The Planning for and the Managment of Major Incidents
What is a Major Incident?
In this piece of work I will be looking at what a major incident is and what the different types are. Furthermore I will be describing three different types of major incidents and the cause of why they happened and then identify a recent major incident and the cause of why it happened.
P1
The definition of a major incident
Below is to definitions on that has been extracted from the government’s major incident procedure manual in its 7th edition and the second from the civil contingencies Act
Government’s major incident procedure definition
The definition is a major incident is an emergency that requires the implementation of special arrangements by one or more of the emergency services and will generally include the involvement or indirect involvement of large numbers of people this can be in the form of
- The rescue and transportation of a large number of casualties
- The large scale combined resources of the fire and rescue services, police service and ambulance service
- The mobilization and organization of the emergency service and support services for example, local authority to cater for the threat of, death and serious injury or homelessness to a large number of people.
- The handling of a large number of enquires likely to be generated both from the public, the news and media usually made to the police.
Civil Contingencies Act Definition for Major Incident
An event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the UK, the environment of a place in the UK or the security of a place in the UK.
A major incident can come if different forms for different reasons these can be:
- Natural Causes / Flooding is an example of a natural disaster one that has occurred in England an exsample within the UK would be the Carlisle flood in 2005
- Technological Causes / A technological incident is where technology has failed or malfunctioned and exsample of this can be the Red Arrows Crash early this year in 20011
- Terrorism / Terrorism is the systematic use of terror and violence to intimidate civilians to seek political or ideological goals this has been a focal point for the last decade in the UK and example can be the London Bombings
P2
The different types of Major Incidents
Below shows the different types of major incidents and to provide an explanation into what caused them
Natural Disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard this can come in the form of a flood, tornado, and hurricane this can lead to damage to the environment finical problems by effecting the economy and even human loss. An exsample of this is the Carlisle flood in 2005 where heavy rain fall was prolonged over high ground near the Lake District and the Pennines the large amount of water drained into the river Eden which is near where Carlisle is located causing severe foods.
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard this can come in the form of a flood, tornado, and hurricane this can lead to damage to the environment finical problems by effecting the economy and even human loss. An exsample of this is the Carlisle flood in 2005 where heavy rain fall was prolonged over high ground near the Lake District and the Pennines the large amount of water drained into the river Eden which is near where Carlisle is located causing severe foods.
As a result of the flooding there was widespread destruction of house and businesses and schools where closed there was vast disruption of the transport systems and networks. The flooding resulted in the deaths of three people this disaster utilised all the emergency service organizations.
Technological Disasters
A technological disaster is a man – made disaster due to a sudden or a slow breakdown. It can also be when there is a technical fault with a system or equipment. A technological disaster can also be caused with a voluntary or involuntary human action that can cause damage and destruction. Technological disasters can cause death, pollution as well as environmental damage.
An exsample of a technological disaster is the red arrows crash that occurred earlier this year when a gifted member of the red arrows team Flt Lt Jon Egging crashed after completing a demonstration at air show it crashed as a result of a technical fault with his aircraft and witness saw a flash before the aircraft began to lose flight he heroically struggled to stop the aircraft from crashing into nearby houses and crashed it into a nearby field the investigation is on going
Health Related
This is where there is a wide spread of infection or disease that is harmful to human health / animal health and the environment an exsample of this is the foot and mouth crisis in the United Kingdom in 2001.
Foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that cause the animal to have flue for 3 days before blisters form on the inside of the mouth and feet that can rupture causing lameness and is highly infectious to humans
This outbreak caused major crises in the British agricultural and tourist industry. There was a reporting of 2,000 infected farms and countryside around the UK as a result of the vast wide spread of the infection 10 million sheep and cattle had to be killed in order to prevent and halt any future infection.
One of the moist badly infected areas was Cumbria with a confirmed 843 cases of foot and mouth disease.
