Developing Emergency Preparedness and
Response Capacities for Sergeant at-Arms
Being a paper presented
By
Labaran Ahman
Search and Rescue Officer. (NEMA)
@
A 3 day Conference on the Sergeant-At-Arms and
Parliamentary Security
21st January, 2015.
INTRODUCTION
In an attempt to discuss the issue of developing
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Capacities for Sergeant at-Arms, it will not be
out of place to briefly explain some of our
operational terms/concepts as well as other
contemporary
issues
relating
to
Emergency/Disaster management in Nigeria.
This in my opinion will go a long way in
broadening the understanding of participants on
who we are and where we are coming from as a
country in terms of Emergency Management.
AIM
This lecture is intended to enlighten
participants (Sergeant -at-Arms ) on health
and safety issues at workplace and
measures that can be put in place to
mitigate the impact of these emergencies
when they inevitably occur.
SCOPE
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Accident
Emergency
Hazards
Vulnerability
Risk
Disaster
Disaster management
Disaster management in Nigeria
Prevailing Hazards in Nigeria
Disaster Scenarios and Lead Agencies
Management of accidents & Emergencies in workplace
Emergency evacuation plan
Business continuity plan
Standard operating procedures
Rapid evacuation
Mass casualty handling
Conclusion
Accidents
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Accident is an incident that has given rise to injury, illhealth or fatality.
Classes of Accidents
Those that cause no damage to property or injury to
people.
Those that cause damage to material, plant or equipment
but do not injure personnel.
Those that cause injury to personnel but do not damage
property.
Those that cause both injury to people and damage to
material, plant and equipment.
EMERGENCY
Emergency, depending on the level or gravity may be
viewed as a complex phenomenon that requires wellcoordinated counter measures on the part of
concerned stakeholders in dealing with it. Since these
measures if not properly managed would increase the
vulnerability of the victims eventually leading to
catastrophic consequences.
EMERGENCY CIRCLE
• Preparedness
Response
EMERGENCY
Mitigation
Recovery
Hazard
A potentially damaging physical event,
phenomenon or human activity, which may
cause the loss of life or injury, property
damage, social and economic disruption or
environmental degradation.
HAZARD
VULNERABILITY
Set of prevailing or consequential conditions
resulting from physical, social, economical
and environmental factors, which increase
the exposure of a community to the impacts
of hazards.
HAZARD
+
= RISK
VULNERABILITY
RISK
The probability of harmful consequences, or
expected losses (lives lost, persons injured,
damage to property and/or the environment,
livelihoods lost and disruptions of economic
activities or social systems) due to the interaction
between humans, hazards and vulnerable
conditions.
DISASTER
HAZARD AND VULNERABILITY
Disaster
Hazard
Vulnerability
DISASTER AND VULNERABILITY
RISK REDUCTION
VULNERABILITY
RISK = HAZARD X
CAPACITY
DISASTER
DISASTERS
“ Disaster is therefore, a serious disruption of the
functioning of a community or society that may
involve widespread human, material, economic, or
environmental loss and the impact is beyond the
coping capacity of the community or society
affected, using its own available resources”
(UNDP).
Disasters therefore have human, security and
developmental implications. They create a lot of
devastation on lives and means of livelihoods.
TYPES OF DISASTERS
DISASTER CIRCLE
RESPONSE
PREPAREDNESS
RELIEF
MITIGATION
RECOVERY
CLASSIFICATION OF DISASTERS
For the purpose of management, emergency or disaster, they are usually
classified into three different levels:
a.
Level 1 (Minor).
A minor emergency or disaster is that which could be handled within the
available resources of the concerned individual or the immediate community.
In such a situation, the individual or the local community is usually
responsible for the decision making process to resolve the incident.
b.
Level 2 (Major).
A major emergency or disaster is that whose impact overwhelms the
capability of the individual or the local community and requires response or
assistance from the State or External Agencies. An event like this one usually
requires a coordinated effort and commitment of personnel, equipment and
resources from the assisting agencies.
THE LEVELS OF DISASTERS CONT’D
c.
Level 3 (Catastrophic)
A catastrophic disaster is that which occur with or without warning and in most
cases, its magnitude is so large that it will require Mr President to make a
declaration. In such a case, all agencies of Government, Stakeholders and in
extreme cases, International actors are involved. In such cases, the resources for
intervention are requested from both the State and Federal Government. Such a
situation would also necessitate the involvement of the Military in particular
because of their capacity to respond effectively and swiftly due to their training
and equipment holding.
Resources
 Local Resources
 State Resources
 Federal Resources
Local Resources
 Local Emergency Management
Committees (LEMC)
 Law enforcement
 Volunteer search and rescue
 Grassroots Volunteers
State Resources
 State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
