Command And control / EM

Question 1

What is the principle of delegation of command in emergency management?

Answer 1

Centralisation of command but decentralised execution

Commanders have responsibility to implement their part of any plan and must be given the necessary direction, resources, and freedom of action.

Question 2

What does freedom of action allow commanders to do?

Answer 2

Take initiative and exercise skills and knowledge

It provides confidence to apply judgement in unanticipated and urgent situations.

Question 3

True or false: Commanders must always follow orders and direction given without exercising any initiative.

Answer 3

FALSE

Exercising ‘disciplined initiative’ allows commanders to assess situations and make decisions that create opportunities.

Question 4

What factors determine the extent of a Commander’s freedom to act?

Answer 4

• Limitations set
• Constraints imposed
• Risk posed to responders and the community

Commanders must be aware of legal, financial, organisational, political, and environmental considerations that impact their decisions.

Question 5

What is the difference between command and control in incident response?

Answer 5

• Command: Operates vertically within an organization
• Control: Applies horizontally across agencies

Command describes internal ownership and direction within an agency, while control refers to coordinating and directing the response to an incident.

Question 6

Who is in control of the incident when a controller is appointed?

Answer 6

The controller

The controller can command staff only within their own agency but controls the overall response.

Question 7

What does coordination assist with in command and control?

Answer 7

Defined control and command arrangements

Coordination ensures that command and control are communicated effectively to all response agencies.

Question 8

True or false: A controller can command staff from other agencies.

Answer 8

FALSE

A controller can only command staff within their own agency.

Question 9

What are the responsibilities of a controller during an incident?

Answer 9

• Set priorities
• Set objectives
• Determine implementation strategies
• Assign tasks to other agencies

The controller coordinates actions to integrate with the wider response.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: Command applies _______ to one agency.

Answer 10

vertically

This indicates the internal structure and hierarchy of command within an organization.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: Control applies _______ across agencies.

Answer 11

horizontally

This reflects the need for collaboration and coordination among different agencies during an incident.

Question 12

What is the difference between command and control in incident response?

Answer 12

• Command: Operates vertically within an organization
• Control: Applies horizontally across agencies

Command describes internal ownership and direction within an agency, while control refers to coordinating and directing the response to an incident.

Question 13

Who is in control of the incident when a controller is appointed?

Answer 13

The controller

The controller can command staff only within their own agency but controls the overall response.

Question 14

What does coordination assist with in command and control?

Answer 14

Defined control and command arrangements

Coordination ensures that command and control are communicated effectively to all response agencies.

Question 15

True or false: A controller can command staff from other agencies.

Answer 15

FALSE

A controller can only command staff within their own agency.

Question 16

What are the responsibilities of a controller during an incident?

Answer 16

• Set priorities
• Set objectives
• Determine implementation strategies
• Assign tasks to other agencies

The controller coordinates actions to integrate with the wider response.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Command applies _______ to one agency.

Answer 17

vertically

This indicates the internal structure and hierarchy of command within an organization.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Control applies _______ across agencies.

Answer 18

horizontally

This reflects the need for collaboration and coordination among different agencies during an incident.

Question 19

What is the operational level of command characterized by?

Answer 19

Occurs when multiple tactical level activities occur or when the complexity of the situation requires a higher level of command

Functions include command of overall incidents, taskings of specialist groups, command of resource distribution, managing consequences, and interagency coordination.

Question 20

List the functions of the operational level of command.

Answer 20

• Command of overall incident or incidents
• Taskings of specialist groups (e.g., AOS)
• Command of resource distribution to roles
• Managing consequences of ongoing responses or event development
• Interagency coordination at operational level

These functions ensure effective management of incidents at the operational level.

Question 21

When is the strategic level of command required?

Answer 21

When the scope, consequence, community, or political implications of an event require management

This level involves broader oversight and coordination of multiple operational activities.

Question 22

List the functions of the strategic level of command.

Answer 22

• Command of overall incident or incidents
• Command multiple operational activities
• Command community engagement
• Command consequence management
• Liaison with Executive, government, and media

These functions are crucial for managing large-scale incidents with significant implications.

Question 23

What does steady state policing describe?

Answer 23

Activities that Police respond to and manage as part of everyday responsibilities

This includes routine policing tasks that do not escalate into emergencies.

Question 24

What are rising tide incidents?

Answer 24

Incidents that develop from a steady state to become an emergency or major incident over a prolonged period of time

Examples include severe weather events such as widespread flooding.

Question 25

What is required for managing **rising tide incidents**?

Answer 25

Careful consideration to ensure the nature of the incident is properly understood and that a proportionate response is applied ## Footnote This approach helps in effectively addressing the evolving situation.

Question 26

Define **spontaneous incidents**.

