Provincial Incident Management Summit16-17 March 2016

Closing remarks – Final DayPresented: Mr RG Hendricks

Director: Fire & Rescue Services

Things are no longer as simple as the olden days

Purpose of the Summit• The primary purpose of the Summit is begin to gain

an understanding of the various types of Incident Management approaches currently in use within the Gauteng City Region.

• The secondary purpose is to formulate the basis for the adoption of a common interoperable and compatible ICS for the GCR.

• Ultimately the Provincial Fire & Rescue Services (P:F&RS) wishes to facilitate the implementation and roll-out of an ICS for the Gauteng City Region.

• Provincial Regulation for implementation of ICS.

Presentations Day 11. Dr BE Sithole – Gauteng City Region Concept

2. RG Hendricks – Overview of ICS within municipal Fire & Rescue Servicesa) Historic Overview of ICSb) Principles of ICSc) Incident Command, Command Staff and General Staff

3. Ms Lindo Ngubane – IMS: Disaster Management Perspective

4. Mr Hubert Luvalo: Project Overview; Emergency Response procedures

5. Mr Kgati Malebana; EMS MIMMS

6. Mr Ivor Rimmer – Gauteng Off Road Rescue

Presentations Day 21. Mr Hubert Luvalo – Case Study: Muckleneuk Train Incident

2. Mr Casper Jordaan – Case Study: Key West Building Collapse

3. Ms Dorcas Mokoena – Overview of PRASA Incident Command System

4. Mr Andries Mucavele – Case Study: Booysens Train Incidents

5. Mr Sean Links – Case Study: Denver Train Incident

6. Mr Clement Masinge: Case Study: Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve Fire

Issues that were raisedICS

• Incident Command is what we do and forms a core part of our business;

• A Unified Command System is required for integrated and coordinated management of multi-agency response operations;

• A comprehensive guidance framework is also required to all agency responsibilities on ICS with GCR;

Important points to considerCapacity Building

• There is a need for Provincially Coordinated exercises to be held more regularly - Lack of exposure can lead to risk aversion and decision inertia.

• Training, training and more training – The experience gap must be bridged

• The ‘professionalization’ of incident command – assertive, effective and safe incident commanders.

Important points to considerThe future of ICS

• The operational arena remains dynamic and ever changing; need to gain and maintain competence across a widening range of incidents.

• The Provincial risk profile dictates that a coordinated approach is required to deal with the complexity of incidents.

Important points to considerCurrent situation

• Existing IC is very similar to ICS; this makes switching to the ICS amongst Fire Services much easier;

• EMS, PRASA, Gautrain, SAPS and other have their own strong ICS systems which can be accommodated under the Unified Command structure provided by ICS;

• Mutually acceptable Incident Typing is required within the GCR;

• A need exists for joint training ventures to educate each other on the various ICS plans.

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesICS

• Incident Command Systems are in place which guides the application of ICS within the respective agencies;

• Although terminology differs, they all addresses the basic elements of command and control;– Command Systems;– Planning/organizational structure;– Facilities and resources;– Communication and information management;– Professionalism

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesCommand Systems

• There is a sense that more interagency discussions and/or multi-disciplinary exercises are required;

• Command establishment, identification, location and functioning are provided for;

• Unified command is catered for though establishment of crisis teams placed within JOC, forward control points, Control centers etc.

• Chain of command and unity of command;

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesCommand Systems

• Incident typing are in place; although it differs across the various agency plans;

• Makes provision for Action Plan, record keeping, activation, mobilization and demobilization of resources;

• Staging of Resources;• All risk approach• Command, support and general staff roles

and responsibilities are in place

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesPlanning/Organizational Structure

• Management by objectives;• Incident Action Plan (IAP);• Modular organization;• Manageable span of control:

– Sectors/Bronze/Silver sections– Incidents Zoning

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesFacilities and resources

• Comprehensive resource management;

• Incident locations and facilities;

• Staging sites for mobilization of resources to the incidents;

• Demobilization of resources and restoration of services/infrastructure are provided for.

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesCommunication/Information Management

• Integrated communications;• Information and intelligence management;

– Innovative us of technology;– Social Media;– WhatsApp Groups;– SMS Groups;– Explore the utilization of an ICS APP;

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesProfessionalism

• Accountability:– Check-in procedure– Action plan for the incident– Unity of command – one supervisor– Span of control– Resource tracking and management

• Dispatch/Deployment – Assessment of incidents– Managing resources safely and effectively

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesChallenges

• On-scene coordination• Record management• Stakeholder participation• Crowd control during incidents• Media Liaison • Slow escalation of incidents• Pre-planning• Mutual Aid agreements• Preparedness exercise

Lessons learnt from Case StudiesChallenges

• On-scene coordination• Record management• Stakeholder participation• Crowd control during incidents• Media Liaison • Slow escalation of incidents• Pre-planning• Mutual Aid agreements• Preparedness exercise

The way forward• Continued engagment is required:

– Areas of interagency interface;– To improve support amongst stakeholders;– To ensure greater understanding of the Unified

Command;– Desk top exercise within 4 weeks to test the

current level of preparedness and to determine the gaps;

– Compilation of Action Plan to deal with ICS and the roll-out of joint training plan.

The way forwardPlanned interventions – P: F&RS

• The P: F&RS recognizes the need for ICS system to effectively manage all risks within the GCR.

• Roll-out of ICS within the GCR forms part of APP and Operational Plans for 2016/2017

• Also forms the basis of its Strategic Plan for 2014/2020;

• Funding available for ICS training and simulation exercises;

• Parallel process of improving resources and capacity building needs within Districts and LM – first responder capabilities;

The beginning of something great

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