responsibility for the messaging during the crisis or emergency and it ensures that the EXECOM, NSC/NCMC and all other government officials or agents involved in the crisis adhere to the Crisis Communications Plan and speak in one voice.
This group also ensures the prudent handling of information to and from the media, and that the information disseminated will not prejudice nor hamper on-going operations or the crisis management process. It develops an appropriate Crisis/Emergency Communications Plan which shall be implemented and strictly adhered to by the EXECOM, NSC/NCMC and all other government officials or agents. ANNEX D of this manual lists the media platforms of
the government should official pronouncements/statements of the Communications Group are made. For more details on the mandates of the PCDSPO, please refer to EO Nr. 4 series of 2010, Office of the President.
1-2.5 The On-Scene Commander
An On-Scene Commander is an individual in the vicinity of an incident, who temporarily assumes command and institutes immediate emergency procedures, such as the isolation of the incident from the rest of the environment. He/She must have the proper training and the authority to respond. Technically, he/she is part of the second type of First Responders. He/she has the responsibility of applying necessary actions to avoid “greater evil or damage” that may arise out of an existing or developing crisis. In doing so, he/she has to exercise “wise judgment” in the performance of duties and responsibilities. His/her role ends when an Incident Commander has been designated, unless he/she is also selected by the latter to be part of the ICS.
1-2.6 The First Responder/s
There are two types of First Responders: The first refers to those who are on the scene of the incident (anybody who is coincidentally on the scene); and the second refers to certified responders who are on standby for such occurrence (as mandated). The first responder referred to by this manual is of the second type. The First Responder carries out the immediate and timely response needed in addressing an incident. The First Responder’s performance covers that point in time when the level of incident shifts either to a higher level or towards elimination of crisis. The First Responder also secures the scene of incident and conveys the appropriate communication to respective channels, primarily, to an Incident Commander or to the Local Chief Executive. Thus, the response of the First Responder is crucial in crisis management.
Section 1-3 Working Synergy
Crisis management resides with the Executive level in an organization. It normally has no direct power, but functions as an adviser or coordinator to ensure that all parts of an organization are focused on the common goal. Effective crisis management relies on a thorough integration of efforts at all levels of the organization. Moreover, there must be clear understanding that crisis must be addressed at the lowest political jurisdiction and that higher level crisis management organizations must be ready to provide assistance and additional resources when needed.
25
between crisis management committee members and the Incident Commanders so that respective tasks and purposes of each element would be clearly understood.
One of the primary responsibilities of the local CMC is to organize the Incident Command System (ICS) and to designate its Incident Commander (IC) in accordance to the nature of the crisis. The designated IC shall be reporting directly to the Chairperson, CMC for guidance and instructions. However, on complex situations wherein the need to organize different ICSs is paramount, CMC has the prerogative to create several ICSs with different ICs that addresses specific types of crisis simultaneously. At this juncture, either an Area (Support) Commander or a Unified Commander within the ICS shall be designated to synchronize and to coordinate all efforts of subordinate commanders. The Area (Support) Commander or the Unified Commander shall be reporting directly to the Chairperson of the local CMC for guidance and instructions, or for additional support requirements.
It is the joint responsibility of the local CMC and the next higher level CMC to determine the appropriate level of CMC that would best address the crisis. The decision to elevate crisis response should be based on their continuous and thorough assessment of the situation, taking into consideration the severity of the nature of the crisis, the capability of available forces or units addressing the crisis and the availability of resources.
The CMC shall not distract or disrupt the operations of the ICS. Its primary functions are: a. providing for the requirements of the ICS
b. coordinating and facilitating support from higher authority; and
c. supervising the execution of the plan of action by the members of the ICS once it has been established and operationalized.
The CMC shall intervene in the operation if: (1) actions undertaken by the ICS are not in accordance to those approved by the CMC; or (2) the CMC, during their assessment, finds that capabilities of committed forces or units inappropriate or ineffective. The CMC shall be the overall responsible and accountable unit, whatever the outcome of the conduct of the operations.
The Incident Commander has the responsibility of selecting, constituting, and organizing units and members of the ICS. This responsibility implies the prerogative of choosing what unit or agency of the government or private sector should be involved in managing the crisis. Likewise, he/she has the implied responsibility of determining additional assets necessary to accomplish the mission.
Considering the immensity of his/her knowledge in the different operational concepts and the diverse tactics, techniques, and procedures in crisis management, the IC has the responsibility of generating options in addressing the crisis and recommending the best option to the CMC.
When an option has been chosen and approved by the Chairperson, CMC, the IC now has the responsibility of implementing the plan of action. Corollary to this, he/she must ensure that the mission and intents are disseminated and clearly understood by all elements of the ICS.
The IC reports directly to the Chairperson, CMC for guidance and instructions and for purposes of rendering reports on the results of the operation. To this effect, it is his/her