|
Comprehensive Preparation/Response Paradigm For Natural Disasters, Terrorism, Accidents Global Crisis Response System (GCRS)
About: A paradigm for development of a basic emergency, terrorism, accident, natural disaster or catastrophe
contingency response system towards planning capability, preparedness, security enhancement, effect
reduction, and mission completion. Includes: Listing of principles, strategies, and stages
in the preparation and response paradigm. Highlights major segments of
the system, some of which are often minimized or overlooked, and identifies
major issues without fully outlining each segment. Index Basic
Principles 1.
Identification 2. Early
warning 3.
Prevention 4.
Preparation 5.
Response 6.
Interim stabilization 7.
Rehabilitation 8.
Reconstruction 9.
Analysis We
invite any contributions, comments or corrections. See end
of document for related pages on this site Introduction:
Each part is equally important in a security system or catastrophic
event preparation and response sequence. Neglect of one or more major factors
is one of the major problems in effective system development. If a system is perfect in its material and
operation, but the human or environmental factors are ignored, the system is fundamentally
flawed. Environmental or human factors may in the end be found to be more disastrous
to the survival of the system than any mechanical or material provision or capability. Basic Principles in Preparation and Response to
Crisis Primary:
Never assume that any part of the safety structure can be ignored or
left uncompleted. Being caught
unprepared will be far costlier than the cost of any preparation or response. preparation: 1. Prepare for any and all contingencies. communicate: 2. assure communication
efficiency and availability at all times and be capable of communication with all levels at all
times for updating and situation assessment. separation of authority 3
always separate tasks and delegate authority to
ensure full preparation of all stages. authority defined 4 always have responsibilities and lines of
authority
and communication well defined and
agreed
upon. never favor or repayment 5
always match positions for skill and knowledge,
never as privilege, flavor or repayment. involve many 6 involve other
institutions, groups, governments.
Never carry all of the burden alone. smooth out problems 7
iron out problems in communication between departments
or agency conflicts before having to depend on this
communication when decisions and action
must be taken. expertise availability 8
know who can be called upon and how to access in order to
provide expertise in any area to be
affected. constant updating 9 constantly update all individuals with new
technologies,
procedures, threats and changes in
organizational structure,
rules and expectations. maximum flexibility 10 do not let predetermined
decisions outweigh the situation on the
ground. Always be open to new possibilities
based on changed
circumstances or a better way of approaching
the problem. independent analysis 11 constantly monitor and assess
ongoing operations and provide
for independent analysis of all stages of the
system before, during and after preparation and response. distributed for immediacy 12 always have more than enough material and
transport
immediately ready and always provide for
distributed storage of
all materials, transport for immediate access. backups and alternatives 13
provide for backups and alternative plans for all operational segments. safeguard and protect 14
always safeguard civil liberties, human decency, basic rights
and adhere to international conventions. Segments of a Comprehensive Preparation and
Response System 1. identification 2. early warning 3. prevention 4. preparation 5. response 6. interim
stabilization stabilization emergency support mop-up interim authority 7. rehabilitation 8. reconstruction 9. analysis Note: Sub items below are not all
inclusive but suggestive of type of operations
and special areas of concern under each title IDENTIFICATION critical first stage
in the development of any system. It is
the assessment and understanding phase which allows the successful
implementation of the prevention,
preparation and response phases. ten stages 1 event analysis separation of
all types of events - each has its own time line, effects, and countermeasures specification
of different types of sub events or processes causative
factors determination
of significant features of each sub event cross referencing
of similar features which can be used across events 2 modeling of event modeling of
stages of events and sub processes assessment of
timing and sequence assessment of
interaction of elements identification
of all accompanying occurrences highlighting of
