C4 Risk Management Group Ltd

OPERATIONAL BRIEFINGS ( SMEAC )

Unit Standard 6523

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Respond to Emergencies and critical incidents as a security officer

Introduction

This study guide is designed to prepare you for assessment against NZQA Unit Standard 6523 Respond to emergencies & critical situations as a security officer.

This Unit Standard is a compulsory requirement of the National Certificate in Security Level 3 and 4.

This is a knowledge based module with a practical component and can be achieved by completing the following distance learning modules.

1. Introduction to CIMS2. Bomb Threats3. White Powder Threats4. Fire5. Natural Hazards 6. Operational Briefings7. Evacuations8. Practical Assessment

Trainer/Assessor

Your trainer and assessor will issue you this module and give a time frame for it to be completed by.

If you have any questions at any time you can contact your assessor at any time. Once you have completed this module your assessor will discuss this it with you to ensure your knowledge is sufficient to pass assessment.

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Recommended Study Technique

1. Browse or read through this workbook to get the general idea of what it is about.

2. Study each section and complete the Self Assessments at the end of the workbook.

3. Complete the activities indicated at the end of this workbook and hand the evidence to your assessor for marking.

4. You will be advised of any areas that you may require further evidence on

5. You will be advised when you have successfully completed this unit standard.

Note: Operational briefings, debriefings, orders etc are covered in more depth in the Senior Security Officer and Team Leader strands which form part of the National Certificate in Security Level 4. The intention of this module is to provide awareness to all security staff that may receive briefings or orders from their supervisors.

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Briefings & Orders

Introduction

The management of information is the basis for an effective and efficient in security or emergency operation. The response to incidents requires a high level of ability to process information quickly and accurately. It includes the collection, collation, analysis, decision making as well as the dissemination of that information to other people.

Information is communicated both upwards and downwards as well as across to various other individuals, agencies or groups. The information can be conveyed in written or verbal forms.

When written reports are filled in a template is often used. This is done to make the job of completing a report easier for the writer as well as ensuring all the information required is passed on. If the reader knows the template form it is easy for the reader to quickly go to the place they need to find that information.

While supervisors and operational commanders should have an in-depth knowledge of the design and delivery of briefings and orders, all staff receiving the briefings or orders should also have an awareness of the template used.

This template model is the same for briefings and orders. The tool that is used is known by the acronym S.M.E.A.C. and is used by all emergency service personnel in New Zealand.

The tool works the same way as a template incident report. It ensures all the relevant information is available and that the information is transmitted in a way that is easily understood by the receiver. It also makes that information easier to retain or remember. This is obviously very important in a security incident or an emergency.

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Briefings

A briefing is a written or verbal overview of the operation given by the person in charge or commanding the incident or event. Briefings can be formal or informal depending on the nature of the organization, relationship between the members of the group being briefed etc.

The aim of a briefing is to inform all participants of the important aspects of the operation.

Briefings should be clear, direct and be understood by those receiving the information. There is always a time during briefings for questions to be asked to clarify any information to prevent confusion or misunderstandings.

Orders

Orders are the directions used by a supervisor or commander to convey their operational requirements. It is the intention of the supervisor or commander that the directions given in an order are to be obeyed and carried out as requested. The tasks or objectives are normally very clear and specific.

Prior to major events an ‘orders group’ is often carried out by emergency services. Sometimes this is shortened to the term, ‘O Group’.

Orders can be given in written or verbal form. It is very good practice to write down any verbal orders received.

The delivery of impromptu verbal orders on the run is often called ‘quick verbal orders’.

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S.M.E.A.C. Guidelines

The acronym S.M.E.A.C. has been used for many years particularly by the military and police. It is now well known in most emergency service agencies and organisations.

S.M.E.A.C. can be used for written operational briefings and orders as well as impromptu on the spot briefings or orders.

The acronym S.M.E.A.C. standards for;

Situation

This section includes exactly what has happened, where it happened, who is involved and why you are involved. It defines the situation as we know it and identifies the risk and problems involved.

It can also include assumptions that have been made to fill the gap in the knowledge of the situation or in the conditions to be met during the operation.

Mission

This is a clear concise statement of the main objectives or aims of the task to be accomplished. It often begins with “Our mission is to…”. It should involve key words such as evacuation, containment, provide assistance etc

An example might be; “to assist in the evacuation of the council building”. The accuracy of the mission statement can determine the likelihood of success or failure of the plan.

