Controlling agency
In relation to command, control, coordination and lead combat agency, each organisation will command the staff and coordinate resources within their own organisation. The area that can and does cause the most concern is the definition of which organisation will be the controlling agency. This is seen as the organisation which "tells the others what to do". However, this is a common misconception or incorrect emphasis that causes concern, confusion and misunderstanding.
The controlling organisation has three main functions:
- command and coordinate its own resources;
- coordinate support to the lead combat agency;
- communicate the tasks that need to be carried out to manage the emergency event to the lead combat agency and other support agencies.
If a particular hazard involves only the lead combat agency and does not need the support of other organisations, the lead combat agency will just command and coordinate its own resources and there will be no need to have a control function carried out.
For example, if there is a single house fire and no-one is hurt, probably the only emergency service involved would be the fire service unless a crime was suspected. If the latter was the case, after the fire was out the fire service would hand over the incident to the police. Fire services are the lead combat agency and the police are the controlling agency.