As a result of the outbreak it cost the UK £8 billion
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror and violence to intimidate civilians to seek political or ideological goals this has been a focal point for the last decade in the UK and example can be the London Bombings. The July 7th bombings in 2005 were a series of coordinated suicide attacks on the people of London using the London transport system in the early morning rush hour. Four terrorists detonated bombs three on the London underground and one on a double decker bus 50 people were killed and 700 where badly injured it was one of the worst mainland attacks on Britain since the IRA
The police revealed the statement tapes of the terrorists say that the bombing was the result of Britain’s armed forces in operational deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan.
People are still traumatised by these events whether it be mental or physical
M2
Major Incident Case Study London July 7th Bombings
In this section of my work I will be looking at a case study for my Responding and management of major incidents. The case study that I have chosen is the July 7 bombings which occurred on the London transport system in 2005
Type of major incident: Terrorist Attack
A terrorist attack is a surprise and calculated attack that uses deliberate violence and force against a civilian population in order to cause mass panic and even loss of life for political or ideological goals.
Cause: The incident was caused when terrorist’s detonated four bombs on the London transport systems. Three of the devices where detonated in quick succession on the London underground and the fourth explosive device was detonated on a double decker bus in Tavistock Square.
The explosive where homemade improvised devices that were produced from organic peroxide that was packed into the terrorists ruck sacks.
Reason Behind the attack: when the police service carried out their investigation into the attack they found two video statements that where produced by two of the bombers. The terrorist stated that the reason for the attack on London’s civilians was retaliation for the United Kingdom’s operational involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is a clip from Sky News Covering the Incident
What Happened?
At 8:50 Am on 7th July 2005 there improvised explosive devices exploded on the London underground with a time succession of 50 seconds of each other
- The 1st exploded on a circle lines subsurface train which was number 204. The 204 was traveling between Liverpool Street And Aldgate the explosion occurred in the third carriage of the train
- The 2nd explosion occurred in the second carriage of the second train which was another sub-surface train number 216traving from Edgware Road to Paddington
- The 3rd explosion occurred in the rear of the first carriage on deep level underground train number 311 on the Piccadilly line From Kings Cross St Pancras to Russell’s Square
4th Explosion
The 4th explosion was not on the underground system but on the top of a London stagecoach number 30 double decker
Bus which its route was Marble Arch to Hackney wick the explosion occurred at 9:47 Am
Emergency Services
During this major incident all three of the emergency services where used this includes the Police, Fire and Rescue service and ambulance service.
The Aftermath
As a result of this terrorist attack 52 people were killed including the four terrorists a future 700 people were Very badly wounded and some people have still not recovered from the trauma. There was communication problems with mobile phone companies reporting they had reached there mass capacity at 10:00 Am having to prioritise emergency service calls. There were also traffic and transport problems central London was on lock down and the police service had to redirect vehicles out of the city also the rail network was closed off which had a knock on Effect all over the country
P3 – Outline the effects of Major incidents.
Each of these major incidents will have an effect on members of the public, emergency services, communities these can come in short term and long term effects here are a few outlined points to some of the effects.
· Shock
· Damage to property
· Injuries
· Death
· Depression
· Economic disruption
· Panic
· Anger
· Disruption to Normality
· Loss of home
· Loss of utilities
· Public inquires
· Arrests
· Prosecutions
· Long term injuries and medical conditions
· Rebuilding
Each of these effects occurs because of an incident they can be short Term and Long Term effecting people in different way.
Short Term Effects on the Individuals -M2
Shock
In all three of the incidents that are listed shock would have affected all those involved. Shock or circulatory is a life threatening medical condition that can occur due to inadequate substrate for aerobic cellular respiration it occurs after a “sock” such a serious injury or situation like an accident or traumatic situations.
Shock would have affected the following;
Emergency services – members of the emergency service would be affected by shock by seeing the scenes as well as the experiences when they respond to these types of incidents.
Families of those involved – members of families of persons involved in these incidents will have affected by shock, shock can affect people in different ways but also worse than other people.
Members of the public – members of the public are the ones that are hit the most by shock when they witness traumatic situations they can be unnerved by the situation and fall into shock.
