Disaster Management Plan for the Birch Green Area - Case Study Example

Disaster Management Order No. 359615 No. of pages: 10 Introduction Catastrophes and disasters can occur at any time and at any place. Therefore, Being always prepared beforehand to ensure the safety of life and property is a wise thing to do. Speedy And effective response during that time of the disaster goes a long way in helping to save precious life and property. Slackness and insensitive response are fatal to the rescue operations making it to be a failure because of the heavy loss and damage that would occur all around. This essay is going to deal with how a major disaster could be avoided and if such a disaster occurs what measures should be put into place so that the rescue operations are successful. One of the most successful institutions of disaster management who have helped millions of people around the world is ‘World Vision’. From the 1960’s ‘World Vision’ has selflessly rendered their effective emergency services and aid globally during disasters. In 2007 alone, World Vision had responded to approximately 85 disasters around the world. (World Vision, UK) Given below is a scenario of a certain disaster that took place and an analysis of how the problem was dealt with will be discussed. Background of the scenario The Birch Green area of Skelmersdale reported that a raid had taken place during mid-day, involving terrorist activities. The suspects were caught red handed on the location in a house used for their terrorist activities. Many computers, stolen credit cards, cheque books and money orders were seen scattered about the place. Further evidence taken from a hard disk on the premises proved that the gang was probably planning a Chemical or Biological attack. There was also proof of information about the location of hang gliders and other aircraft clubs in the vicinity of NW England. On scouring the crime site it was found that the bathroom had been used to prepare a substance making use of different chemicals using some chemical formulae and the following equation is what was used for the process – 2 NaCl + 2 H2O → Cl2 + H2 + 2 NaOH In addition to this, many reports had been received about the spraying of chemicals by a tiny aircraft in the promenade area at Blackpool and that hundreds of people lay by the road in a semi conscious condition. Moreover, the light aircraft that sprayed a chemical had exploded near the base of the Blackpool Tower causing significant damage by fire. In order to counter this terrorist activity a disaster management plan had to be put into place. Disaster Management Plan 1.What command structure would be put in place to deal with an incident of this Magnitude. The UK Governments primary concern is the safety of life and property of its citizens. In lieu of this, the UK Government offers its guidance not only to the public but also to its safety and rescue authorities whose services are crucial to safeguard life and property. (HM Government, UK Resilience, 2009) for co-coordinating between the different departments the central government makes use of an efficient and strong network comprising of the ‘Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms’ (COBR) (Central Government Arrangements, 2005, pg. 1) which has two departments 1) Lead Government Departments and 2) Other Government Departments who, are asked to report to the Regional Civil Contingencies Committees under which are three other important divisions or groups called the Local Strategic Coordinating Groups. The following are the different departments of the Government that respond in times of emergencies. a) Central Government (COBR) – The COBR deals with different kinds of emergencies which are broadly classified into 3 levels- (Central Government Arrangements, 2005, pg. 1) Directly under the Central Government COBR are two factions comprising of the Lead Government departments and other Government Departments who work and report to the Regional Civil Contingencies during an emergency. b) Lead Government Departments The Lead Government Departments collaborate with the COBR while responding to a level 2 (serious) catastrophe. In addition it coordinates between all the local departments including the media and communication response systems. c) Other Government Departments – The other Government Departments play a major role during catastrophes such as natural calamities, terrorist attacks or widespread epidemics. They also coordinate vital responses between media, information services and health organizations and agencies. d) Regional Civil Contingencies Committees (RCCC) The primary aim All the different departments including the Central Government COBR work in direct coordination with the Regional Civil Contingencies Committees. However, during emergencies, unless required to co-ordinate between a response and recovery effort, it is used at the regional level. Its primary focus would be on issues regarding management and recovery efforts. (Central Government, pg. 23) e) Local Strategic Coordinating Groups The Strategic Co-ordination Group is headed by an executive authority and senior representatives from the local organizations and a Government Liaison Officer negotiates between the SCG and the COBR in taking strategic decisions for both response and recovery efforts during a catastrophe. f) Other Groups – There are 3 other groups comprising of the Strategic gold, Tactical silver and The Operational Level bronze who coordinate and work very closely with each other in every emergency situation. Question 2 – Category 1 – List the responsibilities of the Category One Responders you would expect to be involved. The UK Government