The Establishment of an Incident Command System in Buncefield - Case Study Example

Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Incident command Abstract Some series of explosions occurred during the early hours of December 2005 Buncefield. These kinds of explosions were caused by fire which ended up in damaging wide spread of properties at those places and at the neighboring areas. This incident of explosion damaged fuel tanks which most of them were of large storage capacity. In spite of the issue, several people were injured during the incidence but no one died. This led to damage of the properties for both commercial and for residents at the sites of near the Buncefield. This fire continued for some days continuing to damage Buncefield site and smoke of large plume being emitted all over. Aims/objectives Find reasons for establishment of incident command system in large scale incidents. Levels needed to deal with large scale incidents. Find the risks and the possible actions to be taken. Identify roles of certain agencies that could have been involved during the explosion. Know the importance of agencies, media and ways of communication during such incidences. Introduction This project is carried out for the purpose of constructing a report which is to be presented at a certain meeting. This report should be in a position of covering the following aspects; the reasons for establishing incident command systems, other levels of command that can be used to deal on large incidents such as this explosion, to discuss the appropriate risks and the actions to be taken, identify the roles and the responsibilities of the other agencies which could have been involved during that fire and finally know the importance of working together with media and different agencies when such incidents occur and know means of managing communication. Reasons for Establishing Incident Command Systems. During the incidences such as this one which happened at Buncefield, it’s always advised for an organization or a fuel storage company to establish incident command systems. Incident command systems are those organizations which are meant to deal with the cases of fire incase they happen. These systems are managed by people who fight or deal with the cause of that fire. They normally go to point of causal. In cases where fire occurs, most of the people around that site look to be out of their mind due to inhaling of smoke. Under this, massive loss of properties are lost and also loss of lives. In relation to this, it is always advised that, the first person to have seen this should relax and always try to establish incident systems. This is because these systems will normally rescue a lot if informed earlier (US DHHS, FDA, NIOSH. FDA and NIOSH, 231-67). They first of all head to find the causal factor. This makes case much easier for then to save some other properties and lives of people. Another reason for a company to establish these systems are that, they are experienced therefore knows the best materials for using to extinguish fire. Most people prefer using water but as we know water has oxygen therefore instead of putting off fire it increases it. In liaison to this, these systems have their ways of overcoming these incidences by either using carbon (IV) oxide (Allied HealthCare Products, 234-98). These systems also are well planned, organized and equipped for handling of these incidences. This means they have all the materials for keeping off fire. Their minds are always focused and relaxed. In this way, they are in a position of performing their work in a more simplified way. Another reason for informing these systems is that they normally work under one suggestion. This means that, when they decide to work on the causal factor them all head there. But people from outside, who will try work on this incident, won’t work under one brain but instead everyone will do as he/she thinks. In this case some will be spreading fire instead of putting it off. These systems also are well preferred because they rescue lives of people by giving them first aid. As others are dealing with the fire, others are special there for giving first aid and if possible to take them for further treatment. The most important issue in these cases of fire is to save the lives of people and to rescue the properties. Most people mislay their lives for the reason that of lack of first aid and the transportation vehicles. Incident command systems are paid so they perform their work to their best for them to get good cash. These systems work to their best and in any case when these incidents happen, they are very responding to the calls or alarms. They also help incases of theft because some people from outside always take an advantage of this by going ahead and stealing. These systems apart from doing first aids, they also have their security which normally surround around the areas of fire to protect intruders from entering those areas. in connection to this it means that apart from rescuing they also protect properties from being stolen. Command systems have machines which are much faster and powerful therefore in large industries it needs these to help put out the fire faster. Also should establish these systems because they have all kind of services. This means that even if people are inside the burning houses, they can be supplied with the necessary equipments for their protection. Large scale organizations have some chocking and exploding gases. These gases need to handle with great care otherwise they can lead mass destruction of properties and equipments. In relation to this, command systems have ways of handling all this in a proper way. They contain materials for avoiding these explosions. This is the reason why it is good to establish command systems. These extinguishers are people are of high class and mostly trained people specialty handles these cases. These command system might be able to know the cause of fire and possible propose a solution to avoid future occurring of it again (NIOSH, 354-76). Levels needed to deal with large scale incidents These levels of command are those actions to take place during the rescuing process from when the command systems