Each of the
emergency services and other agencies which have responsibility to protect the
public, maintain plans and procedures which may be activated in the event of a
major incident to ensure effective response.
Most routine
incidents involve single agencies, carrying out their own clearly defined
functions. A major incident, however, will almost certainly involve a greater
number and variety of agencies, each of which will need to liaise with
and support the other. This demands a system wherein commanders of each
agency can readily identify and communicate with their counterparts.
During
the 1980’s series of inner city disturbances resulted in the development by
the Police of a three-tiered command and control structure known as the Gold,
Silver and Bronze System.
This
reflects the STRATEGIC, TACTICAL AND
OPERATIONAL LEVELS of managing an incident.
The
success of the system has resulted in it being widely extended in scope, and
will be encountered at major incidents of all kinds. It is,
therefore, necessary for the Fire Service to be aware of the structure and
where they may be expected to work within it. The
management levels described do not necessarily pre-determine the rank, or
seniority of the individual discharging the functions, particularly in the
case of the Fire Service.
BRONZE COMMAND (OPERATIONAL LEVEL)
Bronze
Commanders are responsible for overseeing the practical and functional aspects
of operations within their assigned sectors. They operate within parameters set
by Silver Command. In the Fire Service, Bronze Commander may be Sector
Commanders at a large incident, or the Incident Command of a small incident
occurring within a large Police operation.
SILVER
COMMAND (TACTICAL LEVEL)
The Silver Fire Commander will be the Incident Commander and is
responsible for tactical operations at the incident ground.
At major incidents the Operations Commander, will in conjunction with the
Incident Commander, liaise with Silver Commanders of other services, each of
which will have their own command facility
GOLD COMMAND (STRATEGIC LEVEL)
It is the
function of Gold Fire Commander to provide framework within which tactical
officers will work, and to provide support for tactical operations in
the provision and prioritising of resources. Gold Fire Commander will form part
of the Gold Liaison Team co-ordinated by the Chief Constable. This may
be situated at any suitable command location, not necessary near to the
incident, and which may include representatives of the Chief Executive/s of the
District/s involved; Emergency Planning Officers, the military and others. The
Gold Fire Commander will be the Chief Fire Officer, Deputy Chief Fire Officer,
Assistant Chief Fire Officer or Senior Divisional Officer.
