Disaster Management Hamed - Essay Example

Introduction Disaster management preparedness is quite imperative in every government. This is considering the fact that knowledge and technological advancement has enhanced criminal activities across the globe. This paper critically analyses a scenario of reports of an aircraft spraying chemical along Promenade at Blackpool. This resulted in an explosion and a significant fire that started at the base of the tower. (Haddow and Bullock, 2003) These incidents are suspected to be perpetrated by terrorists. This paper therefore looks at the command structure that would be put in place to deal with an incident of this magnitude. It further illustrates the responsibilities of category one responders and also discusses the issues related to identification and treatment of casualties. There is critical evaluation of issues related to informing, warning the public, identification and treatment of casualties. There is further evaluation of issues related to incident communications. Finally, a strategy is formulated to deal with attending media representatives and press statement for the attending media. Command structure When handling disasters of diverse nature, there is need of a workable and reliable command structure. This disaster needs a multi level coordination command structure that includes a central government (COBR) at the top most level. It is then followed by lead and other government departments operating at the same level. The next level is a committee of regional national contingencies. The next level of the command structure involves three local groups that carry out strategic coordination. This is followed by the strategic gold, tactical silver and finally operational bronze. (Bartosh, 2003) In this case of attack at Blackpool, it is quite imperative to note that the command structure and disaster management policies in United Kingdom. The central government in the nation will definitely oversee all the activities. A devolved administration in such a scenario will come in to be very handy. The lead department of the government will carry out overall coordination of all the stakeholders that have to be involved in disaster management. In case of any need, the other departments of the central government can come in to offer assistance where possible. These departments actually represent the central government in United Kingdom. (White, 2000) In this case, the prime minister and the cabinet office in the government will ensure that the most equipped and experienced lead department take up the responsibility of coordinating the other stakeholders involved. In order to manage this kind of disaster, there would be need for the lead government department to be given relevant support by the (COBR). That is the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms and it is has to be led by the prime minister through chairing of all meetings that are carried out at this level. The prime minister can also source the help of the senior minister to oversee the COBR’s response to the disaster. In case of any appointments in the COBR, the Home secretary should lead the civil committee in the contingencies. At this level of the command structure, it would require that the prime minister harnesses all relevant resources that have to be used in response to this level of attack. This may sometimes call for acquiring technologically advanced equipment that can help ease work. (Bartosh, 2003) As earlier on illustrated, the regional civil contingencies committee has to be involved. It has to coordinate and give relevant support to the local agencies such as the local strategic coordinating groups. It will however be coordinated and directed by the lead department of the government. The committee has to meet as a Regional Resilience Tier (RRT). This scenario has also to be managed by diverse agencies that are coordinated by the regional civil contingencies. They include the local strategic coordinating groups. The local strategic groups oversee activities of the strategic gold commander. The strategic gold commander will then coordinate the tactical silver that coordinates the operational level of bronze. This structure would definitely help to handle the scenario quite effectively and efficiently. (NFPA, 2004) Responsibilities of category one responders that will be involved In order to effectively discuss the responsibilities of category one responders, it is quite important to know all the stakeholders involved. Category one responders involves various agencies. They include emergency services, NHS and local authorities. Under the emergency services is ambulance, fire and recue team, maritime agency, police and British transport police. The NHS has hospital trusts that play a very imperative role and primary care trusts. Finally, the local authorities comprises of unitary authorities, borough councils and county councils. Other agencies include environment and health protection agency. The environment agency will give relevant advice on how to mitigate the effects of the prayed chemicals on people and other facilities in the vicinity. (Quarantelli, 1998) The emergency services such as ambulance, police among others have to respond very fast to the case scenario at Blackpool. The maritime agency has to look into the issue of water pollution considering that the scene of attack is very close to the sea. Their responsibility will also include searching and rescuing any casualties in the maritime region. The fire and recue team’s responsibility will be offering advice to safe areas, neutralize the chemicals, to control and extinguish the fire. They will also be deemed with the responsibility of rescuing people still in the premises. (Lentini, 2006) It is the role of the police to arrive at the scene within the shortest time possible and carry out investigations. This includes getting all forensic evidence, information on what transpired from survivors and also ensuring that it is well stored. The police are endowed with role of protecting the scene, the public and even rescuers. They have to ensure that the cordons are well preserved and manned. This helps in ensuring that the public does not rush anyhow at the scene thus making rescuer’s work easier. The primary care trusts that are under NHS have the responsibility of putting in place emergency plans. The NHS agencies such as ambulance services have to arrive at the scene as soon as possible and transport the injured to hospitals and the dead to mortuary if there are any. The ambulance incident officer should ensure medical personnel are transported to the scene, provide relevant medical resources and ensure delivery and replenishment first aid supplies. The dead people’s details should be noted down by the HM coroner team that is also part of NHS. (Wisner, 2009) They have the responsibility of offering first aid to the injured and advice on how they should be handled during rescue to avoid further injuries. Once the casualties arrive at hospitals, they should be treated with immediate effect to avoid further loss of lives. Some of the hospital staff can be sent to the rescue scene to help in starting treatment of patients at the scene. Local authorities have the responsibility of staffing, organizing and giving logistical support at centres for handling survivors. This is also by ensuring the effects of chemicals do not spread to a larger part of the area. They will also give relevant support and advice on nearby facilities that could be affected. (Alexander, 2002) Issues arising with respect to treatment and identification of casualties Various groups of people should be identified and treated accordingly in the case scenario. They include the deceased, injured and people caught up in the incidence but