Feedback from Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in the Philippines

One of the goals for the volunteer work through the Corporate Service Corps (CSC) was not only to offer the training and exercise evaluation locally, but also enable them to teach others and sustain the work we did this past summer.

It was great to offer training while we were there, but will they use these lessons to teach others?

Last week, we received the following email from a representative of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in the Philippines.

"The activities that we've been through had greatly improved the level of preparedness, response and awareness of the government other private organizations. The Police Regional Office headed by BGen Andres G Caro II had ordered and directed last October that all Chiefs of Police of the 4 Provinces, 9 cities and 46 municipalities to undergo a 3-Day ICS and Crisis Management Training to enhance and improved their level of consequence management in any event. (We) were the main trainers for this.

All is well here and we really appreciate the lessons you imparted to us in the series of activities that we been through. Thank you......."

Good Morning from Showcase Ontario - Downtown Toronto

Thank you everyone who attended the "Stop! We Have An Emergency! Lessons Learned from a Global Citizen" featured presentation this morning at Showcase Ontario.

Please send an email if you are interested in receiving a copy of the presentation.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Incident Command System (ICS) and other material is also available.

We will also be in the exhibit area, in IBM Booth 701, this afternoon and tomorrow, if you would like to see a demonstration or talk more about the topic.

And remember when developing a system, are you including your citizens in the planning process? And do all of your systems integrate together? And if there was an emergency, would you know?

Also make sure to stop by the Emergency Management Ontario booth.

Regional Disaster Coodinating Council Takes Lead In Rescue Efforts - Mindanao Times

In the past few weeks, Col. Verner Monsanto was featured in this blog for his efforts leading Central 911 and the Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council. According to front page reports from multiple newspapers, Col. Verner Monsanto took the lead in response and recovery efforts for the recent military plane incident.

One of the stories can be found at: http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=21488

Who would have ever thought that so soon after all the Incident Command System (ICS) training and exercises that so many of the different organizations we worked with would need to come together.

"If I look back at all the time I spent with you, your people, and the many organizations you touch, I would have never thought that so many of them would come together so soon to respond to such an incident. We can look back at all the people who have seen the video "Who's In Charge" and they all know with you as the Incident Commander, the people of Davao and Samal should be proud of the leadership, professional responders, volunteers, and many prepared disaster response organizations."

Jumping In (To The Port) Head First

Planning and Conduct of Maritime Security Exercise

Last week, there was the opportunity to participate in a planning session for a country level full scale exercise that will be held in December at the port.

When conducting an exercise, it is important not to jump right in and conduct a full scale exercise. There are other things that should be done along the way, including having memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in place, as well as, other forms of exercises.

A list of HSEEP Exercise Types can be found at: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/DEMO/php/HSEEPExerciseTypes2.pdf

In addition, it is important with the transition to the Incident Command System (ICS), that all of those who are involved in the exercise are also fully aware and trained in ICS.

Enabling Those To Enable Others

During our time in the Philippines, there was also the opportunity to conduct multiple train-the-trainer (T3) sessions. Some of the topics included:

• IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System
• IS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS-244: Developing and Managing Volunteers
• IS-317: Introduction to Community Emergency Response Teams
• IS-650: Building Partnerships with Tribal Governments
• IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• IS-701: NIMS Multiagency Coordination Systems
• IS-800: National Response Framework
  
  
• ICS-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
• ICS-400: Advanced ICS Command and General Staff - Complex Incidents
  
  
• HSEEP: Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program
• CERT: Community Emergency Response Team

Many of the resources for these courses can be found in prior blog entries or in the right frame under "Relates Websites".

Say, Hear, Do... No really go do it!

Throughout our time here in the Philippines, I had the opportunity to teach several train-the-trainer (T3) courses.

Pictured below are some of the trainers from Central 911, teaching the senior year nursing students at Doctor's College.

Throughout our discussions, trainning sessions, exercises, mentoring, and other activities, there was one message that was regularly conveyed. It is important to "Say, Hear, Do".

An instructor or mentor can get up in front of an audience and "Say" their message. We can have the audience "Hear" what we say. But it is up to YOU to "Do".

We have presented many skills to help enable the people of the region. It is now time for you to enable yourselves and share this with others.

Yesterday, during the final exam in disaster management and the mass casualty incident (MCI) drill, we did just that with the students.

As pictured with some of the students below, we took the learning to a new level, where I played a victim instructor, adding to the learning, not only for the students but also for the instructors from Central 911.

While it was extremely fun for everyone involved, there were several key learning messages that everyone took away. It was also a great opportunity to see several of the trainers, who were teaching, to see them take the Incident Command System (ICS) and teach it to others.

This group of future nurses is now better prepared for an MCI. "Job Well Done!" to both the students and instructors. And what ever you do, always remember to "Take It Up A Notch" and always reach for your goals.

Thank you again to the Doctor's College instructor (who is a Philippines National Red Cross Volunteer as well), the instructors of Central 911, and all the students, for letting me be a part of this class.