has made provisions for safeguarding the life and property of its citizens through different departments and agencies who render their valuable services. The following are the departments responsible for restoring peace in the Birch Green area by putting an end to the Chemical threat in the area. 1. Emergency Services – The Emergency Services are made up of the Police, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance services, and the British Transport Police. a)The Police –The police play a major role in handling land – based emergencies (Cabinet Office, Dealing with Disaster, pg. 8) such as road accidents, flooding of localized areas, petty crimes and industrial accidents. A Police Gold Commander is put in place to chair the Strategic coordination Group (SCG) (Central Government Arrangements, 2005, pg. 9) The police works in close coordination with the family liaison officers and other departments such as information and media in order to deal with issues on justice and thereby bring peace and stability in the Birch Green area. The police scoured the crime scene and took computers, stolen credit cards and cheque books for further scrutiny. While investigating, evidence got from the crime scene proved that it was a Chemical attack, so the police immediately alerted the people in the birch Green area and also blocked all the roads leading towards it, in order to prevent further risk to life and property. b) The Fire and Rescue Services – The Fire and Rescue Services were pressed into action as soon as they received information about an explosion that took place at the foot of the Blackpool area. They found hundreds of people affected by the chemicals that were sprayed over the area, lying by the roadside in a semiconscious condition. They responded immediately by evacuating these people away from the dangerous area and taking them to hospitals and other safer places. They also succeeded in putting out the fire at the base of the tower thereby controlling the thick smoke that rose into the air. b) Ambulance Services –The Ambulance Services are responsible for responding immediately accidents or sickness of any kind involving the dead or injured. (Cabinet Office, pg. 9) The Ambulance Services were immediately informed of the emergency and they removed all the sick people of Birch Green area to nearby hospitals. They also retrieved the people involved in vehicle collisions and rushed them to hospital for emergency treatment. 2. Local Authorities The Local Authority services include the County Councils, District Borough Councils and the Unitary Authorities who have a civil contingency plan for all emergencies. In order to carry out rescue operations in the Birch Green area, permission to take action in the sensitive areas was obtained from the various councils. 3. The NHS The NHS is a very important department that comprises of many different hospital trusts and Primary Care Trusts. (The NHS Emergency Planning Guidance, 2005) They were immediately alerted to get ready to take in casualties of the Chemical threat in the Birch Green area. The NHS was informed to have medicines and equipment ready to meet the emergency situation of the Chemical attack on people of the Birch Green area. 4. Various Other Agencies The Environmental Agency and the Health Protection Agency are the other agencies who contribute towards protecting the life and property of the people in any emergency. These agencies are responsible for removing the environmental and health hazards that are faced during emergencies. In this case it was the heavy smoke and dust that was emitted during the explosion and the chemicals that were sprayed in the Birch Green area. Question 3 –Discuss the issues arising with respect to treatment and identification of casualties Dangerous and catastrophic events result in high numbers of victims of disaster. Such victims include the following –The Dead, Injured survivors, other survivors, Family and friends of victims and survivors, Bystanders and Responders. (Simon Gable, Casualty Management, Pg. 10) A Family liaison officer and a dedicated well trained team would be in a position to handle the queries and fears of family and friends of victims or survivors. Catastrophic incidents incur heavy casualties and rescuing, saving and caring for them depends greatly on the climatic conditions, their locations and accessibility to the location of the catastrophe. Agencies involved in disaster management should show great respect not only towards those who have lost their lives but also for the bereaved left behind. They should have a very caring approach and avoid giving false information of location or mistaken identities. (Simon Gable, Casualty Management, Pg. 8) Voluntary agencies not only lend psychological support to all who need help but provide food, clothing and other necessary support. Survivors who have been injured have to be stabilized before being taken to specialized hospitals. The dead are handed over to their family members only with the consent of the Coroner. (Simon Gable, Casualty Management, pg. 15) Those dead who have not been identified are removed to the mortuary to check the cause of death. The body is then prepared for postmortem and then preserved, refrigerated and made ready for dispatch. (Simon Gable, Casualty Management, pg. 24) 1. Critically evaluate the issues regarding warning and informing the public. Informing and alerting the general public about impending danger in an emergency situation is a must but discretion as to the kind of information given should be considered. The public should not be informed of the emergency in a frightening manner because this could cause widespread