The Efficiency of the Incident Command System by the Buncefield Oil Storage - Report Example

Student Name: …………………………….. Name of the Institution: …………………… Course Unit: ………………………………. Course Code:………………………………. Year:……………………………………….. Incident Command Introduction It is vital for any organization to establish effective strategies for dealing with emergency situations, especially in companies that deal with highly dangerous or flammable substances such as oil storage as undertaken by the Buncefield oil storage. There is increasing need and involvement of other fundamental urgencies and procedures that facilitate effective management of emergency incidents. It is evident that if the Buncefied organization had established effective mechanisms of dealing with emergencies then probably the extent of damage caused on both the organization and the external environment would have been reduced. The scope of this presentation will deal with analysis of concepts that can aid effective management of emergency situations (Damon, 2007). Efficiency of the Incident command System The (ICS) or basically referred to as the Incident Command system is a strategy that comprises of policies, procedures , personnel and facilities which are combined to establish an organizational structure that is common with an aim of improving emergency operations of all types and difficulties . This design basically facilitates the creation of emergency response that is standard in order to enhance a reduction of problems such as miscommunication during emergency incidences (Buncefield Investigation, 2006). One of the reasons why the Buncefield oil storage and transfer depot should establish an effective incident command system is linked to the fact that it acts as a tool that facilitates the management of all types of emergency incidents. When the incident command system of an organization is well planned, the company can attain coordination which is most essentially required for the purpose of maintenance of efficient and effective response. It is essentially the role of the IC system to establish an organizational structure that operates on basis of procedures of standard operations in order to successful manage scene operations. The establishment of the organizational structure should start with implementing the original tactical control measures which proceed through several phases based on the complexity and size of the particular emergency situation. The basic goal of this particular mechanism should be to establish the command organization at a speed that is ahead of the strategic deployment of rescue operators and other companies that facilitate mutual aid (Arthur, 2003). The IC enhances the evaluation of a particular incident basing on information that comes from the scene of the emergency. The Incident of command recommends that each rescue operations begin with areas that are more dangerous than others. Through the transmission of an emergency alert immediate evacuation is effected. The IC makes sure that all sectors have been cleared. It is essential to take note of the fact that the management of emergency situations requires emergency action in terms of first establishing evacuation of every person at the emergency scene (Schneid & Collins 2001). The application of a unified command is usually integrated in the ICS .The use of a unified command facilitates the overlapping of functional or jurisdictional responsibilities. The use of the unified command involves the inclusion of local or state official and federal officials who should also be partly responsible for ensuring the emergencies within an organization are effectively managed. The utilization of the unified command has proven to be beneficial due to the fact that it facilitates the management and coordination of emergency responses by integrating two or more urgencies. It further gives guidelines which can be used in the organization in terms of functional and legal responsibilities for the purpose of enhancing corporation during emergency situations. The helpful application of Unified command does not actually need financial expenditure but rather improving the working relations for every personnel that takes part in the management of an emergency. Within the framework of the (ICS), each members who is part of the structure of the “Unified Command” equally share the whole management process of an emergency incident, therefore every personnel assigned responsibility must have a precise understanding of IC system. Managers are also required to fully understand their role of leadership within the Unified Command framework. The Unified Command system can be implemented by the agency in despite of functional or jurisdictional responsibilities. The ICS notion will therefore effectively not follow every established and known emergency principles of management to be implemented without using any kind of untried approaches, nor altering the diverse levels the actual emergency that is to be tackled. This particular strategy is very much flexible due to the fact that they enhance fast and hard rules that govern managers with experience on emergency. They also provide recommendations, goals and procedural guidelines. These help in building framework of management that fits any emergency situation that occurs. An effective ICS ensures that the response of emergency incidences is actually flexible yet again standardized for collaborative and coordinated management of emergencies. The organizations management has to put in place best practices in terms of NIMS the management command component, which is basically interdisciplinary to facilitate management of challenges during emergencies such as meeting the requirements of emergency situations of any size or type. This is facilitated by provision of administrative and logistic support to the main operational staff and lastly elimination of effort duplication. Through an effective ICS whereby the management meets these basic requirements, emergency situations can be effectively handled (Great Britain: Department for Work and Pensions, 2008). Levels of command needed for effective large scale incidences Levels of command may be defined as the policies and procedures that are to be used within the organization in the case of an emergency. Equipment may be required to tackle such emergencies when they tend to occur. It is the chief responsibility of an organization where