ICS and CERT Training On The Other Side Of The World - Still The Same Message

Pictured above is Col. Mario Verner Monsanto, Chief Operations Officer, Central Communications and Emergency Response Center (Central 911) and Executive Officer of the city Disaster Coordinating Council. He presented an orientation on disaster management and introduced my sessions.

We had the opportunity to present the following classroom based courses:

• IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System
• IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), An Introduction
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

As many of the participants are already experienced responders, there was limited focus on the hands on portion of the class.

We joked that I was transported to the training via a motorcade, as pictured below.

In attendance were representatives from Central 911 leadership, City Disaster Coordinating Council, Philippines National Red Cross, United Nations, barangay, multiple rescue groups, church based organizations, and other representatives.

Part of the discussions were about working together.

A challenge was presented to all the barangay to spend 1 hour with another barangay response team in an informal setting. Doing something like basketball or anything. This would provide the opportunity for neighbors to get to know neighbors as their barangay are right next to each other. A very simple challenge with a year for them to complete. Everyone agreed that even getting people together for this type of training and really getting to know each other goes a long way.

A Beginning, Not an End

Yesterday was the culmination and award ceremonies for National Consciousness Month. It was a true honor to be part of the festivities.

During this past month, we had the opportunity to participate and evaluate the following tabletops, exercises, and drills. In addition, taught several classes and train-the-trainer sessions.

• Central 911/Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council (DCDCC) Corporate Service Corps (CSC) Kickoff Meeting
• DCDCC/City Fire and Bomb Drill Tabletop Exercise - Final Planning Meeting
• RDCC Samal Island Water Rescue Exercise Tabletop Exercise - Final Planning Meeting
• DCDCC/City Fire IOC Fire Drill - Evaluator
• DCDCC/City Fire DTI Bomb Drill - Evaluator
• High School Earthquake Exercise, Evaluator
• Inter-Barangay First Aid Competition
• G402 Executive ICS and International Best Practices Training Session - DCDCC Executive Committee - Instructor
• Barangay Leaders Incident Command System (ICS) Train-the-trainer and International Best Practices Training Session - Instructor

These are just some of the many events that took place as part of National Consciousness Month.

Congratulations to all those that received awards.

ICS Training for Barangay Captains

We welcome the Barangay Captains who participated in the Incident Command System (ICS) train-the-trainer session to the "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" blog.


The "G402 Incident Command System (ICS) Overview for Executives/Senior Officials and Download Materials" can be found at:
http://training.fema.gov/STCourses/crsdesc_spec.asp?courseid=G402

The video shown was the Hats of Incident Management: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6iIz3tl5Vw

Several of the materials discussed in the course can be found in the right column on this blog, under "Related Websites".

The additional resources, including forms and other training material, from FEMA can be found at: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/ICSResource/index.htm

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send an email.

How often do we say... we need more vests?

In many countries, departments order vests. Lots of vests. Different colors. Different wording.

Vests, vest, and more vests.

However, in some areas of the world there may be no clear identification for key leadership positions. At times, it may also be difficult to locate the command post, medical area, staging area, logistics, etc.

That being said, it might not be a concern as many responders in these communities know who is in charge and they all know their roles. The value really comes in when responders from other agencies or countries come in to help with local efforts.

There is a very simple solution to this.

All key positions should have some markings. If there is no funding for vests, then a simple cloth or piece paper could be labeled to identify the position. Another option might be hats with wording that identifies the role.

And always remember that people can wear different hats during an incident, but their roles need to be clear to others.

The following Hats of Incident Management video was highlighted in a recent training session. If you were unable to attend, please take some time to review the video to understand why we need ICS.

People need to know... who is in charge?

The same goes true for major areas. For example, to better identify a command post, connect a pole or even a tree to the vehicle, with a flag on top, so everyone can see. Small signs below eye level in vehicles sometimes out of the way tends to be less effective.

In the medical/triage area, make sure it is clear which areas are designated red, yellow, and green. And do not label the patients using red, yellow, or green paper, unless they are designated as such.

So little time, so little funding. Big interest in learning.

When asked to present the Incident Command System (ICS) to multiple groups in Asia Pacific, it was important to think of the best way to deliver a course that would have the greatest long term impact. However there is limited time and so it needed to be done without providing 2 weeks or a month worth of classes, but present a 4 hour session. While at the same time share experiences and best practices from other parts of the world.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to present the G402 Incident Command System (ICS) Overview for Executives/Senior Officials course. The course can be found at: http://training.fema.gov/STCourses/crsdesc_spec.asp?courseid=G402

It is became clear very fast that even in different parts of the world, ICS is effective.

At the end of the Disaster Coordinating Council Executive Team session, several questions were raised. Some of them include:

- What are some examples of NGOs working with government agencies under ICS and the associated challenges.

- Where can we get more information and other best practices.

In the next few days, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" will provide some additional resources around these topics. Several other courses will be taught in the next few weeks, along with tabletop and full scale exercises. Lessons from those sessions will be shared as well.