Make the site safe
Confirm whether the loss is local or wider. Stop hazardous processes safely, protect people in dark or unsafe areas, and avoid repeated power cycling.
BUSINESS PLAYBOOK 01 // POWER DOWN
POWER IS DOWN.
KEEP CONTROL.
Protect people and equipment first. Then preserve communications and only power the functions required for the minimum viable operation.
ACTION ORDER // REDUCE CONFUSION
CONTROL THE FIRST HOUR.
The exact technical response varies by business and incident. This sequence keeps the first decisions focused on people, the critical service and a deliberate fallback.
Protect the minimum operation
Identify the smallest set of devices and functions that genuinely need backup power. Preserve phone and communications capacity before comfort loads.
Move to reduced operation
Use the documented fallback: alternate site, manual process, delayed work or controlled closure. Tell customers what has changed and when the next update will be.
DECISION POINTS // WRITE THEM DOWN
DON'T WAIT FOR THE CRISIS.
Pre-agreed thresholds reduce hesitation and stop a degraded situation from drifting without ownership.
SAFETYIs any process unsafe without power?
Stop or isolate it using the business's approved procedure.
CRITICAL LOADWhat must stay powered?
Use the MVO plan; do not treat every socket or device as critical.
COMMSWill routers / VoIP fail too?
Move to the independent communications route and conserve device batteries.
DURATIONHow long can the minimum operation last?
Set a decision point for relocation, reduced service or closure before backup is exhausted.
RECOVERYWhat happens when supply returns?
Restore deliberately; check sensitive equipment and systems before resuming full operation.
OFFICIAL ROUTES
CHECK THE SOURCE.
Use live provider, emergency-service and regulatory information during a real incident. GPN is the planning layer, not the authority controlling the incident.