Answer 26

Incidents that have no warning to develop response or contingency plans ## Footnote These incidents require an initial response even with incomplete information.

Question 27

What is the initial response to a **spontaneous incident** directed towards?

Answer 27

Increasing the level of intelligence or understanding of what has occurred ## Footnote This helps in forming a more informed response as the situation develops.

Question 28

What is the **operational level** of command characterized by?

Answer 28

Occurs when multiple tactical level activities occur or when the complexity of the situation requires a higher level of command ## Footnote Functions include command of overall incidents, taskings of specialist groups, command of resource distribution, managing consequences, and interagency coordination.

Question 29

List the **functions** of the operational level of command.

Answer 29

* Command of overall incident or incidents * Taskings of specialist groups (e.g., AOS) * Command of resource distribution to roles * Managing consequences of ongoing responses or event development * Interagency coordination at operational level ## Footnote These functions ensure effective management of incidents at the operational level.

Question 30

When is the **strategic level** of command required?

Answer 30

When the scope, consequence, community, or political implications of an event require management ## Footnote This level involves broader oversight and coordination of multiple operational activities.

Question 31

List the **functions** of the strategic level of command.

Answer 31

* Command of overall incident or incidents * Command multiple operational activities * Command community engagement * Command consequence management * Liaison with Executive, government, and media ## Footnote These functions are crucial for managing large-scale incidents with significant implications.

Question 32

What does **steady state policing** describe?

Answer 32

Activities that Police respond to and manage as part of everyday responsibilities ## Footnote This includes routine policing tasks that do not escalate into emergencies.

Question 33

What are **rising tide incidents**?

Answer 33

Incidents that develop from a steady state to become an emergency or major incident over a prolonged period of time ## Footnote Examples include severe weather events such as widespread flooding.

Question 34

What is required for managing **rising tide incidents**?

Answer 34

Careful consideration to ensure the nature of the incident is properly understood and that a proportionate response is applied ## Footnote This approach helps in effectively addressing the evolving situation.

Question 35

Define **spontaneous incidents**.

Answer 35

Incidents that have no warning to develop response or contingency plans ## Footnote These incidents require an initial response even with incomplete information.

Question 36

What is the initial response to a **spontaneous incident** directed towards?

Answer 36

Increasing the level of intelligence or understanding of what has occurred ## Footnote This helps in forming a more informed response as the situation develops.

Question 37

What are **pre-planned operations** in police work?

Answer 37

Operations where police develop a plan and tactics before undertaking an operation ## Footnote The time for advanced notice can vary from several hours to several months or years depending on the event.

Question 38

What can cause a **pre-planned operation** to develop into a **spontaneous incident**?

Answer 38

New or evolving situations, such as opposing groups meeting during a planned demonstration ## Footnote The key distinction between pre-planned and spontaneous responses is time.

Question 39

What does the **Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS)** provide?

Answer 39

A framework of consistent principles, structures, functions, processes, and terminology for incident response ## Footnote CIMS can manage incidents of any scale, involving one agency or a multiagency response.

Question 40

What is the primary goal of **CIMS**?

Answer 40

To coordinate efforts of different agencies in responding to and stabilizing an incident ## Footnote This includes protecting life, property, and the environment.

Question 41

How does **CIMS** allow agencies to operate?

Answer 41

Each agency retains its own command structures and working systems ## Footnote CIMS provides an overarching incident management system that works across all central and local government agencies and emergency services.

Question 42

What is a **warning order**?

Answer 42

A preliminary notice of an order or operation that will follow ## Footnote It allows staff time to prepare and must include the scope of the operation, earliest time staff will be required, and when detailed Orders will be issued.

Question 43

What must a **movement order** include?

Answer 43

* Detailed instructions for control * Assign responsibility and safety * Time, date, and places of assembly, departure, and arrival * Method of travel ## Footnote A movement order is issued by headquarters whenever staff are moved on duty over any distance.

Question 44

What are **Operation Instructions**?

Answer 44

Outlines the general intention of the operation ## Footnote They allow those receiving them to prepare Operation Orders and are usually passed from a higher level of command to a lower level.

Question 45

What do **Operation Orders** cover?

Answer 45

Key headings of GSMEAC: * Ground * Situation * Mission * Execution * Administration and Logistics * Command and Signals ## Footnote Operation Orders come directly from the Controller/Commander and follow a set format.

Question 46

What does the **GSMEAC** acronym stand for?

Answer 46

* Ground * Situation * Mission * Execution * Administration and Logistics * Command and Signals ## Footnote This format is used for issuing Operation Orders.

Question 47

What should be included in the **Ground** section of Operation Orders?

Answer 47

Necessary terrain and makeup of the area to be policed, any risks or hazards, and potential changes over time ## Footnote Relevant distances and factors such as day or night changes will also be highlighted.