Injuries
Those who are involved in incidents such as the 7/7 bombing, England Riots and the Northumbria police manhunt will and can become injured or even killed. In these incidents the following where injured;
Emergency services – in the 2011 August England riots the emergency service became injured, especially members of the police service who were on the frontline 186 police officers were injured in the riots
PC David Rathband was badly injured and was permintly blinded
Members of the public where injured in the London 7/7 bombings some with permanent damage there was 700 injured in the London bombings and 52 where killed
In the England riots members of the public where targeted by rioters some people were killed in the riots
Moat posed an imminent threat to members of the public’s safety he made public threats to kill police officers on Facebook , letters to the police and phone calls.
Loss of Normality
Incidents prevent members of the public form going about their daily business and disrupts there normality
The Northumbria police operation restricted members of the public’s access to certain areas for their safety through road block and exclusion zones
The London 7/7 bombings caused the most disruption to normality the rail system was halted to prevent any further attack and also because of the damage to the rail tracks. This resulted in log delays
The bus routes where affected by the bombings bus routes had to be diverted away from the area and may were stopped
During the England riots normality was lost with chaos and public disorder. The rioting caused the police to block off and seal certain areas off people could not open their places of businesses because of the damage done to their property in many cases many shops where looted. There was damage to public transport which halted the transport services in the affected area.
Damage to property
During the incidents and as a result of them members of the public as well as the emergency services property such as their homes, vehicles , places of work can become damaged such effected Ares were;
Emergency service vehicles – during the England riots there was widespread attacks on emergency service vehicles many of police vehicles where targeted by petrol bombs which left them in operable.
Police stations - where targeted in the riots, two in Nottingham were petrol bombed
Damage to Businesses – during the England riots many peoples businesses where damaged in the riots and rioters then proceeded to loot the shops removing items such as TV’s, computers and alcohol to name but a few. Many peoples businesses where damaged beyond repair some were totally destroyed.
People’s homes – in the England riots many people’s homes in the London area was damaged by the rioters somewhere damaged beyond repair even totally destroyed
Damage to vehicles – peoples vehicles in the England riots where damaged by rioters many where petrol bombed and totally destroyed.
In the London 7/7 bombings public transport was destroyed and in operable.
Economical
Major incidents have a short term effect on the economy this can be on a national, international and personal level for example;
Unable to get to work – people that where involved in the London bombings were unable to get work as a result of the diverted traffic and train delays would have lost a day’s wages
Unable to trade – people would have been affected by their businesses being damaged and looted, they would have lost a day worth of trading and a considerable amount of money to replace the looted and damaged goods. Business where reported to lose 100 million pounds.
The London riots had an estimated 200 million pounds worth of damage
During the London 7/7 bombings the English pound dropped 0.89 cents against the United States dollar as well as the FTSE 100 Index losing 200 points within the first two hours of the attack.
Loss of Home
People in the London riots lost their home due to the wide spread damage and vandalism some people would never be able to return to their home because they were literally burned to the ground.
Short-term Effects on the Community
Major incidents do not only affect the individuals but they also effect the community here are some examples;
Panic
During major incidents people and those in the emergency services can panic under the immense and trying conditions here are some examples;
In the Moat manhunt the communities of Northumbria would have panicked because they would have feared they may be targets which would prevent them for going about their daily business as normal.
In the London 7/7 people would have been panicked by the terrorist attacks which can result the individuals to falling into shock.
In the England riots communities in the affected areas would have been shocked at the civil disobedience and violence when they saw on the news that peoples home where being affected they would have panicked in thinking that their homes would to be affected
Emergency services – when the emergency services respond to an emergency they have undergone some of the finest training in the world but some may still have panicked fearing that become injured.
Anger
Those who are involved in major incidents can be angered by the situations and what has happened.
During the Moat manhunt there was wide spread anger form the community in which the shootings took place demanding that he was apprehended.
In the 7/7 bombings the London community united in anger and outrage at the attacks demanding for those united to be apprehended and punished they were angered at how innocent people where targeted
Communities all over the United Kingdom are angered by the rioting and united in protest against them to try and prevent any more escalation.
Loss of Normality
The communities normal routines would have been affected by these incidents here are a few examples.