may not show signs of physical injury. Others include friends and relatives of deceased, injured or missing, rescuers, spectators and the community at large that is affected in one way or the other. The dead and body parts should be collected and placed in a specific body holding centre. They should be covered and not allow the public to view them and then transported to temporary mortuary where post mortems should be done. The injured should be the first to be identified by rescuers. They should then be taken a casualty handling area and given stabilization measures by medical personnel. After this they have to be transported to chosen nearby hospitals for treatment. (Alias, 2009) Survivors who have no physical injuries or may have very minor injuries should also be identified. They are usually in shock, anxious and traumatized. They need to be handled with care and want information about their friends and relatives. They should be treated for minor injuries, sometimes clothes, drinks, food, warm, shelter, information on whereabouts of loved ones, helped to communicate to relatives and most importantly given professional psychological support. (Kirk, 2006) A reception centre should be put in place to handle friends and relatives of deceased, missing or dead. They should be given accurate and non contradictory information about loved ones. Their details such as names and contacts should be noted down. They should be given social and psychological support because they are usually fearful, anxious, in grief and shocked. Rescuers should also be supported, monitored and treated in case of injuring during evacuation. Spectators should be handled by the police casualty bureau. Evaluation of issues regarding warning, informing the public, and incident communication It is quite essential to warn the public of such an emergency immediately it occurs. This should be done first in areas around scene of occurrence and then other distant areas. This helps avoid more injuries as people move to the area. The public has to be informed of the danger around the scene and advised accordingly on need to take other routes in case of travellers. This should be carried out using up to date technologically efficient communication equipment. The public should be informed on what steps are being taken by category one responders. Various forms of media should be used to inform the public so that a large group of listeners can be reached. The information should be given to the public continuously until the situation is totally under control. Incident communication and informing the public is a venture that should be done by a professional. A communication centre at the scene should be responsible for informing the public to avoid contradicting reports. The way information is relayed should not spur panic among public but reassure them of qualified personnel and equipment being used at the scene. (Smithline, 2004) Formulation of a strategy to deal with the attending media representatives First and foremost, it is very important for the police to control media representatives at the scene. This includes preventing them from viewing dead bodies among other sensitive areas before they are given permission. An area should be specifically set for media representatives outside the cordon. This helps to avoid confusion and commotion among rescuers and media since even the public can claim to be media representatives. This helps in fast evacuation of deceased and injured held in the premises. There should be a public relations manager to manage all issues of media. This includes managing all the activities at the liaison point of the media. There would be a media centre where briefing will take place among other issues. This centre will help media representatives get information that is most accurate. The media would then be briefed on important issues that they need to relay to the public to avoid distorted information among different media representatives. Control of the situation would be done by the police who would also manage all media representatives accordingly. (Alexander, 2002) A press statement for attending media The United Kingdom Government The Cabinet Office, Blackpool 8th January 2010 A suspect terrorist attack at Blackpool The United Kingdom government has learnt of a suspected terrorist attack along Promenade, Blackpool and at Blackpool tower at midday. It was reported that an aircraft was seen spraying chemicals along the Promenade at Blackpool. Reports indicate that several hundred people appeared to have been overcome by a chemical sprayed from a micro light aircraft, which then flew into the base of the Blackpool Tower before exploding. The United Kingdom government has taken fast measures to manage the situation effectively. This includes deploying all the relevant personnel and agencies in different fields that are capable of handling the situation with the seriousness it deserves. These include high profile security personnel, highly qualified doctors, nurses, experienced and equipped fire rescuers. We advise the public to keep off the affected areas to avoid further injuries. The government has put in place an emergency handling desk at the lead department at prime ministers office where any person can get reliable information concerning their friends or relatives. Information can also be sourced from www.blackpoolemergency.com. For more information, call 800-3-2555, 800-3-2444, 800-3-3442, or 800-3-4288. Investigations are already underway on various aspects of the incident. We appeal to all friends and relatives who may be affected to stay calm as the situation is being handled with due seriousness. We will continue briefing you on the progress of rescue at the scene. Thank you. Conclusion A multi-level coordination command structure is suitable for handling the case at Blackpool. This allows incorporation of all relevant stakeholders such as COBR, lead departments, local strategic coordinating groups, strategic gold, tactical silver and operational level bronze. Category one responders such as NHS, local authorities and emergency services play diverse roles. Such a disaster normally has various groups of people that should be identified and treated accordingly. They include; the deceased, injured and uninjured survivors among others. It is quite essential to communicate to the public on such a case as soon as possible. All activities carried out at the scene have to be geared towards saving lives and damage of property and environment. References: Alias, D. (2009): Dealing with Fatalities during Disasters Home Office; Available from: The Publications Centre, the Stationery Office; U.K Alexander, D. (2002): Principles of Emergency planning and Management, Harpended; Terra publishing; London; Routledge Bartosh, D. (2003): Incident Command Management in the Era of Terrorism; Police Executive Research Forum; Washington; DC Haddow, G. and Bullock, J. (2003): Introduction to Emergency Management, Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann Kirk, J. (2006): Fire Investigation; sixth edition; London; Oxford Press Lentini, J. (2006): Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation; London; University Press NFPA 921(2004): Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations; 2004; National Fire Protection Association Quarantelli, E. (1998): What is a disaster - Perspectives on the question, New York; Routledge Smithline H. (2004): Mass casualty terrorist bombing: A comparison of outcomes by bombing type; individual research White, J. (2000): Arson Forensic Mental Health Care; Edinburgh; Churchill Livingston Wisner, B. (2009): Arrangements for Responding to Nuclear Emergencies, Health and Safety Executive: retried from; www.hse.gov.uk; accessed on 8th January 9, 2010 Read More

