The Buncefield Oil Refinery Explosion - Case Study Example

Content Executive Summary 2 Introduction 3 Reasons to have an Incident Command System 3 Different Levels of Command 5 Command Level involved 6 Risk assessment and managing risk 7 Agencies Involved 8 Role of Media 12 Learning’s 13 References 14 Executive Summary The Buncefield incident was one of its kinds which helped the different agencies and the support staff involved to learn a lot. The incident showed that having aproper incident command system with roles assigned helps to reduce casualties. The incident also highlighted the importance of all agencies like fire fighters, ambulance, police service, hospitals, environmentalist and local bodies. The incident showed that to make the system more effective proper risk assessment is necessary. Along with this media has a role to play. It helps to reduce tension by passing the message and development of kiosks at different intervals helps. This Buncefield incident taught mankind a lot and will be tuned to handle those when it arises in the future. Introduction The Buncefield Oil refinery explosion is one of the disasters human life has faced. The loss to human life was not phenomenal as compared to other accidents but the disaster affected the environment and the living pattern thereby bringing turmoil and unrest. The accident was such that “it kept many highways and roads closed thereby affecting the normal life”. (BBC news, 2005) The environmental pollution this accident led was huge. It spread “poisonous fumes in the environment thereby making people to keep their windows and doors shut”. (BBC News, 2005) The amount of petrol this refinery was holding at that time was out of proportion. There were “20 petrol tanks each holding 3 million gallons of fuel which caused the fire to burn for days”. (BBC News, 2005) The amount of emission this explosion caused will continue to harm human life. The emission was such that even “flights were cancelled and delayed due to fumes”. (BBC News, 2005) A lot many agencies were involved to bring it under control and to see that panic didn’t spread. “The investigation into the incident reveals that the explosion on a Richter scale of 2.4 damaged neighbouring buildings and spread fires”. (Exponent, 2008) This was such an accident that it caused huge pollution. The water as a result also got polluted. Reasons to have an Incident Command System Such “an incident of a large magnitude calls for an incident command system to be in place”. (Exponent, 2008) This will help to come with various measures to reduce the impact and bring about a check on the magnitude and happening of such an accident. Incident Command System would had added as an advantage to Buncefield Explosion because it would have reduced the casualties and ensured faster services. The advantage it has is “Helps to handle incident of any magnitude”. (Incident Command System, 2007) This will help to find out the reasons of the accident quickly. Since, the command system involves many agencies so the decisions arrived are better. “Blend personnel from a variety of agencies into a common management structure”. (Incident Command Structure, 2007) This helps in an incident of such a magnitude. When “all the agencies come under one roof then it becomes advantageous as the decision arrived is better” (Incident Command Structure, 2007) as the agencies work in tandem to improve the work. “Provides logistic and administrative support to operational staff”. (Incident Command system, 2007) This helps to save vital time. “The staff members need all the logistic in place so that it can be used at the right time”. (Incident Command system, 2007) This will help to reduce the number of casualties and provide timely delivery of service so that more lives are saved. “Is cost effective by avoiding duplication of work”. (Incident Command System, 2007) The agencies and staff working together don’t have to repeat the entire task. They can carry forward where the other agencies end there by saving time and money. These results in decision to come faster and the efforts are not wasted. Thus, having an incident command system for an accident like Buncefield helps as it helps the various departments. It helps them to come together and work in tandem. Different Levels of Command There are various levels of command which is involved which if utilized properly reaps good results. The various commands work together to ensure that their efforts are properly directed. The basic Incident Command System has the following chart Figure 1 Incident Command System The command system is basically divided into four sections. These include the operations, planning, logistics and administration section. This entire department is liable for the functioning of their part. They all are under the Incident commander who watches all the procedure and comes to a decision after consultation. Here the roles of various departments are defined and they perform on the basis of it. The Incident Commander “is the one in charge of the incident and it can be single or multiple” (Incident Command System, 2010) depending on the magnitude of incident. The administration section looks “after tracking incident cost, personnel records, requisitions and other administrative purposes” (Incident Command System, 2010) to ensure that the costs are in limits. The logistics looks after providing resources, the operation section looks after the actions to be taken and the other officers in the various departments are ensured tasks based on the functioning of the department. There is various command structure which are involved thereby giving an option to choose one depending upon the incident. The ways in which a command structure can be based are as Single