In the Moat manhunt the local communities would have been unable to commute as normal because of the police cordons, Roadblocks and exclusion zones around the open areas. Also the threat that they may be a potential target causing fear within the community.
In the London riots peoples normality would have been affected by the civil unrest and the damaged caused. The damage to property would have prevented them from opening their place of businesses as usual, the heavy police and emergency service presence would have caused panic and fear within the community.
In the 7/7 bombings people daily routines would have been hindered because of the wide spread delays and closer of the transport system. The closer of the central London area would have caused considerable disruption to the communities’ normality.
Economical
These incidents would have an economical effect on the communities here are some examples;
In the England riots business that where effected because of wide spread damage and looting, as a community they would have lost money due to a loss of days training and having to replace the stolen produce and damage to their property.
In all three of the listed incidents members of the community where reluctant to leave their homes to shop or travel around their local areas this would have resulted in a loss of trade to local industries.
During the London 7/7 bombings the English pound dropped 0.89 cents against the United States dollar as well as the FTSE 100 Index losing 200 points within the first two hours of the attack.
United
During these incidents communities that may have had the difficulties in the past unite here are a few examples;
In the Moat manhunt members of the community came together to support those injured and to aid the police in their investigations
In the London 7/7 communities united to assist those who hare injured and killed in the attack they supported the emergency services and demand that justice be served.
In the England riots communities became united and participated in mass demonstrations to stop the rioting and support the emergency services.
Damage to Property
In the England riots and the 7/7/ bombings there was wide spread damage to property such as people house and peoples business somewhere damage beyond repair and somewhere totally destroyed.
Short Term Effects On environment
Incidents such as these can have an effect on the environment such as
Damage to environment – during the London 7/7 bombings and the London bombings there was wide spread damage to buildings and vehicles, broken glass and derby would have littered the area making it unsafe for those within the area.
Noise Pollution – in all three of the incidents listed noise pollution would have occurred through sirens through the emergency service sirens, explosions and the noise from the civil unrest
There was some minor environmental damage to the country side in Northumbria due to the emergency service vehicles responding to reports of Moat being in the area.
Wider Impact and Long Term Affects
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic Stress disorder – PTSD is a forum of anxiety disorder that occurs after a person has seen or experienced a traumatic experience. This can effect members of the emergency services that have responded to the incident and also to members of the public who have been directly involved with the incident or who have witnessed it.
Economical
Economic problems can a long term problem after a major incident, in the London riots peoples business that were damaged, vandalised and looted by rioters many where left beyond repair which affects the individual because they have to pay to restore their business, many people could not afford to reopen there business and where left jobless.
It also can have an effect on the community because it can turn a highly profitable area into a poor and socially challenged area which crime and high unemployment which will affect the country on a national scale.
Depression
Depression is reoccurring periods where an individual’s mood drops very low causing a decrease in there activity. Depression is a dangerous state that a person can be in, depression can affect those that are involved in a major incident such as members of the emergency services and members of the public who are directly in loved in it or have witnessed it
Permanent Injuries
Those involved in major incidents can be permanently injured which can cause problems such as depression, economical problems because they may be able to unable to work, PC David Rathband was Blinded in the Moat manhunt and many members of the public in the London 7/7 bombings where so badly injured that they had to have amputation or skin grafts. Some people were also badly injured in the England riots with one person suffering permanent brain damage.
Loss of Home
People can lose their homes in a major incident just like England riots people’s homes were damaged so badly they would have had to move homes causing economic problems and depression. Some may not be able to afford to move or repair their homes and businesses
Public enquiries
In the after math of a major incident just like the three listed then there is a public enquire to find out how the incident happened and what the cause was. Public enquires also look at how the emergency service responded during the operations and if they could have done anything better as well as outline any area of improvements.
Public inquiries are important because it inform members of the public what has happened and show them what the response was public inquiries are a way that the services and local authorities communicate with the public.
Better Planning and Preparation
As with all operations that are carried out by the public services can be improved, after a major incident the services can look at their contingency plans and highlight areas of improvement which can be implemented in collective training between services.
This will improve the services response capabilities.
