17 Chapter Two – Lesson Ten

Lesson 10: Coordinating and responding to incidents

How to coordinate resources and list possible resources for emergency situations

Coordinating resources for emergency situations requires planning and preparation before the actual event occurs. Here are general steps to take:

1. Formulate an emergency response team and assign roles and responsibilities to each member.
2. Identify available resources and equipment needed for different emergency situations.
3. Establish communication channels and protocols for coordinating responses among team members, local authorities, and emergency services.
4. Develop evacuation and contingency plans in case of an emergency.

For fire emergencies, possible resources include:

• Fire extinguishers
• Fire hydrants and hoses
• Water trucks and fire engines
• Respirators and protective clothing
• Crowbar and other tools for opening doors
• Oxygen tanks
• Helicopters for water bombing

For flood emergencies, possible resources include:

• Sandbags
• Pumps and hoses
• Water barriers and dikes
• Boats and rescue vehicles
• Search and rescue equipment like ropes and flotation devices
• Flood maps and emergency evacuation plans
• Submersible pumps

For biohazard emergencies, possible resources include:

• Medical equipment like personal protective equipment (PPE) and isolation chambers
• Disinfectants and biohazard waste containers
• Biohazard response teams
• Decontamination protocols and equipment
• Zoning maps to identify areas affected and not affected
• Information technology systems for risk assessments, data sharing, and communication
• Vaccines and anti-virals.

How to coordinate Search and Rescue efforts

Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts in Canada are coordinated primarily by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCCs) operated by the Canadian Armed Forces. There are three JRCCs: Halifax, Trenton, and Victoria, each responsible for a specific region of Canada, both over land and water.

The procedure for coordinating SAR efforts in Canada involves various steps. These include:

1. Initial notification: The first step is for individuals or groups to report the emergency situation to the appropriate authority. This could involve calling 911 or contacting the local police department.

2. Identification of the case: The SAR coordinator will try to obtain as much information as possible to identify the location of the incident, the number of people involved, and any other relevant details.

3. Evaluation of the situation: The SAR coordinator will evaluate the situation to determine the level and type of response required, and assess the risks to the rescuers.

4. Asset allocation: The SAR coordinator will identify the resources required for the mission and allocate them accordingly. These could include aircraft, ground crews, marine vessels, or specialized equipment.

5. Execution of the mission: Once all the resources are in place, the SAR mission will begin, often involving a combination of air, ground, and water-based operations.

6. Follow-up and debriefing: After the rescue operation, the SAR coordinator will follow up to ensure that the area is safe, and debrief the rescuers to identify any lessons learned for future missions.

In summary, SAR efforts in Canada involve the coordinated efforts of various agencies and organizations. The process begins with the notification of an emergency, followed by the identification, evaluation, and allocation of resources, and execution of the mission, followed by debriefing and follow-up.

Search and rescue services are provided to aircraft in distress and their occupants, regardless of their nationality. The service requires a legal framework, a responsible authority, organized resources, communication facilities, and a skilled workforce for coordination and operational functions.

SAR operations continue until victims have been extricated and delivered to a place of safety or until there is no reasonable hope of rescue. Every rescue attempt should be planned and practiced in advance with the rescuer’s safety always a top priority. Effective search and rescue operations are characterized by effective size-up, rescuer safety, and victim safety. The primary goal is to rescue the maximum number of people in the shortest time possible and prioritize lightly trapped victims.

How to secure a scene during and/or post emergency incident

Here is a general guideline for securing a scene during emergency or post-incident:

1. Personal Safety: Prioritize the safety of yourself and others at the scene. Ensure that you are wearing proper protective gear if necessary and avoid entering areas that may be hazardous.

2. Control Crowds: Cordon off the affected area to prevent the entry of non-essential personnel. Establish police lines or use caution tape to keep pedestrians, sightseers, and curious people away from the site.

3. Maintain Integrity: Control the scene carefully and avoid moving any objects or items from their original position. Document the scene before and after you start securing it.

4. Identify and Isolate Accidents: Identify and isolate all victims of the incident. Ensure that they receive necessary medical attention and restrict access to any individual involved in the event.

5. Logging Personnel: Record the names, badge numbers, and contact information of all first responders or emergency responders present at the scene.

6. Documentary Evidence: Preserve the physical evidence and documentary evidence present at the scene. Take photographs, videos, and take notes during and after the accident.

7. Secure Equipment and Property: Protect the location from any potential unintended incidents or deliberate acts. Ensure all equipment and property at the scene has been locked and secured.

8. Communicate with your Team: Maintain clear and regular communication with your team and delegate responsibilities among them.

These steps will ensure the safety and integrity of the event scene, preserve evidence, and help in the post-incident investigation process.

The use of post incident reports

Post-incident reports are formal documents that describe the events and outcomes of significant incidents or accidents. These reports serve several important purposes, including improving safety, preventing future incidents, and promoting accountability and transparency.

One of the primary uses of post-incident reports is to improve safety. By identifying the factors that contributed to an incident, organizations can take steps to address those factors and reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring in the future. For example, if a workplace accident was caused by reduced safety procedures, a post-incident report could recommend changes to those procedures to make them more effective.

Another important use of post-incident reports is to prevent future incidents. By analyzing the causes of an incident and the effectiveness of the organization’s response, the report can recommend changes to policies, procedures, and training programs to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future. This can help prevent injuries, damage, and loss of life.

Post-incident reports can also promote accountability and transparency. By documenting the sequence of events and the decisions made by those involved, the report provides a clear record of what happened and who was responsible for what. This can help prevent finger-pointing and shifting blame, and can help build trust with stakeholders who may be concerned about the organization’s safety practices.

Overall, post-incident reports are an important tool for promoting safety, preventing incidents, and promoting accountability and transparency. By carefully analyzing incidents and making recommendations for improvement, organizations can take steps to protect their employees, customers, and stakeholders, and to improve their overall safety performance.

Post-incident reviews (PIRs) provide an opportunity for individuals and groups to come together and discuss the details surrounding an incident. This includes identifying the reasons why the incident occurred, its impact, the actions taken to resolve it, and any measures to prevent future recurrence. Although resolving an incident is important to get back to normal operations, PIRs enable us to turn incidents into opportunities for learning.

Through PIRs, it is possible to identify system vulnerabilities, prevent repeat incidents, and reduce the time taken to resolve future issues. PIRs are an essential part of the lifecycle of an always-on service, and the findings from them must be incorporated into future planning and updates. Additionally, documenting the incident and its resolution can inform how future incidents are handled.

PIRs foster transparency and collaboration within a team since everyone who participated in the incident can offer their insight into the situation. Furthermore, communicating the findings publicly can help maintain customer trust in the service. Although sharing PIR results publicly may not always be appropriate, the marketing or PR team can help create messages that inform and reassure users about the steps taken to improve their experience.