Working at the scene
Working at the scene
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The Principles
The Principles
There are five simple principles to follow. These should be applied throughout the incident.
1 - Co-locate
Co-locate with other responders as soon as practicably possible at a single, safe, and easily identified location.
2 - Communicate
How do we do this?
By communicating using language which is clear, and free from technical jargon and abbreviations.
3 - Co-ordinate
How do we achieve this?
Coordinate by agreeing on the lead organisation. Identify priorities, resources, capabilities and limitations for an effective response, including timing for further meetings
4 - Jointly understanding the risks
How do we achieve this?
By sharing information on the likelihood and potential impact of threats and hazards, to agree appropriate control measures. This will help us reduce risks,
5 - Establish shared situational awareness
Why?
So that you have a common understanding of what is going on. You can establish shared situational awareness by using M/ETHANE and the joint decision model.
Whilst the principles are presented in this order, they are not a hierarchy and can be achieved in a different order. For example, by using interoperable voice communications, we can talk with colleagues from other organisations.
This will allow us to start the development of a joint understanding of risk and shared situational awareness, meaning we can begin to co-ordinate our activities before finally co-locating.
We will now look at some of the JESIP Principles in more detail
Co-locate
On arrival at the scene those leading the response for their organisation need to make themselves easily identifiable to other organisations, this is normally achieved by donning a role specific tabard.
You should co-locate with other responders as soon as it is practicably possible, this means coming together face-to-face. Control rooms can help in co-locating responders and commanders by jointly agreeing the initial multi-agency rendezvous point.
If there is any delay in being able to do that, you should use your radios to talk to each other, this will mean establishing an interoperable talk group which should be requested through your control room without delay.
This will help you to agree on objectives and the joint plan, which will make the response more effective and the situation easier to resolve
If there is any delay in responders co-locating, interoperable communications should be used to begin establishing shared situational awareness.
Make sure everyone knows where the Rendezvous Point (RvP) or Forward Command Post (FCP) is. This is where the Incident Commanders and Managers meet.
Commander Identification Tabards
Commander Identification Tabards
The Fire & Rescue Service ‘Incident Commander’ on the scene, irrespective whether an Operational or Tactical commander, will wear this tabard
The Police Commander on the scene will wear this tabard.
The Operational Commander would wear this tabard.
The Tactical Commander will wear this tabard (referred to as the Ambulance Incident Commander).
The incident commander tabard would be worn by the HM Coastguard operational commander.
The officer-in-charge tabard would be worn by the person in charge of the HM Coastguard team deployed.
The commander from any emergency responder organisation at the scene of a multi-agency incident could wear a similar design tabard
Communicate
Meaningful and effective communication between responders and responder organisations underpins effective joint working.
Communication links start from the time of the first call or contact, by instigating communication between control rooms as soon as possible to start the process of sharing information.
Where lines of communication are established between control rooms, these should remain open until such time that a joint agreement is reached that they are no longer required.
Effective Communication
Effective Communication
The ‘talk not tell’ process involves control room personnel passing information and asking other organisations what their response to the incident will be.
This is achieved by:
Sharing information from all available sources, along with immediate resource availability and decisions taken in accordance with each organisation’s policies and procedures.
Exchanging reliable and accurate information, such as critical information about hazards, risks and threats.
Ensuring the information shared is free from abbreviations and other potential sources of confusion.
Understanding of the responsibilities, capabilities and limitations of each of the responder organisations involved.
Clarifying that information shared, including terminology and symbols, is understood and agreed by all involved in the response.
At multi-agency incidents, responders may use interoperability talk groups, which are held by the emergency services.
The use of these talk groups are usually assigned to key roles, for example, Incident Commanders.
Co-ordinate
Co-ordination involves control rooms and responders of all levels, be they on scene or at a Tactical or Strategic Co-ordinating Group:
Discussing the available resources and activities of each responder organisation
Agreeing priorities
Making joint decisions throughout the incident
Why is it important to co-ordinate activity?
In order to:
Avoid potential conflicts
Understand the impact of risks
Prevent wasted or duplicated effort
Make sure resources are used effectively
Effective Co-ordination
Effective Co-ordination
For effective co-ordination, one organisation generally needs to take a lead role. To decide who the lead should be, the following factors should be considered:
Type of incident
Location
Availability of appropriate resources
Specialist skills or training of those responding
The decision on who takes the lead role should be recorded, as should any changes to the lead organisation as the incident develops
If military assistance is required, Defence will assume a supporting role.
At all levels, when deployed in support of the civil authorities, Defence personnel will be responsible for identifying themselves at the earliest opportunity to the Senior Civil Authority Commander or Co-ordinator.
They should establish effective co-ordination with them to ensure tasks are allocated appropriately.
Points to remember
Points to remember
Click on the cards to find out more.
The lead organisation is the most suited to lead that particular incident - at that particular time.
Lead organisation status may be passed from one organisation to another if changing circumstances make this appropriate.
The lead organisation will chair meetings.
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