New, Now, and Next
Often, when a No-Notice emergency Incident begins, the most difficult transition for responders is when they hyper-focus on executing the current-operational objectives, “boots on the ground” work, without being able to simultaneously shift attention to the future-operations planning process.
To properly assess, take a moment to ask yourself, am I working in the NOW or NEXT? Where are we in the emergency-response-timeline? What are we not thinking of NOW, that is going to bite us if we don’t plan properly for the NEXT?
Recognizing that “NOW” most often includes everyone that responds directly to the scene and is assigned within the Hot Zone (Operations Section) with the responsibility of immediate Life Safety and Incident Stabilization assignments. In the initial moments and hours of an incident, operational assets typically arrive on readily deployable “code-3 capable” mobile platforms, such as first-responder and specialty vehicles, and command and re-supply units.
Clearly, operational life safety priorities are the highest priority focus at the beginning of every emergency and focusing on here and now is imperative. However, for any ongoing incident that is not immediately stabilized, within a few hours, requires symbiotic primary and secondary responsibilities. To do this well, leaders must purposefully lean forward and begin forecasting into the “NEXT” operational period. This includes such things as rehabilitation, replacement personnel, additional equipment, supplies, technical specialists, proper work-rest cycles, shift changes, and more. These are examples of critically important needs, although not issues that can distract the Operations Section.
Therefore, simultaneously, Planning Section personnel, which include EOC and emergency management coordination and support personnel, must proactively push the planning process forward, out of the stem and into the body of the Planning-P. This is the transitional moment where “NOW” and “NEXT” meet head-on and awkwardly overlap for a while. It is here where development of formal longer-term Incident Priorities, Management and Control Objectives meet, and begin to formulate Strategy, then Tactics, then Tasks, into a comprehensive Incident Action Plan (IAP) process.
A more frequent and common variant from a No-Notice Incident is a Planned Event. Planned Events are NEW known occurrences, and are announced or designated sometime in the future, allowing for discretionary planning time without incident time-pressures, and behind-the-eight-ball decisions. This “Left of Boom” extra time allows for efficient and purposeful design of personnel staffing plans, coordinated preparation, ordering, and staging of necessary equipment, people, and supplies.
Furthermore, this time allows for intentional planning in the case of any unfortunate Incident Within the Event (IWE) occurrence. This, then affords for a smooth escalation of response, and transition from “NEW to NOW and NEXT” compatible Incident Action Planning process.
Troy Lutrick
ICS Consultants LLC