Regional Command Support Workshops generate strong interest and support, build command understanding
ACFO Adam Eckley leading a discussion on Command Support arrangements and plans for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
The first six of a series of nationwide Regional Command Support Workshops for senior operational officers, hosted at fire and rescue service headquarters and training centres, and organised by VectorCommand, have been judged big successes by delegates from fire and rescue services from throughout all attending CFOA regions and other guests. Workshops have been held in the East of England, South West, North East, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside and South East regions
At the East of England workshop delegates received a series of well informed presentations on CFOA’s views on national, regional and local command structures, the command implications for fire services of FireLink and Regional Control Centres, and Essex County FRS’s approach to Command Support.
There were also presentations and live demonstrations of VectorCommand’s Command Support System, in both full, Incident Command Unit implementation and the new, man-portable Command Support Pod configuration.
Man-portable wireless communications hub and incident ground camera, components of the Command Support Pod version of the Command Support System
Features of the Command Support System, such as its support and integration of typical command support activities normally done by manual, non-digital and non-wireless methods, were shown during practical, simulated fireground demonstrations.
Future Command Support workshop venues and dates for the New Year confirmed so far are as follows: North West Region – 14 January, Regional Control Centre, Warrington; Wales – Date to be confirmed; West Midlands Region – Date to be confirmed.
Command Support System being demonstrated in a simulated incident at the South West Region Command Support Workshop
In each case the hosting services are providing the venue and working with VectorCommand on developing a programme which meets the specific needs of their CFOA fire region.
The format for the Regional Command Support Workshops is designed to provide delegates with an informative and practical blend of sessions covering the implementation of command doctrine and emerging good practice, with practical demonstrations of the technologies available to support the modern fire ground. VectorCommand’s Command Support System, a new integrated technology platform which supports the building, sharing and maintaining of a Common Operational Picture, across the fireground, and back to strategic officers, is already in use by Royal Berkshire FRS and South Yorkshire FRS, and will soon go live with London Fire Brigade. During the workshops, delegates will have the opportunity to learn the lessons of these major implementations to date, familiarise themselves with the Command Support System and see it used in examples covering all scales of implementation.
States of Jersey FRS Chief Fire Officer Mark James attending the SW Region Command Support Workshop
The workshops are also providing an opportunity for CFOA to address current and emerging issues around implementation of ICS and supporting systems, as well as an opportunity to gauge the views in each region. Chief Fire Officer Mark Smitherman, Director (Operations) for CFOA, is keen to use the workshops to enhance command understanding: “Efficient Command Support is a bedrock issue and is key to the management of safety-critical operations on and off the incident ground. Effective implementation of ICS at all levels is about the right blend of people, process, technology and training.”
Command Support System Pod, with incident ground camera and wireless hub, being demonstrated at the North East Command Support Workshop, Tyne and Wear FRS headquarters, 17 November, 2009
Operational and command support personnel who wish to attend the Command Support Workshops in their region can view locations and dates in the Regional Workshops section on the VectorCommand website and contact VectorCommand through the Contact Us section of the website
