internationalsos.com - Press releases

International SOS initiates business continuity plan to assist clients affected by Icelandic volcano

20 April 2010

London

In wake of the ongoing travel disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano, International SOS, the world's largest provider of medical assistance, international healthcare and security services, has initiated its business continuity plan to ensure it is able to support the needs of its clients.  This includes setting up a crisis management team with aviation, logistics, security and medical experts from the UK and Continental Europe, assessment of the current resources impacted by flying restrictions over most of Europe and identification of alternate contingencies to support our clients.   

International SOS continues to have air ambulance capability available in locations not impacted by flight restrictions, including Italy, Spain, Western and Central Africa, South Africa and the Gulf. Any client needing an aero-medical evacuation for emergency treatment will be evacuated to an appropriate center of medical excellence as identified by International SOS taking into account the real time airspace restrictions on a case-by-case basis. 

By undertaking these measures, International SOS continues to be well positioned to assist our clients as needed. To date, all critical medical evacuations have been carried out and patients evacuated to a center of medical excellence. 

Dr. Michael Braida, Medical Director at International SOS says, "We will continue to support our members, wherever they are in the world, through our 24-hour regional alarm centers by giving them the information and advice to make informed decisions about their travel arrangements."

For as long as the situation continues International SOS will fully utilize its extensive medical and security infrastructure to support clients.

About International SOS

Operating in over 70 countries, International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com) helps organizations manage the health and security risks facing their travelers and international assignees. Using its worldwide network of alarm centers, clinics, and over 60,000 health and logistics providers, the company offers local expertise, preventative advice, and emergency assistance during critical illness, accident, or civil unrest. International SOS provides medical and security information services, medical consulting, staffing support, occupational healthcare, and healthcare management services globally. Last year the company handled over 1,200,000 cases, including nearly 17,000 evacuations. International SOS works in partnership with businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations and currently provides key services to 87 percent of the Fortune Global 100 companies.