Notes: Response Team Management Forum.

Saturday 29th May 2010.

Attendees:
Alex Tait, Alan Walker, Peter Cameron, John Lovell, Ian Wilson, Jane Rollin
(MCDEM); Geoff Coxhead (RT1); Roger Ball, Barry Rowe, Tania Jones (RT2);
Brandon Guttery (RT3); Andrew Wilkinson, Shane Briggs (RT4); Anna Robak (RT5);
Roger Cliffe (RT7)Jason Paul (RT8); Jan Wright (RT11); Brennan Wiremu, Marty
Bennetts (RT12); Pauline Hitchcock, Mark Gatens (RT15); Shaun Thomson (RT16);
Jan Pryor (RT17); Dave Jack (RT18); Craig Sinclair (Emergency Management
Southland); Trudy Taylor, Ken Weavers (NZRC); Mick Chapman (ICD Response)

Competency Framework update.

Presentation by Alex Tait (MCDEM, Professional Development) regarding the
competency framework and its relevance for CDEM Response teams. , Alex also
provided and update on the redevelopment process of the RAPID modules.
Historically there were 42 subjects and associated docs, however many have not
been used and are neither trainer or assessor friendly.
New RAPID module packages designed to be generic, will not be too detailed and
be applicable for a wide range of roles. Intended to be practical. Trainer pack
includes DVD, session plans and mapping . There will be an Assessment Activity
booklet with activities to complete in order to achieve the unit standard. The
Assessor guide will include sample answers and judgement statements. Online
learning. Attendees were reminded that RAPID is not a qualification – it’s a
learning programme. And that they need to discuss qualifications with the
appropriate Industry Training Organisation.
Core skills strand include the following:

• Introduction to comprehensive emergency management and CDEM in NZ

(compulsory)

• Information Management in CDEM (compulsory),

• Operating communications systems (optional),
• CIMS2
• First Aid
Elective Strands which are still to be developed:-
• Volunteer Management
• Welfare
• Flood/Storm Response
• EOC Support
• General Rescue
Timeline: Core skills strand available 30 June, Elective strands 31 December.
General Rescue : Local Government Industry Training Organisation,
Fire & Rescue Services Industry training Organisation and future
maintenance
Brannon Guttery advise the forum re a meeting that was held between MCDEM ,
LGITO and FRISTO re the General Rescue manual . This resulted in a proposal to
USAR advisory board to review the area of what has been traditional called
“General Rescue” and to review what is included and relevant in todays
environment. It is propose to establish a combined advisory group to progress
this work and to include representatives from both LGITO/FRSITO and Response
Teams .

MCDEM Response Team web page

Adrain Prowse talked about and demonstrated the web pages which have been
setup for response team members . The existing USAR website which had been
used for this purpose has been phased out and the new page established to meet
the specific needs of response teams and their activities. Response teams were
requested to ensure that their details were correct and if they had not entered
any information to do so when back home.
There is a secure area for RT teams – (Ian to re-send individual log-ins to response
teams). Team capability and skills can be recorded, although specific guidance
on what constitutes ‘capability’ for a particular function is needed – should be
reflected in the guideline. MCDEM will not vet information uploaded by RT’s.
Having principles defined in the RT guideline will support in ensuring consistency
in identifying team competencies.
Relevant resources such as Training and professional development section will be
transferred from USAR web site. Please Let Adrian know if there is anything
further that should be added and he will include. Will also link to RAPID when
published.

DH4 (Decision 4Heros) – online response team management

There was a positive response to the online presentation of this Website by the
author. For further information www.decisionsforheroes.com go to ‘get started’
for demo trial. Fully functional for 40 days. Price plans on website (eligible for
volunteer price tariff).
The idea of an organisational licence covering all RT’s was floated with a view to
reduce costs for all ,MCDEM to facilitate further discussion perhaps via the
Advisory Group and contact with other organisations i.e NZLANDSAR

Draft Response Team Guidelines

Discussion on current draft document. General consensus that the current
document has a mixed purpose – initially intended to be 2 documents as follows;
(1) Registering a team (covering the process as to how a team becomes
registered for deployment within and outside of an area), including
consistent benchmarking of skills and competencies
(2) Forming a response team (covering the principles and concepts that
should be considered when forming a response team

Consensus that the current version of the document needs to be edited to ensure
that it covers only (1), with the concepts within (2) to follow at a later stage.
Priority should be given to (1).
General comments around section 1 and 2 within draft document;
 • Include a “framework diagram’ that shows difference between NZ-RT’s and
local response teams.
• Edit section 2 and remove content that reflects (2) see above
• Make audit process read more clearly (diagram?)

Section 3 –

• 3.1 – 3.4. Needs clearer definition of competencies for core skills and
these need to be linked to Unit Standards (or equivalent), to enable
consistency in application across all NZ-RT’s (specific reference to Adrian’s
table on the response team website. Similar goes for Team leader skills
and corresponding training.

• Each skill area must outline its minimum competency. Steve Manson(Red
Cross), to provide their documentation to form the initial basis to develop
this area.

• Personnel management (3.7) - operational deployment minimum members

will be defined by the specific skill rather than a broad statement of team
numbers. Document needs to reflect this.

• 3.8 – Do not call this section”Ttraining requirements” – rather a section on

how training needs are identified (against wider purpose for the
team/hazards etc,), and how training is planned/delivered?
Appendix A
John Lovell spoke about this section and indicated that it was a first draft only
which combined two separate sections previously. Generally feedback was
positive with the acknowledgement that further work was required along with
tracking of specialist skills/strands etc.

Next Steps:
That an Advisory Group be formed to support the editing of the draft Response
team guidelines Once draft prepared, circulate to rest of Response Teams for
comment. Separate stream of work to look at (2).
Steve Manson Red Cross
Shane Briggs RT4
Brandon Guttery RT3
Jason Paul RT8
Ian Wilson MCDEM
General Business:

• The National competion hosted by Hutt City was outlined , 12 Teams have
entered . Red Cross expressed disappointment at not being able to enter,
but the organisers are unable to accommodate an increased number of
Teams . MCDEM expressed support for the concept as an excellent tool for
motivating and developing Teams and that hopefully future organisers
would establish an entry criteria that enables any Team regardless of
organisation to participate.
• Dependant on MCDEM funding , there was a positive response having a
forum in 2011 but with a different format more aimed at Team
development and inter change of ideas