vulnerabilities of system and ways to strengthen 3 identification of population, social structure,
material, environment affected, how affected,
and zones of danger/damage 4 identification of historical reoccurrence, responses
to the event or attending events, and effects
and reasons for successes and failures 5 scenario development, computerized, field
exercise and simulation of all possible events and response
modes including accompanying occurrences, side effects, feedback mechanisms 6 countermeasures identification
of direct and indirect countermeasures,
materials and application techniques,
and effects of each. 7 funding assessment of funding needed to fulfill each stage of system
development identification
of different resources from which to obtain help including private, nonprofit, local, state
and federal levels and how to obtain 8 laws and regulations determination
of legal structure needed at all governmental levels for procurement, expropriations,
rights of way, funding, etc. to support all possible operations. It is often too late to develop or pass
legislation, gain permits, etc. which will delegate the
requisite authority and scope of duties under the pressure of the event. EARLY WARNING SYSTEM Usually
seen as part of prevention but often side lined and not developed to its
fullest potential. The
warning system it not only used in warning of immanent events but also operates during the
response and subsequent stages to warn of possible side effects, unexpected or
unplanned for reactions, and buildup/lack of processes or materials which need special attention. This is actually the nerve center of
each stage of the system, although the
warning system is constituted differently for each stage. This part of the security system contains at
a minimum, the following items: 1. identification of those occurrences or early warning signs
which precede an event 2. development and updating of effective communication system 3. constant upgrading of system with new technologies 4. components of warning system and timing of surveillance
including detection
equipment for radiation and bio/chemical agents where possibly involved 5. development of a constant surveillance system 6. efficient warning mechanisms 7. system of periodic checks as to validity and impermeability
of system 8. test of effectiveness of communications and preparedness of
response to alerts 9. development of warning signals for "after shocks",
sub events or processes within each stage 10. backup and alternatives if warning system breaks down or
encounters unforeseen problems 11. analysis of warning
signs and decision structure 12. types of intervention and scheduling for repair or
replacement 13. development of standby status and procedures while repair or
replacement activated 14. chain of alert status and procedures scheduling
of personnel analysis
of early warning signs procedures
at each stage 15. use of simulations and games to occasionally test the
response of the
system to a crisis and to test the lines of communication 16. development of legislation, permits, land, air, water use
concerning installation, support and
use 17. development of increased prediction of events or inner phase
occurrences 18. constant analysis of operation and success and failure of
system after each event or sub event. PREVENTION OF EVENT Prevention operates at all stages prevention of event
itself or mitigation of force and action to decrease or eliminate the event, portions of event, or side effects assessment of
possibilities and capabilities for prevention alternative means
of prevention, removal or transference, elimination, channeling, diversion, break up,
strengthening, counter force, localization, etc. timely action to
institute preventive action prevention of all
possible deleterious effects of event or sub events development of
scenarios and simulations to assess the effectiveness of preventive action PREPARATION Prevention
of the event itself or any of its side effects does not lessen the need for preparation for
response. All the
structures needed must be developed here. There will be little time in the
response and rehabilitation
stages to develop these. Anything not developed will cost time in indecision and confusion which
may not be correctable within the given time frame 1.
command, control and management 2. strategy and overall planning 3. material and support 4. communication 5. education 6. knowledge base 7. monitoring assessment 8 analysis 9.
statutes, licenses, rules, permissions 1. command, control and
management In
the event of emergency, everyone must know what to do, who to report to, and the general command structure. However, flexibility must be built into the whole system.
