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Annex K Role of Regional Operations Director ( ROD)
1. A ROD will be appointed whose principal role will be co-ordination of all local agencies and input into the Disease Strategy Group. The ROD will manage all non-veterinary aspects of the LDCC. The ROD will work alongside the local DVM and will report to the DSG.
2. A ROD will be pre-identified and deployed immediately HPAI/ ND is suspected. The precise deployment will be sensitive to the circumstances at the time.
Role:
- To protect the interests of Scottish Ministers in the execution of policy and decisions taken by the DSG.
- To provide the link between the DSG and operations on the ground, and to ensure decisions taken by the DSG are implemented on the ground.
- To establish the LDCC and ensure that all non-veterinary assistance required by the DVM is provided.
Responsibilities:
- Take over from ROD and establish LDCC: ensure suitable accommodation, communication infrastructure, and personnel in place. (In liaison with DVM and Local Authority).
- Allocation of non-veterinary staff to all necessary functions.
- Administrative support to DVM and oversee the following areas:
- disease control measures (e.g. Infected Area)
- cleansing and disinfection (logistics)
- valuation of stock and other items for which compensation may be paid
- disposal programme (logistics including transport and routes)
- slaughter or vaccination (logistics)
- personnel issues
- financial arrangements
- general procurement of resources
- information technology
- communications.
- Liaison with local Stakeholders, Local Authorities, Police and contractors.
- General trouble shooting.
- Media liaison.
- Visits: ensuring that DSG is made aware in advance of visits of dignitaries etc, and managing such visits
- Liaise with core disposal stakeholders to consider issues surrounding using burning and burial as disposal options.
Includes: SE Environment Group, SE Health Department, SE Lawyers, SEPA, Local Authority, FSA, Vets, Hauliers, Emergency Planning.
- In addition, ensure that SEPA is consulted about environmental impacts of e.g. C&D burial.
- Ensure systems in place to capture financial data in relation to culling and disposal.
- To meet at least once a year with the local DVMs.
3. The ROD will establish the local LDCC Management Control Team comprising all relevant local regulating bodies that will meet on a daily basis. (See Section 2).
4. The ROD will also establish a local Stakeholders group. (See Section 2).
5. If there is more than one outbreak in Scotland, each LDCC will have a ROD assigned to it. One of the RODs will be appointed as ROD Scotland.
Additional ROD Scotland Responsibilities:
- Establish links with local RODs - set up systems to share information and identify pinch points/share best practice/provide support.
- Provide input into DSG relating to operational policy, feed policy decisions out to RODs ( ROD Scotland will be the ROD representative on the DSG).
- Liaise with NDCC Disposal team as and when required to maximise efficiency of disposal.
- Negotiate in Scotland or liaise with NDCC Procurement Cell to ensure access to Renderers/incinerators/landfill sites/hauliers in line with GB contracts and agree capacities/day and cost.
In the event of a single centre outbreak, the ROD automatically takes on the ROD Scotland responsibilities.
Timing
6. The ROD has responsibility for ensuring that decisions taken by the DSG are put into effect, working as necessary with SVS personnel, agricultural staff, Local Authorities, regulators, contractors, local Community representatives and other relevant Stakeholders. The ROD will ensure that suitable accommodation and communication infrastructure is in place quickly, which is why it is important for him to be deployed as soon as there is suspicion of a disease outbreak.
7. The relationship between the DVM and the ROD is critical to the success of the handling of an outbreak. It is for the ROD to ensure that the DVM receives whatever administrative support is required and to establish appropriate disposal routes for slaughtered animals, taking into account DSG policy on disposal options.
Day 1 Tasks
- Travel to Animal Health Office closest to outbreak
- Establish LDCC Management Control Team to review critical roles and functions, including Infected Area arrangements (for membership see Section 2)
- Mobilise transport contractor from approved list
- Ensure sufficient slaughter teams and other personnel and equipment to meet slaughter targets
- Investigate disposal routes
- Establish contact with NDCC
- Establish contact with Scottish Executive Press Office
- Assess what supporting resources will be required
- Report to DSG outlining Day 2 priorities.
8. It is likely that the ROD will very quickly require support following his initial deployment. At the very minimum, within a matter of days of taking up the position, it is likely he will require the support of:
1 Deputy ROD (at C1 level)
1 Finance Manager
Press Desk support
1 Personnel Manager (depending on size of LDCC)
Assorted Administrative support (2 B2, 2 A3, 2 A1)
9. The provision of suitable accommodation and IT support should already be in hand through Local Contingency Plans. However, it is important for the ROD to ensure that he is satisfied with those arrangements once on the ground. An important aspect of the ROD support structure is the need to capture information that will be needed following the outbreak.
10. If and when military involvement commences, the ROD will liaise with the army commander to ensure that Army personnel are appropriately used and that there is mutual agreement as to what will be expected of them.
Other Scottish Executive Services
11. The ROD will want to ensure that he organises instant access to relevant specialist skills within the Scottish Executive. These include Personnel, IT, Finance and accountancy services, statistical support, Estates Services, Purchasing and Contracts, Quantity Surveyors, Waste Management Engineers, Registry expertise, etc. These should be called upon as necessary when dealing with the consequences and problems of eliminating the disease.
Communications
12. There are wider communications issues that the ROD is required to address. Communication to DSG and NDCC, Ministers, MPs and MSPs, and to the media, the local community and its representatives (Councillors and Community Councillors), members of the public, and others who express interest or concern about the operations.
Visits
13. The ROD/deputy ROD will be expected to arrange and accommodate visits by national politicians and others.
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