Chapter 10: Command & Control / Emergency Management ** Flashcards
Command & Control
When responding to an incident, the primary responsibility to ensure risk is managed appropriately is with who?
The incident controller.
Command & Control
What does TENR stand for?
Threat
Exposure
Necessity
Response
Command & Control
TENR
The response to any situation must be _____, _____, _____ and _____
Considered, timely, proportionate and appropriate.
Command & Control
What’s the difference between ‘command’ and ‘control’?
Control operates horizontally across agencies.
- responsible for coordinating and directing the response to an incident. Sets priorities and objectives, and determines how best to implement them.
- includes authority to assign tasks to another agency and coordinate that agency’s actions.
- does not include responsibility or the management of another agency’s resources
Command operates vertically within an agency.
- internal ownership, admin responsibility, and detailed direction of an agency’s personnel and resources.
If you’re in control of an incident you can still only command people in your team, you need to control the commanders of other groups/agencies to be an effective controller.
Command & Control 6
What are the three essential elements of command and control?
1) Leadership
2) Decision making
3) Control
Command & Control
What does CIMS stand for?
Coordinated Incident Management System
Command & Control
What are the three specific command levels?
1) Tactical
2) Operational
3) Strategic
Command & Control
What’s the internationally recommended number of direct reports a controller should have under them?
2 - 7, depending on the complexity of the operation.
Command & Control
Our appreciation format is AFCO. What does that stand for?
Aim
- statement of intent - what do you want to do?
Factors
- circumstances and influences
Courses of action
- possible courses of action
Outline plan
- What you are going to do
‘Appreciation’ is a process for problem solving and decision-making. It follows a set process so that factors and alternatives are considered.
Command & Control
What does GSMEAC stand for?
Ground Situation Mission Execution Administration and Logistics Command and Signals
Command & Control
Explain what’s meant by Ground in GSMEAC
- An overview of the terrain and make up of the area.
- Including risks and hazards (e.g. lack of cover from sight for an approach)
Command & Control
Explain what’s meant by Situation in GSMEAC
- Summary of the background and reason why Police are responding.
- May also highlight assumptions made by the controller/commander.
- Outline of the group this is being policed, the threat and total Police resources.
Command & Control
Explain what’s meant by Mission in GSMEAC
- A very clear and concise statement as to the Police role.
- The mission is one sentence and will always start with “To…”
Command & Control
Explain what’s meant by Execution in GSMEAC
- Outlines how the mission will be achieved.
- Identify groups, O/C, 2 I/C, their location and key tasks
- Cover other relevant matter:
- boundaries
- timings
- limitations
- fire orders
- routes to scene
- briefings and debriefs
- arrests
- news media/public communications
- liaison with other agencies
- legal and evidence gathering
Command & Control
Explain what’s meant by Administration and Logistics in GSMEAC
Outlines support functions such as:
- equipment
- meals / accommodation
- dress / clothing
- transport
- resources
- health and safety
- medical
- welfare
Controllers and Commanders and responsible for ensuring Health and Safety obligations are met in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Command & Control
Explain what’s meant by Command and Signals in GSMEAC
- Outlines various command and control elements
- How staff will communicate with each other and the commander / headquarters
- The Controller / Commander and 2 I/C must be named
- Ideally will also contain the location of HQ, contact numbers of each key person
- Call signs and radio channel to be used
Emergency Management
What’s the definition of emergency under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002?
ANY happening, whether natural or otherwise, that causes or may cause loss of life/injury/illness/distress or in any way endangers the safety of public/property
That cannot be dealt with by emergency services, or otherwise requires significant and co-ordinated response under this Act.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 86: Evacuation of premises and places
If a state of emergency is in force and, in the opinion of a Controller or ANY Constable is that it is necessary for the preservation of human life, that person (or someone authorised by them) may direct:
a) the evacuation of any premises or public place
b) the exclusion of any person or vehicle from any place
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 87: Entry on premises
When and why can the Police or Controllers enter properties when there’s a state of emergency?
Believes on reasonable grounds that it’s necessary for:
a) saving life, preventing injury, rescuing and removing injured or endangered persons
b) permitting or carrying out any urgent measure of the relief of suffering or distress.
You can enter or break in if necessary.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 88: Closing roads and public places
When can you close a road?
In order to prevent or limit the extent of the emergency, totally or partially prohibit or restrict public access, with or without vehicles, to any road or public place within the area.