 Police
 Fire service
 CBOs and FBOs
 Governor can request a declaration of disaster from
the president and seek for federal assistance
Federal Resources
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National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA)
NSCDC, FRSC FFS
Federal MDAs
Armed Forces (DRUs)
PREVAILING HAZARDS IN NIGERIA
 Civil Disturbances
 Fire outbreaks
 Flood
 Road crashes
 Bush and Wild Fire
 Oil Spillage
 Plane crashes
 Rainstorms/windstorms
 Collapse Buildings
 Terrorism
Disaster scenarios and lead agencies as
provided for in (SAREEP)
DISASTER SCENARIO
 Fire disaster
LEAD AGENCY
 Flood disaster
 Fire Service
 Road crashes
 Fire Service
 Marine base disasters
 FRSC
 Aviation base disaster
 NIMASA
 Collapse building
 FAAN/NAMA
 Rail Accident
 Fire Service
 Oil Spill Disaster
 NRC/NSCDC
 Epidemic Disaster
 NOSDRA
 Terror Attack/Bomb
 FMOH
Threat
 NPF
Disaster management
 Disaster Management: is
therefore , a
systematic approach to issues of disasters by
concerned stakeholders in preventing
disasters, preparing for them, responding to
them and provision of relief, rehabilitation
and in the long run, recovery efforts.
 In operational terms, it refers to the
combine efforts of all stakeholders in
preventing it, responding to it and
recovering from its impact
DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN
NIGERIA
 To cope with disasters, the country first established
a National Emergency Relief Agency in 1976.
 Before 1999, there was no coordinated mechanism
to manage disaster except periodic doling of relief
materials after disaster situations.
 With the adoption of the NEMA Act No. 12 of 1999,
there became a conscious coordinating effort at
proper Disaster Management in the country.
Disasters in Nigeria
FLOODING IN LOKOJA, KOGI STATE
32
FIRE DISASTER
Management of Accidents and Emergencies in
workplace
As Sergeants –at-Arms and custodians of safety and
security of our distinguish senators and honorable
members, there is the urgent need in line with global best
practices to put in place emergency preparedness plans
that would ensure safe and secured National Assembly
Complex.
 Emergency Evacuation Plan
 Business Continuity Plan
 Standard Operating Procedure
However, having plans in place is one thing, executing
the plans when the need arises is another.
Management of Accidents and Emergencies
in workplace cont’d
Therefore, there is the need to have the
plans in place and constant utilization
through simulation exercise both
discussion based and practical drills in
order to equip all relevant actors with
their roles and responsibilities in any
given emergency situation.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN
During certain emergency conditions, it may be
necessary to evacuate a building. Examples of such
occasions include, smoke/fire, gas leak or bomb threat.
Pre-planning and rehearsal are effective ways to ensure
that building occupants recognize the evacuation alarm
and know how to respond. Practicing an evacuation
during a non-emergency drill provides training that
will be valuable in an emergency.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE OR ANY LIFE
THREATENING EMERGENCY
 Raise an alarm
 Do not panic
 Switch off electrical appliances if you are not in
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immediate danger
Attack it with fire extinguisher if you can take no risk
Evacuate the building
Follow the reflective sign indicating “EXIT”
Do not rush or push one another
Assemble at the Muster point
Conduct a roll call
Do not go back to your office until it is declared safe to
do so
CONTACT THE FOLLOWING
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
 FCT Fire Service ----------------07003283473 &
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112 (Toll free)
Federal Fire Service-------------08032003557
Nigerian Police-------------------07029311600
NEMA-----------------------------0800 Call NEMA
(Toll free) 09-2905895
NOTE: - Switch off all electrical appliances after close
of work
Business Continuity Plan
Business continuity plan (BCP) is a documented
collection of procedures and information that is
developed, compiled and maintained in readiness for
use in an incident to enable an organization to
continue to deliver its critical activities at an
acceptable pre-defined level. Business continuity
management involves managing the recovery or
continuation of business activities in the event of a
business disruption, and management of the overall
programme through training, exercises and reviews,
to ensure the business continuity plan(s) stays
current and up-to-date.
Standard Operating Procedure
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) are guidelines
developed to guide all members of sfaff on what to
do and how to go about doing it when confronted by
any emergency situation. The essence of having an
SOP is to ensure timely and coordinated response to
emergency situations in the workplace which is
usually for all prevailing hazards. An example of
Emergency Reporting Procedure contained in the
NEMA Standard Operating Procedure is as
summarized below.
EMERGENCY REPORTING PROCEDURE
If the need for an Evacuation is discovered:
1.
Activate manual fire alarm pull station if possible.
2.
If you are not in immediate danger, notify the
Emergency Operator (080022556362) and
provide:

