Relationship between emergency plans and SOP
What is the relationship between SOP and the emergency plan?
We can begin to understand this relationship by revisiting the following diagrams:
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Figure 2.2: An emergency prevention and preparedness model |
These simple diagrams represent a logical sequence of activities within an emergency management prevention and preparedness process. Following the Hazard Analysis/Risk Assessment emergency planning is undertaken with regard to those hazards and risks that cannot be prevented. Within the Training and Education stage of the model, SOP are developed. Therefore SOP follow on from the development of the plan.
The need for SOP
From your textbook reading (Carter) you should have developed an understanding of the need for, and hence relationship between SOP and plans.
Plans are strategic documents, whilst SOP are tactical. One of the greatest differences between the two documents is that plans can apply to more than one organisation whilst SOP relate only to one organisation or facility.
SOP are required for some of the following:
- to prescribe ‘how’ an organisation will meet its strategic responsibilities;
- to ensure that tasks will be carried out accurately and efficiently;
- to ensure that the overall effectiveness of response operations will be maintained at optimum level;
- to ensure that the organisation can carry out its tasks without supervision or continuous direction;
- to prevent the ‘onion effect’ occurring.
SOP and Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs)
In your Reading you will have come across references to Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs). This type of facility will require a set of operating procedures (not directly related to a particular plan) to ensure that it is established, maintained and operated in an efficient manner.
It is important to remember that SOP will not only be required as a result of a specific plan or plans but that their need may be determined by some other element or part of the planning process.
In later sections we will cover in detail the specific requirements of SOP for emergency operations centres and other facilities. For the time being it is sufficient that you enhance your understanding of the part that emergency operations centres play within emergency planning and management.
Activity 2.2
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Command and control relationship
Another way of explaining the relationship, or in this case difference, between SOP and plans is by introducing the terms command and control. You will recall from earlier studies that control is exerted across organisations and is therefore more strategic in nature whilst command can only be exercised within organisations and is therefore more tactical in nature.
We can graphically demonstrate this relationship in Figure 2.3 below.
Figure 2.3: Command and control |
Generally CONTROLLERS will be concerned with the operation of emergency plans (the strategies) while COMMANDERS are usually more concerned with the implementation of SOP (the tactics).