Debriefs
Debriefs are important for the services they allow commanders and section commanders to high light areas of the operation that went well but also areas of that needed to be improved, this will also improve responses and efficiency from the services.
Critical Debriefs help those that are affected by PTSD from seeing and experiencing traumatic scenes offering them support from relevant supporting bodies.
Funding for Services
Major incidents can highlight areas where the public services need more funding to their budgets, with more money the public services can invest in new technologies which can help better improve their services and safe peoples life’s
P4 - Identifying the agencies that were involved in different major incidents
During Major Incidents there are different agencies that are involved in responding two it and according to the Civil Contingencies act 2004 there are two different types of responders each category of responder had their own legal obligation which is stated in the civil contingencies act 2004.
The Civil Contingencies act 2004
The Civil Contingencies act 2004 (c.36) is an act of parliament of the United Kingdom that establishes a coherent Framework for emergency planning and responses to incidents on a local and national scale. This act has replaced the dated Civil defence and emergency powers act.
The act details that there are two different types of responders in a major incident these are;
· Type one responders – Core Responders
· Type two responders - Supporting Responders
Each responder has an Emergency Planning Officers it is their responsibility to ensure that their organization is in compliance with the act at all times and to liaise with other responders and share information. One of the ways that an emergency planning officer can check that their organization is in compliance with the act is to carry out testing plans, reviews and exscerises.
Category.1 Core Responders
The core responders consist of the emergency services such as the police, ambulance and fire and rescue services but they can also consist of the following;
· British Transport Police
· Medical services
· HM Coast Guard
· Local Authorities
· Port Health Authorities
· Primary care trust and the health protection agency
· Environmental protection agency and including the Scottish protection agency
Category.2 Supporting Responders
The responders that are in category two work within a supporting capacity in order to support and aid Category.1 Core Responders. Supporting responders are broken down into their own sub categories which are utility services, transport services, health & safety related services.
Utility services
· Electrical distributers and transmitters
· Gas distributers
· Water and sewerages services
· Telecommunications services (mobile networks and land line providers)
Transport services
· Network Rail
· Train operating companies ( passenger services and freight transport services)
· Highways agencies
· Airport operators
· Harbour authorities
Health & Safety related services
· Strategic Health Authorities
· Health and Safety executive
P5 - Describe the work of agencies at UK incidents and their legal duties
Each category of responder has their own roles and responsibilities these are the following;
Category.1 Core Responders
Police Service
It is the role of the police service during a major incident to co-ordinate the operation whist the major incident is taking place. Because of the organizational and operational capacity of the police service the service has to liaise with the local authorities and the other emergency services. The police service is responsible for all persons in around the scene of the incident. It is also the responsibility of the police service to ensure that the scene of the incident is preserved for investigations and inquires which could lead to criminal prosecutions.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Police Service;
· Saving and preserving life in conjunction with the other emergency services
· The protection of property
· Co-ordinating the other emergency services and category two supporting responders
· The preservation and protection of the scene of the incident in conjunction with other investigating bodies
· Collecting the details of casualties
· Identifying the deceased for HM Coroner
· Restoring order and normality at the earliest opportunity after the incident
· Coordination between the local authorities and the emergency services
Fire and Rescue Services
During an incident the fire and rescue services primary function is the preservation of life and property. The fire and rescue services also have the responsibility to provide humanitarian services and safe guard the environment
Roles and Responsibilities of the Fire and Rescue services;
· To carry out search and rescue and fire fighting operations
· Control the access to the incident area and are responsible for the safety of everyone that are working and entering the inner cordon.
