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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. |