such emergencies have occurred to be able to handle them in a manner which is required and have ready tools with them. There is a hierarchy of a command that tends to explain how it operates all this happens. It includes the following; strategic, tactical and task level. Strategic level Strategic plan in general involves the entire domination of the events that are happening, the level further explains where and when the materials available will be given to the incident control to be able to deal with such emergencies because not at all times is the material available especially when an organization has never suffered from any emergency what so ever. It is also very essential to precedence such responsibilities so as each and every incidence of control will understand its chief responsibilities, it includes the following; establishing a suitable measure that can be used, a deliberate plan intended for the incidence and of cause predicting the results for the incidence control. Such incidence may either be offensive or defensive in terms reducing the level of emergencies from occurring or spreading to unaffected regions. Tactical level Tactical level is usually explained by a geographical area or purposeful and sometimes by both. This level assists the strategic level to operate in the most suitable and efficient manner since it directs all the available activities that are to be carried out by the strategic level. The objectives of tactical levels are to be achieved by the strategic level. Part of the authority comes with a number of assignments and decisions contained by certain limitations of the entire plan several organizations have developed a strategy that would assist the incident control organization to be well prepared when such events occurred. Further more, several websites have made work much easier since it provides measures that could be used, this helps the organization plan for any disaster that might occur in the cause of their work thereby reducing the level of risks. Task level This level ensures that human physical efforts are achieved. In addition it ensures that all the existing activities are accomplished by ones own entity or specific personnel. The level also ensures that the designated works are all achieved in the prescribed manner. The most important incident of all is that which puts together all the levels in order to achieve its objective. Incidence control system gives direction on how such activities should be handled by the management when unexpected emergencies occur and measure that should be put in place to prevent occurrences of another effect if it can be automatically be prevented (Arthur, 2003). Roles and responsibilities of various public agencies Government urgencies play several roles regarding certain emergencies e.g. fire, these roles includes; making rules and regulations regarding fire which must be adopted by both public and private organizations so as to be able to curb the number of death that might occur. The agencies should be able to put in place several penalties for those who fail to abide by the rules and regulation of the emergency act. The traditional equipments that were used to put off fire should be replaced with the modern equipment to facilitate easy and faster means of putting off fire. Before the occurrence of any emergency in an organization, steps should be put in place to ensure that the organization is well prepared in all aspect to handle all sorts of emergencies that may occur in the course of their work. This can be ensured by formulating a government agency that will be fully involved in disaster management in the country. As a matter of fact, there should be better communication link that will facilitate easier and faster transmissions of information regardless of the geographical distance between the scene of the accident and the communication place. Such devices may include use of mobile phones, radio stations and off course the use of available technology (website). The agencies should also take the responsibilities of enlightening the people regarding the building emergencies thereby increasing the level of awareness and safety precaution are taken into consideration. Further more the agencies should educate communities on how to ensure fire emergencies are handled with a lot of care and efficiency to prevent more injuries from happening. Rescue team (usually provided by the fire department) should ensure they have done there best in trying to save those who are trapped in the building. Immediately after the rescuing process, the agencies should put up committee to start investigating the cause of the fire, this cause may be attributed by human beings or sometimes by electricity. The emergency medical services have certain procedures used in carrying out investigation, it includes; safeguarding the area which the incident has occurred then putting off fire. In addition the providing emergency health services that should ensure the injured have obtain necessary treatment and transportation. EMS (emergency medical services) should provide advanced emergency treatment for the injuries, establishing the area of residence for the victims so as to inform any relative of the victim about the accident and coordinating with the aircraft ready to transport those who are seriously ill. The fire department operates properly when its work and activities are supervised by the officer responsible for it. The fire department basically performs most of the rescue operations. It is also very important for the traffic information media to provide relevant information to the radio station and thus make the total number of death and injuries known to the public and the government at large. This information is very important since it allows the government not only to plan but also to understand the mortality rate in that particular period thereby enabling it to plan and budget for the following year or month. Appropriate dynamic risk assessment Dynamic risk assessment is crucial in an emergency circumstance. It is vital to take into account aspects such as the changing environment and the mechanisms of assessing risks and making a decision on the appropriate action to be taken during the particular emergency. When performing a dynamic risk assessment procedure it is vital for a person to monitor continuously the surrounding conditions and circumstances. In addition the evaluation