are given immediate relief from the situation. The steps followed usually during the first 24 hours may be defined as follows


Initial Assessment: Immediately (T+0)

Following a disaster, it is very important to first assess the condition and the extent of harm incurred. This is done by specialized officials like Disaster coordinators who decide whether or not the Disaster Management Team is required to be summoned. The pertinent emergency service in the local area is to be informed first. The Disaster Management Team would act as the main command center for the emergency services. It may be some times necessary to pre-inform the Disaster Recovery service as a standby to save response time if its services are needed. 

The Management Team also needs to have detailed information along with telephone numbers and directions in the Business Continuity Plan.


Meeting of the Disaster Management Team: With in an hour (T+1)

If the need be, the available members of the Disaster Management Team may hold a meeting with in an hour of the disaster to document the plan which is to be agreed by even those members who aren’t available at the time of the meeting.

The Disaster Management Team would have to perform the following roles.

1. Define the main problem

2. Identify the extent of the disturbance

3. Establish the impact on the business.

4. Calculate approximately the outage length

5. Summon the Disaster Recovery service if germane.

6. Officially set up Disaster Command center

7. Agree with the objective of the team for the next 3hours

8. Give consent to formal verbal report for senior management and the staffing available at the given time.


Disaster Review Meeting: With in 2 hours (T+2)

At this stage the team should have the detailed understanding of the condition and should provide a written report to the senior management. By this time a temporary Disaster Command center would be set up and the essential staff members are mobilized.