So you can close a road to vehicle’s and people on foot.
Note:
This can be done by a Constable, a Controller or any person so authorised in a relevant civil defence emergency management plan.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 89: Removal or aircraft, vessels, vehicles etc.
Contable/Controller (or any person acting under their authority) can, in order to prevent or limit the extent of the emergency:
a) remove any aircraft, hovercraft, ship or ferry or other vessel, train or vehicle impeding civil defence emergency management
b) use force to break into the vessel if necessary
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 90: Requisitioning powers
What can you requisition and for what reason?
Pretty much anything. Including animals.
- land, buildings
- vehicle , boat
- earth moving / construction equipment or materials
- food, medicine, medical supplies, beds
- many more
Can take it if it’s necessary for the preservation of human life.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 90: Requisitioning powers
You need a digger to assist with an emergency response. There are no diggers to requisition inside the emergency area.
Can you requisition a digger from outside of the area with a state of emergency called?
I believe that you can.
It’s not super clear but all the other powers specify that they only work inside the emergency area.
This one leaves it open
(1) This section applies if a state of emergency is in force and, in the opinion of a Controller or a constable, the action authorised by this section is necessary for the preservation of human life.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 90: Requisitioning powers
What are the rules around giving the owner/controller of requisitioned property notice?
The person exercising the power must give a written statement specifying the property that’s being taken and the person who will be in control of it.
If the owner/controller can’t be found then then constable (etc.) can taken it immediately but they have to give the owner/controller a written statement ASAPracticable.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 91: Power to give directions
What can a Controller/constable direct a person to do?
a) Direct any person to stop any activity that may cause or substantially contribute to an emergency.
b) request any person, wither verbally or in writing, to take any action to prevent or limit the extent of the emergency.
NOTE:
This section is quite long an mainly deals with directing a building owner to get a report about their buildings structural integrity.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 91
What can a Controller/constable direct a building owner to do if they think that the building/structure pose a risk of injury or safety of life/property?
- Direct the owner to get a assessment of the effect of the emergency on the building/structure
- The direction must state the purpose of the assessment and specify which assessment is required
- specify a reasonable time within which the assessment must be concluded
- This must be done at the expense of the owner
- The owner may appeal this to the District Court on the grounds that the direction is unreasonable
- The District Court may grant relief relating to the costs of getting the assessment.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 92
Can Controllers/Constable’s destroy animals under this Act?
Yes.
With this section they can destroy any property or animal or any other thing if they think it will prevent or limit the extent of the emergency.
They can also examine, mark, seize, sample, secure, disinfect anything.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Section 93
What are the requirements of a person carrying out emergency powers under this act?
Do you have to show I.D? Do you have to quote the act/section?
- have with them, and produce it requested to do so, evidence of their identity
- if requested, produce evidence of or give general explanation of the authority under which they are acting and the power(s) they are exercising.
So…
only if requested for both. Don’t need to quote any legislation, just need to give a brief explanation about why you’re doing.
It doesn’t say anything about wearing uniform.
Emergency Management
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
What are the offences under this act? 2 of them.
What’s the punishment?
- Intentionally failing to comply with a requirement in a civil defence emergency management plan
- during a state of emergency (or transition period), threatens, assaults or intentionally obstruct or hinders any person in that person’s exercise of performance of a function, power, or duty under this Act.
Punishment:
Individual: 3 months / $5,000 fine
Body corp: $50,000 fine
Radio Protocols
Who is the initial incident controller for all incident reported to Police via Emergency Communications Centres?
The Emergency Communications Centre Shift Commander.
The authority of the Shift Commander is delegated to Comms Team Leaders and Dispatchers.
Radio Protocols
Do ground units need to comply with the directions off dispatchers?
Yes. They have been delegated with the authority of the Comms Shift Commander.
This is especially true before a Incident Controller has been appointed on the ground. Before this stage, Comms are the Incident Controllers.
Radio Protocols
What should field supervisors (or units) have the oportunity to do before the are designated incident controller by Comms?
- establish an incident control point
- familiarise themselves with the incident and obtain a briefing
- formulate a response plan
Radio Protocols
If a Forward Commander is no longer the most appropriate person to fill the role, who can revoke their appointment?
The Shift Commander (Comms) can. They have the delegated authority of the District Commander.
They can either take the role themselves or appoint someone else at the scene.