Any rigidity in the system at any point may lead to failure even in the
accomplishment of the simplest tasks. Most
important is the need to lessen social, cultural and historical pressures operating within the organization which might create
conflict or ineffectiveness of operations in preparation or response. Individuals having conflicting roles to play
or an inability to
work successfully with each other or within the overall confines of the system may be
the determining cause of an accident or breakdown. structure development
of chain of command centralized
planning centralization
of authority, planning, communication, analysis changes in
chains of command in all possible scenarios development
of a center for administration and communication and analysis ability to
effectively and efficiently centralize and control preparation, response, containment
and reconstruction be sure that
inter group or inter agency cooperation is assured at all levels and at
all times have clear
lines of responsibility and authority in place and agreed on by all involved
at every level clarification
between preparation and response
structures functions and
specific roles division of
responsibility functions
delineated accountability types and
modes of supervision for each stage of the system including
backup systems prevention
of duplication of effort communication see
communication in box administrative
procedures rules of
behavior personnel
functions training,
refresher courses, incentives development
of forms development
of efficient reporting procedures analysis rules for
replacement extra system
support initiation of
fund raising and the accumulation of sources and funds necessary to carry
out the
preparation and response development
of extra system support which can be called upon in an emergency planning scheduling
of administrative phases timetable timetable of
procurement of materials and arranging of personnel for each type of phase/event enforcement,
legal and appeal structure initiation of the
legal structure needed and the passing of laws, institution of rules needed to
provide legal structure for each element of the preparation and response structure legislation
of laws, obtaining of permits, rights of way, etc. covering area involved, materials
involved in the prevention and response, land regulation, provision of types of
facilities
and response development
of rules and behavior at all levels testing through
scenarios and simulation and field tests of management techniques, centralization
and command capability independent
expert overview rules for
incorporating outside help, enlistment of personnel backup checks
on effectiveness of overview system external checks and assessment unencumbered
with chain of command 2. strategy and overall
planning assess what is
possible given the available resources and what is needed detail all that
has been discovered during the identification stage develop overall plan for each stage determine all
possible scenarios needed and requirements for each availability of
needed components to respond immediately have all materials
and supplies stockpiled in strategic places updating,
installation, training and use of newer methods, materials periodic
measures to be taken to reinvigorate, replace, check different parts of system and
system as a whole. know the possible risks involved keep abreast
of the new developments in reduction of risk, capability assessment, preparedness,
response, aftermath reduction of causalities or system breakdown, reconstruction. identify and
locate all risk areas and provide for containment establish
multiple means of keeping all members and groups involved in each stage of the process
informed, up-to-date. detailed
analysis of risk in each area and the proper gain
countermeasure support from all levels of government including local councils assessment of
all of the potential risks of a particular operation or occurrence in the system and
the updating of all individuals connected with the event. determination
of methods and materials needed to protect health, lives, property,
environment backup system for
each critical function and critical materials triggers for
initiation timing and
necessity of initiation of backup systems in very high
vulnerability or very critical functions, design and provide a double backup fix number
and type of backup systems for different disruption scenarios provision
of production, surveillance and
maintenance of backup updating of
surveillance and maintenance scheduling provide
distributed storage and transport for backup system and replacement of all
materials constant
updating of all materials planned obsolescence
of materials existence
of newer better versions difficulty
of getting parts and continued maintenance of replacement and normal
maintenance parts alternatives are
different from backups. Backups are
similar in design and function with the base system while the primary alternatives are different ways of
approaching a problem Alternatives are usually part of the
system which have possible dual functions. The design of any response
should include a number of different ways to produce a similar effect - provision
of multiple correction or of alternative modes to fix a problem. The user
or coordinator
of any system should be familiar enough with the fundamental parts to effectively
utilize alternatives. Special attention
must be given to this both in terms of possible material loss
and the need for alternatives to accomplish the same task, or in terms of an alternative
and totally novel way of operating. 3. material and support determination