are informed till the stage when all the actions take place. These levels of command can be like the format or the plan. The first one can be the communication between the affected people or between the Good Samaritan and the incident command system. The first case is where the command system is informed and here there is a serious talk which it doesn’t take long before they arrive to that place of incident after informed of the place where the fire has occurred (Allied HealthCare Products, 234-98). Action is the other level which works in liaison with large scale incidents. After communication is finished, action has to take place and here, the rescuing team collects its materials, to head to place where the incident has occurred. In here everyone around this site of fire is taken away of this place for the extinguishers to deal easily with the fire. The action of putting of fire in the affected areas takes place. This is done till the whole of this fire goes off. Another level which can work with large scale is rescue (emergency). This involves a lot of cases where there is rescuing lives of people and properties. The injured people here are given first aid due to injuries and inhaling of some other gases. The most injured people are taken to hospitals for further treatment. During these incidences of fire also some intruders take advantage of stealing to others. The rescue squad known as security is set which protects properties from being stolen or intruders from stealing from others. This security is normally in control till the fire goes off. After this they are normally supposed to take some properties out the affected place and keep the in a good position. All the damaged properties and injured people, in short they are under the rescue level (Allied HealthCare Products, 234-98). Also these levels which can be used in large scale are cooperation. Fire needs corporation to be able to deal with area where the fire started. If the fire fighters do not cooperate it becomes much difficult for them to put of the fire. Security should also be enough to avoid disturbance in the site where fire fighters are working. if security is not enough it is advisable for the police to take part in those areas to help overcome that incident. Rules and regulations should also be considered in those grounds where fire fighters are working. Any one breaking the rules should be dealt with because he might be the cause of that fire. In today’s fast growing industrialized society, fire incidences are a common phenomenon both in the industries as well as in residential areas. To be precise, neither the urban town set up nor the rural countryside, the estates nor the industries can be considered safe from fire incidences. The world statistics has recorded large numbers of fire emissions, causing mass destruction of property and leaving human casualties and explanations have been given highlighting the ever increasing sources of large scale fires that ranges from the overloading of the power electric lines to the mysterious large forests fires. In extreme cases, careless disposal of litter has made households to pay huge costs in stopping the fire, rebuilding devastated property and loss of lives (NIOSH, 354-76). Since the fire incidences have been reported to have been devastating not only to the public, families, property and the nation, it also has the eventual damages to the environment. The majority of explanations about the causes of global warming and the current climatic change come from the emission of dangerous gases into the atmosphere are a result of human activities that encompasses burning as well as unexpected fires. This should be the highest risk that should motivate the various stakeholders in eliminating every possibility of the occurrence and putting to control the exploded fires. This necessitates the need to employ accurate assessment measures that would elicit appropriate action plans to combat the incidences when they occur. This is of great value to the government, citizens as well as the entrepreneurs in preparation for the occurrence of a fire. To evaluate the risks of a fire there are several factors that are considered. First, there ought to be an effort to establish the causes of the fire. This will go a extensive way in giving appropriate solutions in stopping the further spread. Whereas some fire incidences prove to be extremely beyond the control of available human, most of them result from causes that are manageable using the available mechanisms like firefighters, possession of fire blankets among others. In the case of Buncefield fire the causes of the first fire was not established and controlled thus it spread to explode in the large fuel storage tanks which caused further destruction. Fires caused by aluminum surfaced oxygen regulators used by fire fighters have proved to be more dangerous than can be imagined. Second the location of the fire incidents. All fires incidents in all locations should be controlled and managed. The challenge that is most faced in experienced in most fire incidences in the rural countryside and forests is the distance away from the nearest fire control equipment. This has I some cases left irreparable damages since very little could be done to savor the damaged property. This is common with bush fires and fires in rural homes and could be a result of wild fires, exposure to dangerous fuels due to poor storage of the same. This demands several measures that should empower the community in the importance of preparation for fire incidences in the case on such occurrences like installation of smoke alarms to give early warnings of fire, having fire blankets, proper disposal of extinguished cigarettes and litter, owning a fire extinguisher as well as avoiding overloads of sockets. This help to control a fire by the community without necessarily waiting for the firefighters to intervene. Third is the magnitude of the damage. Fires on industries, large extent of property and large residential areas demand immediate intervention since human lives are at risk, economic and technological development will be greatly be affected. The environment is also at great risk and could have long-term