Command with complete responsibility Unified command with single/multiple jurisdiction Command Level Involved An incident of a magnitude of Buncefield needs to have various levels that are accountable to the incident commander. The most beneficial system for this incident would have been “single jurisdiction with multiple agencies involved” (Incident Command System Overview, 2010) as seen it the diagram above. This would have brought many groups to work together and ensure that the command system ensures efficiency. This unified command structure would have been beneficial for Buncefield oil explosion. This would have ensured that “the different incident commanders share the responsibility as compared to the single incident commander”. (Incident Command system, 2010) This would have ensured that decisions are taken after discussion. This would have broadened the horizon of thinking and would give better decisions. This would have allowed “different legal, geographical and functional authorities to work effectively without affecting individual agencies authority, responsibility and accountability” (Incident Command System, 2010). It would have also seen that “a single coordinated action plans are executed by all agencies” (Incident Command System, 2010). This would have “ensured that all work in the same direction” (Incident Command System, 2010). It would have also given them a way. The loss of hours would have been less and the productivity would have shown in the results. This would have also allowed “role of responsibility to be transferred for several reasons” (Incident Command System, 2010) to more qualified person. This would have made the various agencies perform better and see that the results executed are perfect. Risk Assessment and Managing Risk The result of having a command structure in place would have been that a structure would have been set. This structure could be used as a means where the various agencies work together. This would have made to deal with the risk involved. Having a proper dynamic structure which adheres to the requirements would have ensured an effective system which checks the following risks “Control incident and minimize the effect and damage to life, environment and property” (Incident Command System, 2007). This would have reduced the harmful effect and save more life and improve the condition. “Find out ways and measures that would prevent such an accident in the future” (Incident Command System, 2007). It would teach people ways to deal in the future if something like this happens. “Communicate the important information to the public and authorities concerned in the area” (Incident Command System, 2007). This would have given timely alarms. It would have ensured that panic doesn’t spread and appropriate steps are taken. “Ensure the safe and legal removal and disposal of waste generated so that it doesn’t harm mankind and the environment”. (Incident Command System, 2007) This will help to see that all efforts are directed towards the right path and ensure safety in the future. Agencies Involved This structure would have helped to see that all the agencies which are involved follow the structure. This will help to see that the risk is kept under control. It would also help to evaluate the effectiveness. The various agencies which were involved in the Buncefield oil explosion and their role are as follows Fire and Rescue Services: This agency services came into use. They “played a vital role to see that the casualties were less”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) They had to look for “the safety of people”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) This was both for on and off the site. For on the site “they provided regular warnings”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) They ensured that people and employees were evacuated. They also gave regular updates and prevented people from entering the area by cordoning it. This helped as people were not given free passage. They also looked into the fact that “people reacted according to the warnings.” (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) Proper steps were taken and it was ensured that transparency and clarity of thought was maintained. Here they also ensured that all the equipments required were available. This would preserve life. For off the site the fire and rescue services made it sure that People’s Information Zone was created. “They ensured that update information was available”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) This helped the locals and others know about their family members. They also provided details as to who was the person who would provide the complete information and it was ensured that traffic at the booths was controlled. Police Services: This agency had to ensure that “panic doesn’t spread outside the site”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) They had to close roads and cut off the ways. This would “prevent people coming to the accident site” (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) and people working on the site can control it as people would have been less on the site. They had to ensure that “all the necessary facilities required were available at the incident site” (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) and were not delayed due to traffic jam thereby causing harm to human life. The police services also have to control the media. They had to see that “clear passage was given to them so that people around the world were aware about it” (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) and panic didn’t spread. The importance of this agency had increased as they had to “identify the roads through which the ambulance and other equipments could