THE LONDON FIRE BRIGADE COMMAND SUPPORT CENTRE
INTRODUCTION
The Command Support Centre is the successor to the Brigades 'old' Operations room, the Operations room was shut in 1990, but following a review of Incident Command and Command Support an Operational Command Centre (OCC) was re-established in the rear of the Brigades Command and Mobilising Centre (CMC) control room. It was staffed by one Watch related Station Officer.
An ongoing review of Command Support saw the development of the Command Support Centre (CSC); this is located in two specially designed and furbished rooms on the 8th floor of the Brigade Headquarters close to CMC. One Stn O and one LFf then staffed CSC, both Watch related.
Further reviews of command saw on January 25th 1999 the Brigade Command Unit (BCU) and the computerised dynamic Command Planning System (CPS) going into service, with this came an expansion of CSC. Each watch now consists of, one Station Officer (Watch Commander), 5 Sub O (deputy Watch Commanders) and 7 LFf (Crew Commanders), there is also one ADO (Station Commander).
The personnel not only staff the CSC itself but also crew the BCU and the headquarters based Command Unit (CU) (one of four strategically placed around the Brigade) as well as providing a Brigade photographer. The minimum crewing levels are: -
BCU = 2 riders: - I Deputy Watch Commander = Technical Officer + 1 Crew Commander = CPS/Comms/MD.
CU = 4 riders: - 1 Deputy Watch Commander = Facilitator + 3 Crew Commanders = CPS/Comms/mapping officer.
CSC =2 riders (although they don't go anywhere!) :- 1 Stn O Watch commander + either 1 Deputy Watch Commander or Crew Commander).
CSC is staffed 24 hours a day and can be contacted on 020 7587 4700.
ROLE
CSCs primary role is to provide SUPPORT, GUIDANCE and INFORMATION to ALL Incident Commanders be they a Crew Commander or the Chief Fire Officer. CSC also gathers and co-ordinates information relating to strategic issues affecting the Authority/Brigade and disseminates this information to Senior and Principal Officers as well as elected members and any others who have an interest. The Command Support Centre provides an essential and integral element of Operational practices of the London Fire Brigade and is now enshrined in the London Emergency Services Liaison panel (LESLP) Major Incident manual as the London Fire Brigades 'GOLD ' control.
CSC monitor all make up incidents and / or incidents of special interest, this covers a whole range of incidents from RTAs with persons confirmed trapped or confirmed Hazmats to a major incident such as the Paddington train crash or Brixton bombing. Command Support Centre personnel are responsible for entering Incident details into the Command Planning System, then maintaining and providing up to date information in liaison with the Command vehicles at the scene.
Some of CSCs functions include: -
Dealing with complaints and compliments (yes we do have some!)
Recording personal and vehicular accident details.
Overviewing appliance disposition across the Brigade.
Monitoring personnel availability across the Brigade.
Dealing with requests for Non Fire Brigade equipment.
Mobilising of UKFSSART and UNDAC teams.
Providing out of hours Fire safety advice.
Senior and Principal Officer notification.
Death, serious injury notification.
Maintenance and monitoring of the casualty line.
Providing a dedicated link to New Scotland Yard's special Operations room (GT).
The provision of a Daily information bulletin for Senior and Principal Officers.
The list goes on, as you can see the CSC is a very busy and interesting place to be and the personnel are all dedicated specialists who work extremely hard (they told me to say that).
ADO Steve Innis
London Fire Brigade