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Execution

This section explains how the aims of the plan will be accomplished. It includes a general outline of how the response will be carried out. It details phases of the operations if appropriate.

Many responses will only need one phase, but for more detailed responses e.g. a riot or hostage situation, responses need to be broken down into several phases.

It will give groupings or team details and include who is in that group, who is in command, what they will be doing, timings etc.

This section will often detail coordinating instructions. These instructions are common to all groups involved in the operation.

Administration and Logistics

This section outlines the support functions that may be needed such as maps, equipment, meals, transport, contact with other agencies and other resources.

Command, Control & Communications

This section outlines all the command and control arrangements including names of the controlling officers and where they are located and where headquarters are located.

The communications information includes contact, call signs, radio frequencies, alternate channels, emergency procedures and any other necessary communication information.

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S.M.E.A.C. used in a briefing

Here is an example of how S.M.E.A.C. can be used. Based on the following scenario a briefing document has been produced using the S.M.E.A.C. model.

At this stage in your development as someone who can respond to emergencies it does not matter if the briefing you develop is entirely real or practical. It is better to write something than to leave it out. Over time the process will become second nature to you and you will modify it to suit your needs.

If your course of study includes the Senior Security or Team Leader strands this topic will be covered in more depth.

Scenario

You have just entered the cafeteria with other security staff when you hear someone shouting in the factory workshop. You go back by yourself to see what is happening. On arrival you find a staff member (Tim) has fallen over and appears to be in excruciating pain. He is holding his back and is unable to answer your questions due to the pain in his lower back. You know that Tim has had previous operations for nerve damage to his lower back. You go back to the other security staff to get assistance.

Write what you would like your verbal briefing to look like. Use the S.M.E.A.C. model;

Situation

I have just found Tim lying out in the factory floor. He is in terrible pain and it seems to be his back playing up again. He’s alive but can’t speak because of the pain. He needs assistance so we all need to work together to help him out.

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Mission

We need to get Tim some medical assistance fast. We will need to contact the ambulance service.

Execution

Bruce you need to contact emergency services immediately. Use your cell phone or the office phone. Make sure you tell them our address. Get back to me and let me know how long they will be.

Dave, I know you are first aid trained, you need to come back with me and we will do what we can for Tim until the ambulance arrives. You others can go and get the first aid kit as well as warn other staff that Tim is lying in the factory.

Administration & Logistic

We will have to stop work in the factory for a while. Right now all we need is the first aid kit. We will need to provide access to the ambulance and their staff members

Command, Coordination and Communications

I will be in charge until the ambulance arrives and they will take over. We don’t need any communications equipment except for Bruce who needs to call 111.

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Activities

1. Read the attached information.

2. Complete the multi-choice test at the back of the module.

3. Complete the three S.M.E.A.C. work sheets and the associated S.M.E.A.C. questions in the Emergencies work book.

4. Check your business or security work site information and plans and see if you can identify the use of the S.M.E.A.C. model

5. Attach all the evidence to your workbook and hand to your assessor once completed.

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Operational Briefings SMEAC Name…………..………………..

Question 1What does letter M in the acronym S.M.E.A.C. stand for?a. Mission readyb. Missionc. Aimd. Objective

Question 2 What does letter C in the acronym S.M.E.A.C. stand for?a. Commandb. Controlc. Commuicationd. Coordination

Question 3 What does letter S in the acronym S.M.E.A.C. stand for?a. Styleb. Situationc. Systematicd. Situational

Question 4 What does letter E in the acronym S.M.E.A.C. stand for?a. Eventfulb. Executionc. Event Managementd. Executive

Question 5 What does letter A in the acronym S.M.E.A.C. stand for?a. Alphab. Advisoryc. Admind. Adminitstraion & Logistics

Question 6 Phone contact numbers are normally found in which section of SMEAC;a. Situationb. Administration & Logisticsc. Executiond. Command, Coordination, Communications

Question 7 Transport and meal requirements are normally found in which section of SMEAC;a. Situationb. Administration & Logisticsc. Executiond. Command, Coordination, Communications

Question 8Impromptu verbal orders inm an emergency are known as;a. Briefingsb. On the spot ordersc. Quick verbal ordersd. Debriefs

Question 9 Briefings can be in written or verbal forms;a. Trueb. False

Question 10 SMEAC is used by most emergency service groups in emergencies ;a. yesb. no

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