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2.5 Local Strategic Level
(i) Terrorism Strategic Co-ordinating Group
Participating organisations/agencies:
Figure 4
The Terrorism Strategic Co-ordinating Group (Terrorism SCG) will be convened by the Police at a Strategic Co-ordinating Centre ( SCC) and will be chaired by the Chief Constable. The SCC is an emergency control facility, normally located at police headquarters, which is already designated and equipped for the purposes of managing such incidents.
The Terrorism SCG may comprise of Strategic Level representatives from the other emergency services together with senior representatives from the military, Scottish Government, UK Government, Security Services and other agencies. The Group will establish communication links with the Home Office via the Cabinet Office Briefing Room ( COBR) and with the Scottish Government via SEER. Where required, it will establish specialist groups or 'cells' to provide expert advice. At the outset, this group will co-ordinate an effective multi-agency response and will give strategic direction on matters such as:
- protecting life;
- identifying the risk and wider implications of the incident;
- containing and minimising the impact on people, the environment and vital infrastructure;
- evacuation and public order;
- search and rescue;
- medical assistance;
- locating and disrupting or rendering safe any CBRN device;
- informing the public and maintaining public confidence;
- deployment of specialist personnel and resources;
- gathering information on the suspected CBRN hazard; and
- liaising with the UK Government and Scottish Government to inform a communications plan (media and public information).
More detailed information on the role and responsibilities of the SCG is given in the "Counter Terrorist - Contingency Planning Guidance" document issued by the Home Office.
(ii) Consequence Management Strategic Co-ordinating Group
Participating organisations/agencies:
Figure 5
Terrorist incidents may have significant impacts on the public and require the activation of existing major incident arrangements. In these circumstances, a multi agency Consequence Management Strategic Co-ordinating Group will be formed in line with existing major incident arrangements. The chair of this Group will also sit on the Terrorism Strategic Coordinating Group.
In the initial emergency stage this group may be chaired by an Assistant Chief Constable or other Senior Police Officer appointed by the Chief Constable. This group will provide strategic direction for consequence management on both response and recovery issues.
In terms of site clearance, this group will give strategic direction on matters such as:
- public protection, the environment and vital infrastructure/ CNI;
- health and safety (public and staff);
- expenditure;
- engaging with the community and warning and informing the public;
- prioritisation of work streams;
- sites of cultural or architectural significance;
- social and economic impact assessment;
- maintenance and restoration of critical services;
- approval of a Health and Safety Plan ( HASP), a Decontamination Strategy and Site Clearance Plan;
- selection and engagement of specialist contractors;
- sanctioning the re-use and re-occupation of the affected areas; and
- approving and overseeing a long-term site monitoring strategy.
Membership of the Consequence Management Strategic Coordinating Group will comprise of chief officers and senior representatives from Category 1 and key Category 2 responders together with liaison officers from the Scottish Government. Specialist advisors such as the Government Decontamination Service 8 will also, as required, participate on this Group. Informed decision making by the Group will be supported by the Tactical level groups, including public health, environment, scientific, technical and operational advice and analysis provided by the Science & Technical Advice Cell ( STAC).
In time, as the incident response progresses from the emergency phase to the site stabilisation and site clearance phase, responsibility for the overall coordination of the Tactical groups may transfer to the Local Authority Chief Executive in whose local authority area the incident has occurred or by agreement if more than one area is involved. The timing of the handover will be agreed by the Chief Constable and the Chief Executive.
THIS CHAPTER TO BE REVIEWED BY DECEMBER 2009
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