of and scheduling of supplies with backup develop list of
suppliers and reliability development of
supply lines and transport with backup determination
of all materials needed identify
possible causes of breakdown, wear, stress, disruption, weak links, aging,
accidental change in
structural elements or delivery initiate
provision for and scheduling for testing, surveillance, maintenance, and replacement stockpile
at strategic points development of
personnel supervision, and procedures for supply, materials, maintenance, scheduling,
acquisition and obsolescence, storage and use 4. communication see
communication box 5. education response personnel awareness and
general knowledge of what to do and how development
of specific skills needed scheduled
updating of procedures development
of educational series covering each part
which must be completed
depending on each individuals position
in the system. upgrade and
ensure readiness through refresher courses and seminars to include new technologies,
new methods of dealing with system entities,
new ways of prevention. public television,
radio, computer series to help educate and prepare general public with regard to
events development
of general public educational series to
be used in lower and middle schools to
provide an atmosphere of event prevention, awareness and preparedness. 6. knowledge base develop easily
accessed and comprehensive base of information on all levels of operation and for all
materials constant
updating assessable to
all personnel depending on function, role, status 7. analysis, assessment
and monitoring see analysis
box 8. expertise have all
expertise readily available and updated distribute
lists to all relevant personnel and their next in line. 9. protection of civil
rights and dignity of population develop set of
rules to be followed n every situation establish an
atmosphere of legality, protection and dignity to assure compliance once
response mode is under
way. provide the
necessary materials, facilities, personnel and mobility needed to fulfill. RESPONSE All
functions should be simultaneously operational since time is usually a
critical factor. No operation should be mounted without
supply and support functions in place and operational 1. Initial procedures evaluation of
event evaluation of
preparedness knowledge and
data scan from all available sources prioritizing
of areas and types of response flexibility of
response based on need and materials, personnel 2. command established - both centralized and
distributed develop plan
of response or attack 3. communication see communication box 4. provision of supplies and manpower check and
activation of available supplies, material, personnel arrange to
fill all gaps in implementation, support, backup forces contact
resource and service providers activation of
standing resources and manpower 5. maintenance of mobility maximization
of mobility for all routes and types of transport 6. actions containment
and corrective action activation
of predetermined modes of operation reduction
of effect constant
evaluations of effectiveness provision
of needed materials and emergency supplies and equipment safeguarding
population, material, structures and environment directive action, avert, channel , destroy or mitigate
continued actions of destructive
forces prevention of
within response occurrences which will increase the damage or necessity
of added response containment of
continuing damage containment of
side effects - environmental, civilian reaction, retribution, power void, opportunism, isolation, structural weakening, medical
delays 7. constant in-response analysis and updating standardized
reporting monitoring where needed,
assessment and activation of alternatives or backups initiation of
system of monitoring for warning signs of immanent breakdown review
knowledge and delivery capability and where backups are positioned constant
assessment of response based on need and changing circumstances well defined
and immediate assessment of trends 8. search and rescue assessment of
type of search needed area
designations for search and rescue teams activation
scheduling provision of
support for search crews provision
of basic food, clothing, tools constant
updating of dangers in field and communication to and between all ground level personnel methods of
guaranteed coverage and indication of areas covered and means to prevent
duplication constant
assessment of supplies needed and logistics replace
scheduling methods of
activating survivors and use of local population and survivors as location and
knowledge base search and
destroy or minimization of effect area sweeps procedures for
medical care, isolation and quarantine where necessary 9. assessment and analysis see analysis
box 10. backups, alternatives or contingency plans assess all
backup and contingency plans and availability activate early
warning as to indicators of possible problems in implementation of plan 11. overview constant
assessment and analysis independent
assessment and analysis at all times INTERIM STABILIZATION This
is often the most vulnerable part of the system often overlooked or muddled through. Should be planned equally with other segment of the system of
response. Interim stabilization is made up of
stabilization during response and aftermath, emergency support of
population, mop-up, and interim authority. Four Parts
STABILIZATION decrease panic,
fear, disorientation designation of
safe areas and sufficient transport provide
up-to-date news broadcasts and other communications in a format capable of being
received and understood by affected population social and