be transported” (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005) and manage security and safety around the site. Health Authorities: The have a huge role as they are the one to control the casualties and give proper treatment. They had to ensure that “burns that people had got were treated properly”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2007) They had to see that all the medical facilities were there. They had to ensure doctors and medicines were there. They had to see that “minor injuries were treated there and then the injured transported for further medication”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2007) They had to see that oxygen was available as fumes were spreading and people would have faced breathing problems so appropriate things were in place. Environment Agencies: The environment agencies have a role when fumes were spreading. They had to ensure that “correct information regarding the damage the harmful material released in the atmosphere would have done”. (Daily mail reporter, 2009) They had to “pass all information regarding it and also see that appropriate measures were taken” (Daily mail reporter, 2009) so that people didn’t find problem to breathe. The agency also had to look into the drinking water facility. They had to check it regularly to see that water borne disease doesn’t spread. They also had to see that the nearby area was not contaminated. This would have spread disease and also made the environment unpleasant. Health and Safety Executives: Their role involves coordinating the entire scene. They had to ensure that “all the proper medication facilities were available”. (Daily mail reporter, 2009) The executives could have ensured that all the correct steps were taken. They would have ensured doctors and nurses. The health executives would have also spread the message to the general public as to what they should do. They would have provided “information on breathing and information relating to water as poisonous fumes and gases were spreading”. (Daily mail reporter, 2009) This would have ensured more safety. Local Authority: The local authorities had to ensure that all the things required at the site were present. They are “people who know about the local terrain” (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2007) so they can be a boon. They can provide the necessary information and calm the public. They can also ensure that all the agencies work day and night. A message from the local authorities to the general public would be a boon. People would have known that the government is working tirelessly and people will be evacuated. They could have also ensured that panic didn’t spread. Their role was very vital as it would have given direction. Employees: Proper utilizing the employees would have helped. They would have provided information about the exit points. Measures could have been taken to see that people are evacuated. Employees would have also provided information regarding the number of people trapped. This would have helped to reduce the casualties. The employees would have also provided the necessary information regarding the structure. They could have been vital and provided many important clues and would have helped the agencies. Ambulance Services: They had a huge role to play. “They had to ensure that the injured were transported”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2007) Adequate ambulances would have reduced casualties. They would have been able to transport the casualties. Also having “the necessary equipments installed in ambulance would have ensured more safety”. (Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2007) Role of Media The efficiency of these services would have ensured if media was working in tandem. This would have provided up to date information. The agencies and general public would have known what the actual conditions were. Having media would have helped as they would have provided the information to the public. The public would have known areas where they shouldn’t visit and this would have reduced congestion. The agencies would also have been updated on what the actual progress was. This would have ensured that the efforts were directed in the correct path. The interference of media would have ensured that the effectiveness of the agencies improves. They could have been able to reach wider area due to their coverage. The police agency using this could have passed the message to the public. This would have allowed them to communicate with the public. Important warnings and information would have been passed on and this would have ensured that the effectiveness improves. This would have ensured that decisions were taken in the direction to see that fire was controlled quickly. Appropriate measures would have been taken to see that fire was controlled quickly. This would have ensured that measures were taken so that the casualties were also reduced. Learning’s Having a proper structure along with media would have ensured that decisions taken were quick and after consultation with the agencies. The message could have been spread quickly. This would have ensured that the effectiveness. Thus, a proper integration of the structure with the agencies and media would have ensured that proper measures were taken. It would have ensured that investigation was quicker at the same time the process to save people was faster. This would have improved the effectiveness and ensured that incident of such a large magnitude was controlled and managed effectively and safety ensured. References BBC News, 2005, “Massive Blaze rages at fuel depot”, retrieved from on February 20, 2010 Cabinet Office UK Resilience, 2005, “recovery Structure and process”, retrieved from Read More