In order to manage this kind of disaster, there would be need for the lead government department to be given relevant support by the (COBR). That is the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms and it is has to be led by the prime minister through chairing of all meetings that are carried out at this level. The prime minister can also source the help of the senior minister to oversee the COBR’s response to the disaster. In case of any appointments in the COBR, the Home secretary should lead the civil committee in the contingencies.

At this level of the command structure, it would require that the prime minister harnesses all relevant resources that have to be used in response to this level of attack. This may sometimes call for acquiring technologically advanced equipment that can help ease work. (Bartosh, 2003) As earlier on illustrated, the regional civil contingencies committee has to be involved. It has to coordinate and give relevant support to the local agencies such as the local strategic coordinating groups. It will however be coordinated and directed by the lead department of the government.

The committee has to meet as a Regional Resilience Tier (RRT). This scenario has also to be managed by diverse agencies that are coordinated by the regional civil contingencies. They include the local strategic coordinating groups. The local strategic groups oversee activities of the strategic gold commander. The strategic gold commander will then coordinate the tactical silver that coordinates the operational level of bronze. This structure would definitely help to handle the scenario quite effectively and efficiently.

(NFPA, 2004) Responsibilities of category one responders that will be involved In order to effectively discuss the responsibilities of category one responders, it is quite important to know all the stakeholders involved. Category one responders involves various agencies. They include emergency services, NHS and local authorities. Under the emergency services is ambulance, fire and recue team, maritime agency, police and British transport police. The NHS has hospital trusts that play a very imperative role and primary care trusts.

Finally, the local authorities comprises of unitary authorities, borough councils and county councils. Other agencies include environment and health protection agency. The environment agency will give relevant advice on how to mitigate the effects of the prayed chemicals on people and other facilities in the vicinity. (Quarantelli, 1998) The emergency services such as ambulance, police among others have to respond very fast to the case scenario at Blackpool. The maritime agency has to look into the issue of water pollution considering that the scene of attack is very close to the sea.

Their responsibility will also include searching and rescuing any casualties in the maritime region. The fire and recue team’s responsibility will be offering advice to safe areas, neutralize the chemicals, to control and extinguish the fire. They will also be deemed with the responsibility of rescuing people still in the premises. (Lentini, 2006) It is the role of the police to arrive at the scene within the shortest time possible and carry out investigations. This includes getting all forensic evidence, information on what transpired from survivors and also ensuring that it is well stored.

The police are endowed with role of protecting the scene, the public and even rescuers. They have to ensure that the cordons are well preserved and manned. This helps in ensuring that the public does not rush anyhow at the scene thus making rescuer’s work easier. The primary care trusts that are under NHS have the responsibility of putting in place emergency plans. The NHS agencies such as ambulance services have to arrive at the scene as soon as possible and transport the injured to hospitals and the dead to mortuary if there are any.

The ambulance incident officer should ensure medical personnel are transported to the scene, provide relevant medical resources and ensure delivery and replenishment first aid supplies.

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