· Prevent any further escalation of the incident by tackling fires dealing with chemical spills and other hazardous and dangerous materials
· Implement and use radiation detection and monitoring equipment in radioactive material is detected or suspected to be involved in the incident
· Obtain information and implement risk assessments provide the police information and advice on whether or not the public need to be evacuated from the scene of the incident
· Liaise with the ambulance service incident officer to see if the ambulance service requires any assistance and the sorting of the priority of casualties
· Take into account the effect can have on the environment and take appropriate action to ensure that efforts are made to protect the environment
· If needed assist the police with collecting the dead
· Assisting in collecting evidence and giving evidence at investigations and inquiries
· Remain on standby at site to ensure safety
Ambulance Service
The ambulance services a part of the National Health Service they are responsible for the administration of medical care and aid to those injured in an incident. It the responsibility of the ambulance service to transport casualties to the hospital to receive further medical treatment.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Ambulance Service;
· Alert and mobilize NHS Staff and personnel to deal with the incident
· Form a focal point for medical staff and medical resources
· Saving life’s alongside the other emergency services
· Provide treatment and care for persons who have been injured in the incident
· Categorize the casualties for treatment from the priority casualties to minor injuries
· Alert the hospital of the incident in order to prepare for casualties
· Ensure that there is appropriate transport to the hospitals for the casualties
· Ensure that there is adequate medical resources and personnel on the scene
· Communications between the paramedics at the scene and the hospital
· To maintain emergency cover whilst the operation is commencing and during the incident.
· Restore order and normality after the incident
HM Coast Guard
Her Majesty’s Coast Guard an emergency services that is responsible for the civilian Maritime search and rescue operations at sea and also around the UK Shore lines. They respond to emergency call out on land and sea some of their other duties can include counter pollution, Receiver of Wreck, Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG), Resilience.
Maritime Incident Response Group Roles and Responsibilities
· Maritime Safety
· Search and rescue operations
· To Preserve Life
· Form a 24 hour command and control centre to deal with emergency calls
· To reduce loss and mitigate environmental and ecological damage
· To render where appropriate all humanitarian services.
· Liaise with other core emergency services
· The MIRG will deploy to incidents involving fire, chemical hazards and industrial accidents at sea
Local Authorities
Local authorities provide general support to the Emergency Services by providing the Councils normal functions at the scene to assist with, or take over responsibility for, highways/traffic management, building / structure safety advice, community welfare and housing.
Roles and Responsibilities
· Provide for the welfare of displaced persons such as evacuees and survivors who have been involved in the incident.
· The local Authority will normally co-ordinate the return to normality phase of the incident, by using a Recovery Working Group.
· They will co-ordinate Support Organisations such as the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance Brigade, WRVS.
Environmental Agencies
The environmental agencies protect and improve the environment, and to promote sustainable development
Roles and Responsibilities
· Protect the public, controlled waters and the wider environment.
· Find out the cause of the incident and establish whether or not a relevant environmental offence has been committed, collect evidence to support enforcement or prosecution action.
· It has a 24hour response capability to carry out its responsibilities and actions
Medical services
Medical services that respond to a major incident are from the National Health Service here are their roles and responsibilities at the scene of a major incident.
· Prepare to receive those injured and provide treatment for those injured in the major incident
· act as a portal for other health services including the Health Protection Agency
Regional Health Emergency Planning Advisors, in the event of a chemical, biological,
Radiological or nuclear incident advice on the convening of the Health Advisory Team
(HAT), which will be able to advise lead in health advice, is concerned.
· Health Adviser Team - is a strategic group chaired by the NHS, composed of representatives from a range of organisations and specialities who are able to give co-ordinated authoritative advice on the health aspects of an incident to the police Incident Commander, the NHS and other agencies.
Port Health Authorities
The Association of Port Health Authorities co-ordinates and promotes an efficient port health service
Roles and Responsibilities
· Preventing the introduction into the country of dangerous epidemic, contagious and infectious diseases
· protecting public health
· liaise with government departments and agencies, local authorities and internationally through the EU, the World Health Organisation and trade bodies
· Protect the Public
· Environmental and Animal Health of the UK
Category.2 Supporting Responders
Utility services
· All of the utility companies such as gas, electricity, water and telecommunications have statutory obligations to provide a response in an emergency.
· Their involvement in the incident may vary, depending on the type of incident, such as being limited to the restatement of supplies/services or, for example in a pollution incident, the Water Utility may be heavily involved.