panic and heighten a bad situation. Information regarding emergency planning for an impending crisis could be disclosed to the general public to alert them of what is in store, so that they have time to make alternative arrangements for the safety of life and property. Planning and organizing things in advance helps to avert greater danger. The contribution and coordination of other emergency bodies in helping to organize and carry out the rescue plans is vital to the success of any rescue operation, such as the one in Birch Green area. Question 5 – Critically evaluate the issues surrounding incident communications. Communication between the various organizations and agencies occurs at various levels. Proper communication is vital to the crisis situation. To maintain peace and harmony during crisis sensitive information is not discussed among the people because it could kindle feelings and emotions which could make a bad situation even worse. Communicating with victims of trauma and bereaved survivors to help them cope with their pain and anguish is a very important part of the rescue operations. Smooth communication between all the departments and agencies contributed to the success of the emergency operations. (Government Information and Communication Service, 2003) The Rescue and Recovery team of the most vulnerable because they are direct witnesses to the death and trauma they are exposed to. They have the difficult task of informing loved ones of the dead and around those who are facing a traumatic situation. Sensitive information should be avoided in order to put an end to further chaos and confusion. Question 6 – Formulate a strategy to deal with the attending media representatives. To deal with the media in disbursing the right information, a plan of action has to be set into place. In some cases it is possible that exaggerated or wrong information is passed on such as ‘sensitive information that may alarm the public (International Association of Fire Chiefs, 2004) The media has a primary role to play during an emergency because they are responsible updating the public and other government departments on the current developments taking place and the progress that has been made. Strict action should be taken against media personalities who create more tension and confusion by their exaggerated media reports. Some of the cautionary steps that could be followed by the media to avoid confusion are by having a common briefing location from where authentic news can be exchanged and thus avoid ambiguity. Identification tags, badges, or monograms could be used within the sensitive areas. In addition to this, an authentic press statement should be distributed among the media representatives so they could use it as a guide for their reports. Question 7 – Press Statement for the Media Terrorist Attack Date: 3rd November, 2009 Time: 12.00 hrs. Press Release No. 3/2009/12.00 A report was filed by the Skelmersdale’s Birch Green area about a raid that occurred during midday today that involved terrorist activities in a house located there. The gang of terrorist was apprehended on location, and investigations showed that a lot of stolen credit cards, cheque books and money orders that were found among the computers used for their nefarious activities. Further investigation showed that the bathroom was used to make chemicals for the chemical attack which they had planned by making use of light bodied hang- gliders. Immediately a plan of action was set into place to alert the public of the ensuing catastrophe and rescue operations involving the different emergency departments were put into action and the people were alerted. 1. Public were warned of the chemical attack in the Birch Green area and they were asked to relocate to safer places. 2. The roads leading to the area were blocked or cordoned off to avoid danger by means of traffic. 3. The public were asked to inform the authorities of the communications center of any problems in their area. 4. People were asked to stay indoors and keep the doors and windows shut due to the chemical attack. 5. They were advised to keep in touch with the public information center in case they spotted light aircraft or hang – gliders in their locality. Conclusion Being prepared for emergencies at any time could avoid widespread panic during a catastrophe. The various departments should have well trained personnel who would be able to meet the needs of an emergency situation. The public should be made aware that there are agencies they can contact and make use of during a crisis. When there is good cooperation and Co-ordination between the public and the different emergency departments, then the rescue operations become easier making it a success. References Cabinet Office, Dealing With Disaster, Revised 3rd Edition. Department of Health Emergency Preparedness Division (2005) The NHS Emergency Planning Guidance (2005) http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4121072 HM Government (2005) Central Government Arrangements for Responding to an Emergency – Concept of Operations http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/132685/conops.pdf Communicating Risk. HM Treasury/Government Information and Communication Service, 2003 http://www.ukresilience.info/risk/index.htm HM Government, Emergency Preparedness, Guidance Part I of the Civil Contingency Act, 2004. (2009) www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience.aspx International Association of Fire Chiefs, 2004 Simon Gable, Casualty Management, Management of Dead Bodies in Disaster Situations. University of Central Lancashire http://www.paho.org/english/dd/ped/ManejoCadaveres.htm Read More