of the people you are in charge of or even yourself outside or inside the structure. Carrying out these particular evaluations should be continuous due to the fact that conditions rapidly change during emergencies. The various risk assessment procedures that should be done on the scene includes the evaluation of the tasks, persons and situations at the scene of the emergency. In this particular stage it is vital to make an analysis of the available operational information, analyzing the tasks that need to be performed , examining the hazards and risks that are present while carry out the required tasks. In addition the available resources for managing the emergency should also be incorporated at the scene; this includes doctors, experiences personnel and ambulances. The second procedure of the risk assessment at the emergency scene involves the selection of the operational procedures required in the emergency. In the process of selecting the operational procedures various factors have to be put into consideration this include aspects such as ensuring the personnel have adequate level of competence to handle the emergency. In addition it is also important to put into consideration the various options of solving the emergency more effectively (Damon, 2007). The third stage involves assessment of operational producers that is chosen. This is basically referred to as situational analysis. In this particular assessment the procedures that are selected should be proportion to the risk. If so the next step is to analyze the producers and the safe measures, consequently responsibilities have to be effectively allocated. The management of the risk that has occurred is all about making decisive and informed decisions during the incident (Great Britain: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, 2006). The introduction of more controls is in the reduction or elimination of any risks that may be remaining to a level that is acceptable and when necessary through the integration of additional control measures for instance incorporation of assisting bodies such as the Ambulance trust and the fire services in the utilization of specialist equipment and event marshals. The reassessment of more control measures and the operations system is also an essential assessment practice to be performed at the scene. The appropriate risk assessment dynamics for the Buncefield oil storage building involves the understanding of structural fighting skills in the form of understanding the building system that was used in the construction of the storage facility. The construction features of the building will enable effective risk management and prevention of further risks (Damon & Coppola, 2007). The need to liaison with the media and other authorise such the local authorities and the police is vital during such major incidences. It was therefore essential for the information to reach the media due to the fact that people who may be closer to the site may be made aware of the emergency and thereby find ways of rescuing themselves from the incident. The media is also an important urgency for the purpose of leasing rescue operations, if in case the number of fire fighters is not sufficient or more medical aid is required at the scene, this kind of support can effectively be directed to the emergency situation. Other urgencies such as the police, rescue operators and medics are very vital in the scene of the incident due to the fact that they act in their various capacities to enhance risk management. For instance the role of the police would be to keep off people who may want to enter the emergency scene; the police would also be useful in giving information to the media concerning the proceedings at the emergency scene. The emergency information would be communicated using call centres which are normally efficient tools of communicating emergencies. The media would also be informed through phone call from the police and even people around the area. The management of such an emergency requires effective use of the incident of command system and efficient risk assessment criteria. It is essential for the organizations management to coordinate with other authorities in order to enhance effective control of the risk. The most prudent decision to be undertaken during such an emergency is to let the rescue operators and the qualified people to deal with the emergency situation (CEDHA, 2004). Conclusion It is essential for any organization to enhance effective risk management strategies. This is due to the fact that emergency situations such as explorations can sometimes occur, therefore without well structured mechanisms more harm can be caused to the organization and the external environment. Such mechanisms include effective risk management strategies, proper communication, good management strategies and a well established incident of command system. Bibliography Arthur, E. Cote, T., 2003, Organizing for Fire and Rescue Services, Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Center of Excellence in Disaster Humanitarian Assistance, 2004, The Incident Command System (Ics)".   Damon P. Coppola, W., 2007, Introduction to international disaster management, Butterworth-Heinemann. Great Britain: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, 2006, Buncefield: Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's review of the fire response, The Stationery Office, New York. Great Britain: Department for Work and Pensions, 2008, The Buncefield Investigation: The Government and Competent Authority's Response, The Stationery Office, New York. Schneid, T. D., Collins L., 2001, Disaster management and preparedness Occupational safety and health guide series. CRC Press, UK.  The dynamic management of risk is the continuous process of identifying hazards, assessing risks, taking action to eliminate or reduce risk, monitoring and reviewing, in the rapidly changing circumstances of an operational incident. Although prepare R FGGG rd specifically for the fire service, the process could be extended to the other emergency services and also to activities in which traditional control over the workplace and workplace equipment is lacking, breakdown maintenance for example. Dynamic risk management operates at the Strategic, Systematic and Dynamic Level and involves the concept of the safe person. In normal activities safety performance relies upon the safe Read More