negative effects on the climate. It is therefore necessary for the industries to develop mechanisms that ensures safety of the equipment as well as people especially in cases of those that use volatile equipment like explosives. These could include inbuilt regulatory systems like alarms, networks for communicating the danger for relevant action and the steps that can be taken to control fires known to the occupants (NIOSH, 354-76). These parameters need to be communicated to the community, government agencies and the various rescue teams and collaboration among them is required to combat this problem. The participation of these groups of people is essential in ensuring effecting fire incident control that is always needed onsite. Duties and Responsibilities of the Organizations The response to fire incidences and control of their occurrences should not only be the responsibility of the fire fighters but also the government and the communities affected. This requires efforts and cooperation among the stakeholders in terms of making necessary signals to the fighters, taking immediate intervention measures and conducting rescue actions and putting out the fire. Fire incidences have grown to be the concern of both commercial and industrial sectors that are the major victims of the same. Safety from the fire is a goal that community based organizations, rescue teams and the fire fighters. In America, most efforts have been geared towards community safety and security programmes which has focused on the police interaction with the community and encompassing the fire safety as well. The related government departments like The National Fire Prevention Council(NFPC) are also involved as they offer education to the public on the roles of striving for public safety. The Civil Defense Executive Committee moves around their regions as they zoom hotspots, making house to house visits in places that share rubbish damping sites that could cause unexpected fires. They also put up educational posters in fire prone buildings to create awareness to the communities to enhance their safety and security. Also involved are organizations such as The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH), the United States Food and Drug Administration(USFDA), and an independent forensic investigator to examine fire incidents and recommend appropriate measures to prevent the next occurrence. This category of the model is appropriate for such on site fire incidences as Buncefield. This involves: The awareness creation and equipping the citizens as well as encouraging readiness for fire occurrences by the government and relevant organizations for example creating programme slots on the local radio stations where local fire fighters will be in attendance to offer advice and give out leaflets and posters in relation to fire prevention. Taking steps like offering education and information to the public on the need to take personal safety and security from fires seriously Others are charged with the role of intervening on time during fire incidences. Conducting investigations and strategizing on effective fire incidence management. (Injury Prevention 2001;7(Suppl I):i34–37) Role of Liaisons among the Media and the Modes of Communication During Fire Incidences Fire incidences like that of Buncefield are a common scene in both developed and developing countries and they differ in magnitude and extent. When they go uncontrolled, they may destroy property of great worth. Since the destruction and damage affect the human person, effective communication and network between the community and the stakeholders. The media contributes to a major task in giving the information on emergency cases like fire incidences. This should occur as soon as the occurrence starts as the public is made aware of the danger that is around the fire scene. This information should serve the fire fighters and the rescuers that are both significant in offering intervention in such scenes. This information is also significant in the case of human casualties in terms of injury or death as it helps the hospitals to send emergency vehicles to transport them to treatment centers (NIOSH, 354-76). The media is also significant in passing the relevant safety tips and education to the public on the ways of ensuring personal safety and security for fire incidences. This is possible when it liaises with the firefighters, rescuers and the relevant organizations in creating public awareness on the fire incidences. The challenge that this poses comes from the rescuers and fire fighters who take long to reach the scene which increases the damages of controllable fire scenes. The information may also take long to reach these groups and thus limiting their efforts to reduce the damage that the flames causes (NIOSH, 354-76). In conclusion fire incidences can be classified as accidents just like the car, plane and industrial accidents. They are unexpected and therefore requires full time preparedness to be able to combat effectively. The case of Buncefield is a typical example that occurred at 6 a.m. when one least expected. Even when one has all the requirements needed to be safe from fire and following all the prescribed methods and procedures, no one knows when disaster strikes. Works cited US DHHS, FDA, NIOSH. FDA and NIOSH. Public Health Advisory. Explosions as wel as fires in the aluminum-oxygen regulators. Food & Drug Administration & National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Washington, DC: 1999 NIOSH,Division of Safety Research. Oxygen regulator flash severely burns on fire fighter—Florida, firefighter fatality report 98F-23.National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Morgantown, WV: 1999 NIOSH, Emergency medical technician receives serious burns from an oxygen regulator flash fire—South Carolina, fire fighter fatality report 98F-24. Morgantown, WV: NIOSH, Division of Safety Research. 1999 NIOSH Aluminum regulator fire injures one fire fighter—Nevada, fire fighter fatality report 99f-07. Morgantown, WV: NIOSH, Division of Safety Research, 1999. Allied HealthCare Products. Recall of LSP oxygen regulators. St Louis, MO: Allied HealthCare Products, 1999. Read More