Story Institute Acting School

Critical Incident and Crisis Management Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Next Review Date: January 1, 2027
Approved By: Michael Coleman – President | CEO

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Story Institute is prepared to respond effectively to critical incidents and crises, safeguarding the well-being of students, staff, visitors, and the reputation of the organization.

This policy aims to:

• Provide clear procedures for identifying, managing, and resolving incidents.
• Ensure timely communication with all relevant stakeholders.
• Minimize disruption to learning and operational activities.
• Comply with legal, regulatory, and health & safety requirements.

Scope

This policy applies to all:

• Students, staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors.
• Physical locations of Story Institute, including classrooms, studios, offices, and off-site events.
• All types of critical incidents, including but not limited to:
• Medical emergencies
• Fires or natural disasters
• Security threats (e.g., intrusions, violence)
• Cybersecurity breaches
• Serious accidents or injuries
• Mental health crises

Definitions

Critical Incident: Any event that poses a serious risk to the safety, health, or well-being of individuals, or disrupts the normal operations of Story Institute.

Crisis: A situation requiring immediate action to prevent escalation and mitigate serious harm or damage.

Roles and Responsibilities

Director/Principal:

• Oversees overall crisis management and policy enforcement.
• Communicates with authorities, regulators, and media if required.

Crisis Management Team (CMT):

• Comprised of designated staff members (e.g., Director, Head of Operations, HR representative, Safety Officer).
• Coordinates response, documents actions, and ensures recovery processes.

Staff Members:

• Report incidents immediately using established reporting channels.
• Follow instructions provided by the CMT or emergency personnel.

Students and Visitors:

• Follow staff instructions during emergencies.
• Report any unsafe conditions immediately.

Critical Incident Reporting

• All incidents must be reported immediately to a staff member or the CMT.
• Reporting should include:
• Date, time, and location
• Names of individuals involved
• Description of the incident
• Immediate actions taken
• Use the Critical Incident Report Form for documentation.

Response Procedures

6.1 Medical Emergencies

• Call emergency services (911) immediately.
• Provide first aid until trained personnel arrive.
• Notify the Director and complete an incident report.

6.2 Fire or Evacuation

• Activate fire alarm and follow evacuation plan.
• Assemble at designated assembly points.
• Account for all students, staff, and visitors.
• Report to emergency services and the Director.

6.3 Security Threats

• Call 911 if threat involves violence or criminal activity.
• Follow lockdown or evacuation procedures.
• Avoid confrontation; prioritize safety.

6.4 Cybersecurity or Data Breach

• Report to IT personnel and Director immediately.
• Secure systems and follow data protection protocols.

6.5 Mental Health Crisis

• Engage trained personnel (counsellor or crisis-trained staff).
• Ensure the individual is safe and monitor until professional help arrives.
• Maintain confidentiality while complying with duty of care obligations.

Communication Protocol

Internal: CMT communicates with staff, students, and affected parties promptly.

External: Only designated spokespersons communicate with media, regulators, or families.

Documentation: Maintain written records of all communications during the incident.

Post-Incident Review

• CMT conducts a debrief within 48 hours.
• Review effectiveness of response and update procedures as needed.
• Provide support or counselling to affected individuals.
• Submit a final incident report to the Director for filing.

Training and Awareness

• All staff and students will receive orientation on critical incident procedures.
• Annual training exercises and drills will be conducted for key incident types.
• Updates to this policy will be communicated promptly.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following a critical incident, whichever occurs first. Changes will be approved by the Director and communicated to all stakeholders.

Emergency contacts:

Anushka Jindal

Student Experience & Growth Advisor
(778) 222-8677 
dreambig@storyinstitute.ca

Rusty Nixon

Director of Ethics, Compliance, and Financial Services
(604) 802-8751
servethestory@storyinstitute.ca

Michael Coleman
Senior Educational Administrator
(604) 808-7689

michaelcoleman@storyinstitute.ca

Approved by: Michael Coleman
Date: December 1, 2026