psychological support services constant
communication at all levels to dispel inaccurate information control and
preventive action to contain actions detrimental to community prevention of
further damage, deterioration establish major
networks of supply including water,
food, medical, fuel protection of
natural resources - environment, protected areas, forests, water ways, wildlife protection,
etc. protection and
disposal of sensitive and hazardous materials policing to
prevent vandalism, retribution, looting, disorder, mob violence and to
generally protect
ground personnel and population identification
and declaration of restricted zones and
activities backed up by the necessary
enforcement
EMERGENCY SUPPORT emergency
services plans and
decisions for wounded and the handling of causalities basic physical
support for survivors provision of
basic food, clothing, tools, shelter determination
of distribution of needed support mobilization of
transfer support provision and
allocation of needed supplies to ward off disease, depravation, effects of
environmental elements setting up of
field hospitals, outpatient clinics and transport to established hospitals and
care facilities MOP-UP assessment and
initiation of initial steps needed to replace primary support to population,
wildlife, environment provision of
basic needs of the infrastructure damaged initiation of
initial corrective actions to provide ruptured or destroyed services such as power,
water, sewage, determine and
provide protection against dangers such as chemicals, gases, hot zones,
munitions, etc. maintenance of
solutions instituted during response phase prevention of
accidents and further loss due to structural instability institution of
clearing, storing, waste removal or detoxification, transport and recovery operations. protection of
vulnerable or valuable public property.
INTERIM AUTHORITY institution of
interim authority which will provide support during the hours and days immediately
after event. Must be top level and highly charismatic and capable since it paves
the way for trust, initial building and stabilization development of
clarity on the scope of the role to fulfill establishment of laws, rules for support of
authority supervision and
clearing the way by providing support for other interim stabilization stages security
assurances and provisions for backup if necessary field judicial
system with independent appeal structure and adherence to international conventions guarantees that
responsibility and actions taken are commensurate with risk and need setting up initial
security and initiate confidence building measures establishment of
reconstruction authority provision for hand
over to reconstruction authority once established REHABILITATION Rehabilitation deals with the human side of
reconstruction. Reconstruction is
usually equated with the rebuilding
of institutions, renewal of public services and the building of physical structures along
with the renewal of economic, educational and general social services capabilities. The
recovery process for individuals and families is not only physical, but emotional and
spiritual. Physical reconstruction can not by itself provide this. Some institutions of
society must also go through rehabilitation since the emergency and response process together with side effects may have
severely damaged the basis of many institutions. This
process must begin immediately with the cessation of the response phase and
in many cases must be
instituted during the response itself and hence planned during the preparation phase. first aid, general
health care, disease abatement repatriation of
refugees, location of relatives, placement of dispossessed individuals and families finding lost pets interim schooling counseling burial and
bereavement religious services
and activities recreation for
different age groups institution of care
giving including a wide range of social services security assurances programming of
radio and TV toward identification, and solace inform and help
apply for insurance claims, governmental grants, aid, loans for rebuilding,
etc. RECONSTRUCTION
development of a
reconstruction authority establish command
and control structure development of plan
for reconstitution of social structure and economic reconstruction establishment of
legal, policing and other protection structure needed during stage assessment of
physical needs of the population once the emergency status has ended repair of and
further development of water, gas and other immediate needs capabilities initiation of major
financial, employment, industrial, education, social services, judicial and other
institutions building of
physical structures needed for housing, generation of income, employment,
social services assessment of long
term needs and resources and capabilities available assessment of best
methods and types of reconstruction development of
timeline and prerequisites for each new stage of reconstruction education and skill
training toward filling jobs necessary for the reconstruction process setting stage for
self help and intra/inter group development and cooperation setting up the
social mechanisms and economic base for inclusion of those dispersed by the event development of base
for repayment of loans and grants for reconstruction and emergency services ANALYSIS see Analysis Box _________________________________________________________________ Multi Stage Functions Certain functions are similar in the
preparation and response stages except for time line. These are
command, analysis, communication and supply.