· The gas service in a major incident such as a mass fire would turn of the gas system to prevent any further damage or escalation of the incident
Transport Companies
· Transport companies work with the emergency services in a supporting role in a major incident such as evacuation of civilians form hazardous areas – example community transport busses
· Transport companies will have liaison officers that will liaise with local authorities and the emergency services in order to plan for major incidents.
M3 - Explain how UK agencies involved in a specific major incident worked together in accordance with their legal duties
During major incidents it is important that responding agencies communicate and work together in order to effectively and efficiently deal with the incident this can be done in the following ways
· Liaison Officers – liaison officers are members of the public services who are responsible form communicating with the other services as well as and sharing and simulating information between them. Liaison officers coordinate training days where the public service train together in order to improve their performance.
· Training days – organized training days where a simulated incident takes place allows the service to train and prepare for major incidents and outline any problems or areas that they need to improve on. Training can improve performance and response times.
· Emergency Plans/ Contingency plans - Emergency Plans/ Contingency plans are a series of clear instructions on how responding agencies respond to a major incidents, each agency will have Contingency plans on how to respond to different types of major incidents. Liaison officer’s form each service will come together in conjunction with the local government to formulate a universal contingency plan that all service will work form.
· Command and control procedures – command and control networks are in placed so that the services effectively communicate and control the situations
· Civil Contingencies Act 2004 – the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 is a is an act of parliament of the United Kingdom that establishes a coherent Framework for emergency planning and responses to incidents on a local and national scale all categories of responders work in conjunction with the Civil Contingencies Act to ensure they full fill their legal duties
· Civil Contingencies Act 2004 by law ensures that all services lease with each other
Command and Control, Gold, Silver and Bronze
The command and control structure is used by the public services to effectively control and command an emergency situation or incident and communicate with other agencies the command structure is split into three Tires, Gold, Silver, Bronze.
Gold – Strategic command
Gold is the strategic command element that oversees the operation, gold commanders operate in the gold command suite away from the scene, they support silvers decisions who are on the ground and formulate contingency plans to handle the incident,
Gold commanders also are responsible for the allocation of personnel and resources.
They also approve silvers plans and ideas on how to resolve the incident.
Silver – Tactical Command
Silver is the tactical command that are in command of the actual incident in a major incident the police service usually full fill this role. Silver is responsible for implementing the strategic command s recommendations and orders. The silver commands staff officers is responsible for constantly providing the gold command staff officer with up-to-date information. Silver creates a plan and delegates instructions down to bronze commanders
Silver command is in contact with other service liaise on officers to ensure that they have a constant update of information.
Silver command is responsible for media relations
Silver command is responsible for the cordon around the incident area
Bronze – Operational Command
Bronze command is an operation command element that is responsible for overseeing a particular task, bronze commanders implement silvers plan. Here are a few examples of bronze command elements.
· Incident scene
· Evacuation
· Medical
· Questioning
· Collecting Details
· Traffic
· Support
Bronze commanders are the most hands on role during the incident that are in constant communication with silver command and have constant communication with each other to effective achieve the task and operation
D1 - Analyse the importance of inter-agency emergency planning for major incidents
Benefits
Inter-agency planning and communication is vital when the public services respond to a major incident, allows the public service to respond efficiently and effectively to incidents. Planning and preparation can result in faster response times.
Planning can also ensure that the public services are working to the same goals
It can also high light any potential problems that could occur as well as identify areas where public services need to improve to effectively respond.
It can also prevent the serious injuries and even death in the prompt and well planned response to incidents.
What could occur?
Without Inter-agency planning and communication the public services would not be able to effectively respond to emergency incidents due to poor planning and preparation.
Poor planning can result poor response times which can result in the serious injuries and even deaths of those involved in the incident.
The public service would not be working towards to the same goals which can hinder the operation slowing down the response to the incident.
The public services would be unprepared for the potential incidents also no problems or area of improvement would be highlighted which would then occur during the response this which can result in the serious injuries and even deaths of those involved in the incident.
Nothing form past incidents would be learned from because of the poor relations and communications between services.
This is why Inter-agency planning and communication is vital when the public services respond to a major incident, allows the public service to respond efficiently and effectively to incidents which will save peoples life’s and prevent any further escalation of the incident.
