Multi-Agency Rescue Scenario is a unique exercise and interactive event taking place at Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service's training headquarters, Belfast on March 15-16, 2011, incorporating the world-renowned International Joint Operations Command Conference 

 

The Multi-Agency Rescue Scenario (MARS) is an exclusive concept developed by FIRE magazine, in partnership with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and command and control exercise specialists VectorCommand. MARS will feature a simulated major catastrophic incident leading to multiple disaster scenarios and a multi-agency response. The interactive strategic-level event will be the first of its kind - anywhere in the world - in testing standard operating procedures.

Running alongside MARS will be the International Joint Operations Command Conference (IJOCC) - the world's premier event for senior emergency managers, commanders and policy makers, which always features a distinguished international panel of speakers (visit www.fire-magazine.com for updates).

IJOCC will be integral to the simulation exercise with speakers and facilitators using live footage of Silver and Gold Command decision-making to raise points of discussion and encourage debate.

The combined event is the first of its kind anywhere in the world - a high-level strategic conference interacting with a simulation of a major catastrophe. Delegates will have a unique opportunity to listen to the global experts in incident command and emergency management, whilst observing a disaster scenario unfold.

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Attending MARS 

The Multi-Agency Rescue Scenario is a unique learning opportunity for all incident commanders and strategic decision-makers with a responsibility for emergency planning.

The exercise will be facilitated by experts from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service using VectorCommand software and will be conducted in a secure and supportive environment. Delegates can choose to test their incident command expertise at Gold and Silver Command, or observe and comment upon proceedings.

The Multi-Agency Rescue Scenario will run alongside the highly-regarded global strategic convention, the International Joint Operations Command Conference, which has hosted delegates and speakers from around the world - including chief officers and chief executives from as far afield as Australia.

Delegates will have the opportunity to attend the conference and/or the exercise, where they will be able to pursue the following:

  • Observe a multi-agency response to a major incident and validate standard operating procedures to a protracted incident
  • Test Silver and Gold Commands at which emergency services and civil contingency agencies work together to address issues of such an incident
  • Allow strategic commanders to observe and comment upon decision-making and processes in a controlled environment unfolding during a complex and protracted major emergency incident
  • Test a simulated exercise to ascertain which methodology provides the best audit trail and learning outcomes 
  • Fully validate the standard operating procedures for your organisation
  • Facilitate a unique learning experience for strategic managers  
  • Provide the opportunity for external delegates to examine the procedures and decision-making processes involved in a major operational emergency and to interact with silver and gold commanders to tease out why, where and when decisions were taken
  • Provide a full audit trail and learning outcomes for delegates to assist in the formation of subsequent standard operating procedures.

 

Who Should Attend?

  • Senior and principal police, fire and ambulance officers
  • Emergency planning officers
  • Elected officials
  • Local government officials
  • Central government officials
  • Emergency service consultants and advisors
  • Incident commanders
  • Emergency responder agencies
  • Third sector and partner agencies
  • Strategic managers and leaders with an interest in emergency planning
  • Disaster management specialists.

 

The Simulated Scenario 

The major incident, spread over two days, involves a military plane transporting an unknown cargo exploding over a city centre. A number of scenarios will occur across the city, including: hazmat, DIM and CBRNe response, as well as traditional firefighting, water rescue, extrication and urban search and rescue activities.

Responders will be alerted from fire, police and ambulance services, as well as partner agencies from within the health and voluntary sectors. Firefighters and emergency responders will turn up from across the UK to practice their standard operating procedures and multi-agency response.

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International Joint Operations Command Conference 

Themes to be covered during the conference will include:

  • Crisis response to international disaster scenarios
  • Inter-agency working: optimal partnerships in incident command
  • CBRNe: security threat assessment
  • Substance identification and technical support to escalating risk
  • Body recovery and large-scale casualty handling
  • Incident command compatibility and coordination
  • Evidence collation and adaptation to evolving terrorist threat
  • Environmental impact
  • Aviation security and the international response to the global threat
  • Medical resilience and models for emergency response
  • Border security: international command and control considerations.

 

Interactive Conference and Exercise 

A simulated Gold and Silver Command exercise will be enacted at Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service's training centre. Utilising state of the art simulation software video links to the command suites will allow strategic level commanders to observe and comment upon activity at Silver and Gold Command.

While expert role players enact various courses of action, delegates will have the opportunity to question and challenge the experts during 'time outs' overseen by an expert commentator. Conference delegates can observe the scenario and use the exercise to question the practitioners, and comment upon the responses as the exercise unfolds.

Television screens will relay updates on the various scenarios with the role plays being frozen at key points to discuss possible courses of actions.

 

The Purpose of MARS 

  • To test a multi-agency response to a major incident and validate standard operating procedures in a protracted incident
  • To put into place Silver and Gold Commands at which emergency services and civil contingency agencies work together to address issues of such an incident
  • Allow strategic commanders to exercise in a controlled environment and the command decisions and function necessary to mitigate and control a complex and protracted major emergency incident.

 

The Outcomes of MARS 

  • To test a simulated exercise to ascertain which methodology provides the best audit trail and learning outcomes 
  • Fully validate the standard operating procedures of all of the organisations involved.
  • Facilitate a learning experience for strategic managers
  • Provide the opportunity for external delegates to examine the procedures and decision-making processes involved in a major operational emergency and to interact with silver and gold commanders to tease out why, where and when decisions were taken
  • Provide a full audit trail and learning outcomes for both the participants and delegates to assist in the formation of subsequent standard operating procedures.

 

To book your place at MARS contact: info@pavpub.com; tel: 0844 880 5061; fax 0844 880 5062.