Secondly, in a well defined and functioning system, the preparation stage is the simulation for
the response stage. The
communications and analysis segments will be included here. COMMUNICATION BOX Communication should be centralized and the primary
unit operating at all stages with agreed upon
delegation of command within the separate sub units. Make sure that communication lines are
established and physical communication capabilities are
operational at all times. Establish
alternative communication routes to minimize
any breakdown or delay and provide open lines to all operational levels including a
central open line for the public to call in information related to emergency, alert,
information communication should
provide: procedures to
avoid jumbled or incomplete information, biased or too narrow in scope sufficient
channeling to avoid overload, identification of correct target for
communication, and speed of
delivery separate free
communication channels for fast and timely delivery of critical
information correct
production, reproduction, backup and overlap to avoid misunderstanding increased
coordination and a communication loop to include all involved regardless of
level communicate in order
to: direct the
different stages of system response reduce confusion
and time needed to respond clarification of
orders, laws and rules affecting each stage increase
provision of help warning of
dangers pre and post event and precautions to be taken prevention of
side events and collateral damage increase
participation of population affected develop support
and resources prevent and or
ameliorate events and sub events develop for operational
functions to direct, request orders, clarify, receive information support
performance of all duties, actions to, from and within all levels keep all
relevant personnel and bodies updated on any changes in any part of the preparedness
system. within group
communication involved in each stage between
groups, interagency communication communication
from operational personnel in field communication
with and to affected population communication
capabilities to expert advice if needed alert the
public and provide public awareness of possible threats and countermeasures
to be taken inform, reduce
panic, misinformation in general population ANALYSIS BOX 1. goals of
analysis (1) Analysis is a process of problem
solving and event response analysis which takes into account
historical incidents and the effectiveness of solutions and causes of failure
can significantly
reduce the effects of an event. (2) Analysis provides the data from the
field in understandable form to aid in the successful direction
of response. Never
underestimate the effects of an event. 2. techniques development
of cross indexed database for historical date, case studies, research, recording
and analysis constant
monitoring as to effects of action taken and possible side effects contingency
plans for monitoring in case of emergency constant
analysis of field data to assess possible problems analysis of
trends in all data 3. segments of
system in which analysis operates constant
analysis and updating of all events at all stages and ongoing actions,
aftershocks analysis and
updating of backup and alternative systems for all response operations 4. reporting and
record keeping centralization
of assessment. development
of standardized forms, checks use of
checklists developed for different levels, different events, operations standardized
reporting of accidents or events record
keeping, ease of recording changes, mishaps, weaknesses, previous incidents
as a basis for analysis when faced with a problem. timing and
authority for follow-up for all events as well as regular reporting procedures 5. types of
analysis constant
analysis of effectiveness of command, response,
methods, needs, supply lines, communication,
safety measures, holes in response, lack of materials or support analysis of
ongoing procedures successes/failures analysis of
further damage due to successive reoccurrence of event or similar events analysis of
all response elements towards improvement of lines of communication and
cooperation the warning
signs and awareness to impending event all phases
which were not accomplished, could have been better, were not previously planned or
were poorly or insufficiently planned identification
of holes in the system which may lead to disaster analysis
of integrity of materials and tools,
equipment analysis of and
special attention on failures to identify possible problems provision for
immediate analysis of any unexpected change of status analysis of
effects of preventative action on population, environment and on the capability to
respond analysis
of an inter-related data retrieval
system and the adequacy of learning, searching, finding
answers, use in investigation, learning from previous events 6. oversight external
assessment by independent experts accountability
- acceptance of responsibility and ability to give sufficient reason for
actions 7. change based on
assessment, analysis and outside evaluation need to
create the means and atmosphere for acceptance of change within different stages of
the system. a well
defined post crisis set of actions and rules in order to learn from the crisis establishment
of new rules of behavior, help
individuals deal with the consequences of the crisis reassessment
of the problems within the organization which may have been the sufficient cause or
continuation of the crisis
|