Your Name :__________________________________
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Fire Location (Floor, Department, Wing etc.)
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Size and Type of Emergency

Any additional information requested by the
Operator
EMERGENCY REPORTING PROCEDURE
Cont…
 3.
If you are not in immediate danger, also notify the
Evacuation Coordinator or the Chief Security Officer.
 4.
If you are trained in the proper use of portable fire
extinguishers and not in immediate danger, you may
attempt to fight the fire. Do not place yourself or others
in unnecessary danger. Training is available through
NEMA from relevant stakeholders.
EMERGENCY REPORTING PROCEDURE
Cont…
 If you are TRAPPED in the building and cannot find
an escape route:
 Call the Emergency Contact Centre (080022556362) and
give your exact location.
 However, depending on the nature and size of the emergency,
the standard operating procedure for reporting an incident
provides for a clear line of communication between staff and
visitors of NEMA to report an incident first to the ERT
Leader, who will in turn inform the DD OPS then DSAR and
finally the Director- General.
 Similarly, if the incident has direct threat to national security
and well being of the citizenry like bomb/terrorist threat, the
DG shall notify the Vice President/Chairman NEMA
Governing Council who will in turn inform the President and
Commander in Chief.
INTERNAL REPORTING
PROCEDURE

Director- General

Director Search and Rescue

Deputy-Director Operations

Zonal Coordinator/Head of Operational Offices
EXTERNAL REPORTING PROCEDURE
 President and Commander in Chief
 Vice President and Chairman Governing Council
 Director- General only
PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION
Having discussed some measures necessary for a safe and secured
work place, we will briefly put into practice some accidents and
emergencies that are likely to happen within the workplace. These
accidents and emergencies include the following:
Accidents/Emergencies
Basic Life Support
Cardiac arrest
CPR
Bleeding
Direct & indirect control
Fractures
Immobilization
Eminent danger
Rapid evacuation
Mass casualty
Triage & rapid treatment
While efforts will be made to briefly discuss the 4 and 5 scenarios,
others will be demonstrated by my colleagues using conventional
and improvised means.
RAPID EVACUATION TO SAFETY FROM
SCENES OF EXPLOSIONS
LIFTING METHODS,2 OR MORE FIRST
CARE PROVIDERS
 TWO ARMED SEAT
 FOUR ARMED SEAT
 BLANKET LIFT
 LIFT WITH STRETCHER
 CHAIR CARRIAGE
 MOBILE STRETCHER
Please see some examples below:
Two-person arm carry.
Two-person arm carry
(alternate).
Chair
carry.
One-person arm
carry.
Mass Casualty Incident
Definition:
“An incident in which the treatment of
one casualty comes on account of
another casualty’s treatment.” An
event generating larger-than-usual
numbers of patients, but to a level that is
manageable using available resources.
What constitutes an MCI?
 Any incident where there are more casualties than
Rescuers
 When proper means of transportation for casualties
to medical facilities are inadequate
 When the local coping capacity is over stretched
A Mass Casualty Incident
 The first step is understanding that you are facing an
MCI…
 Whenever the incident exceeds your abilities to treat
or transport the casualties, then you are facing an
MCI!
The Goal of all Responders Should be to

“Save as Many Lives
as Possible”
Controlling an MCI
 Commanding an MCI is a big challenge:
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A lot of casualties are involved
Usually some have severe injuries
A lot of crews (but never enough..)
Hazards
All manners of rescue
Communication challenges
All manners of evacuation
Mess!!!
 You must gain control of the situation!!
What to expect in MCI
May die
Definitely die
Will live
TRIAGE
The word TRIAGE in French means to sift or sort
A systematic approach to a major incident or
multiple casualties
An ordered and measured response to
medical and trauma casualties
SIMPLE TRIAGE AND RAPID
TREATMENT
Yes
Walking
Injured
Not Injured
Delayed Prior 3
Dead
Priority 4
No
Survivor
Reception
No
Centre
Breathing
No
Open Airway
Yes
Breathing
Yes
Respiratory
rate
10 or less
30 or more
Immediate
priority 1
11-29
Pulse
rate
Under 120/min
Urgent
priority 2
How to open the airway:
Head-tilt, Chin-lift
21
http://www.blscprtraining.com/a3.jpg
Module 14: Mass Casualty Incidents
Recovery Position if Unconscious, and Move on
to the Next Patient
38
http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/first-aid-3.jpg
Module 14: Mass Casualty Incidents
Evacuation
 While on the way to the hospital treat each casualty
as if it is a single casualty case
 Once casualty is in the hospital, contact operations
base for further instructions
 Be prepared to be lunched back to the scene, or any
other case
Ending of an MCI
 An MCI ends when all the victims are found and
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evacuated
Dispense your remaining energy on the presumably
dead
Release unnecessary teams
Report to operations
Debrief
Return back to state of readiness and refresh
Call for an after action review meeting for an AAR
www.nema.gov.ng
CONTACT NUMBERS:
0800CALLNEMA (080022556362)
112 (toll free)
09290577 and 08032003555
Thank you
for
listening.
Questions