Command and Control 2008 – Enabling an Effective Emergency Response

08:30, 25 Feb 2008
RUSI, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET

Link to map: multimap

About the event:

A successful response to an emergency situation can be as dependent upon the way in which command orders are delivered and acted upon as it is on the personnel and resources available. A range of ‘enablers’ can be used to facilitate procedures, including communications equipment, information technology and training, but unless these enablers are properly identified, coordinated, managed and utilised, the efficiency of the response will be hindered. There is still much work that can be done to improve emergency response in the UK and across the globe.

The devastating floods that hit several regions of the UK over the summer of 2007 brought many of these issues into sharp focus. Events necessitated multi-agency cooperation over large areas, in different regions of the country simultaneously and involved decision-makers at all levels from COBR to local responders, via Government departments, local administrations, the blue light services, the military, national and local volunteer organisations. All of these organisations needed to work together effectively and efficiently in very difficult conditions.

This workshop will look at the agencies involved in emergency response, the challenges they face and the lessons learned for future operations.  It will also look back at previous incidents, to understand what improvements have been made during the intervening years.

Contributors:

• Brigadier David Hargreaves
  Commander, 2 (National Communications) Signals Brigade
• Bruce Mann
  Director, Civil Contingencies Secretariat
• Margaret Gilmore
  Writer, Broadcaster, Analyst. Associate Fellow, RUSI
• CFO Paul Hayden
  Chief Fire Officer/Executive Office, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service; Chair of the FRS Inland Water Strategy Group
• Rod Stafford
  European Flood Command Project
• ACC Mark Whyman
  Assistant Chief Constable, South Yorkshire Police
• ACC Mick Matthews
  Assistant Chief Constable, Gloucestershire Constabulary
• Andy Slater
  Head of Strategic Partnerships, Group Engineering Services, BT
• Helen Shannon
  Business Director, OCTO
• Mick Johns
  Group Manager, Strategic Projects and Specialist Response, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Dr Rachel Craddock
  Principal Engineer, Thales Research and Technology UK
• Hugh Fogarty
  Royal National Lifeboat Institution
• Dr Jeffrey Stevenson Murer
  Lecturer on Collective Violence, St Andrews University
• Ian Cameron
  Editor, News Gathering, BBC Connecting in a Crisis

Workshop topics:

• National flood response: The summer 2007 floods were the worst seen in the UK for more than 50 years and a coordinated, multi-agency response was paramount. This session looks at the agencies involved and the importance of national coordination in assuring a successful response at local level. Particular reference will be given to the agencies involved in inland flood rescue, and the coordination of the long term recovery phase as well as the initial response.
• Technology transfer to the public sector: This session addresses the importance of cooperation between the public and private sector in the development of technology used to facilitate emergency response and inter-agency cooperation. Presentations will look at emerging technology, how best to identify what new technology is needed and the allocation of funding across the private and public sectors.
• Command and control across borders: Large scale emergencies can affect more than one administrative area and even more than one country. This session explores the issues involved, with particular reference to coastal flooding across Europe and the coordination of police operations across differing legal jurisdictions.
• International perspectives on command and control: Emergency situations present complex problems. Many responders will be expected to work in unfamiliar conditions compared to their usual working experience and the importance of training is central to success. This session will focus on the importance of planning and training for situations such as coping with 24/7 shift patterns; working without the usual communication channels; and gaining situational awareness of the unfolding events.

 

For further information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tom Mortimer at Tomm@rusi.org or phone +44 (0)20 7747 2627.

For booking enquiries please contact Rachel Bowden, Events Manager, on +44 (0) 207 747 2648 or Rachelb@rusi.org

 

Event manager: Rachel Bowden, +44(0)20 7747 2648