Over on the Mortar Attack thread, Matt (Polak187) was getting feedback from an accident:
"I know that it is easier said than done but there must be someone in control of the situation. And some people are leaders and some are followers but the follower must be ready to pick up the ball when leader fails. They told me that there were many different agencies on scene and everyone wanted a piece. Now since it wasnt a crime scene or a fire scene, medical services are in charge of the patient. So they should have been in charge and get their point accross."
So this is mostly a question for Matt, plus anyone else that is in the EMT/fire/police business:
Don't you use the Incident Command System that was (I think) created in the 1970's? It seems an incredibly useful system, but from what I hear, there are still a lot of screwups because it isn't followed. I don't know if it's due to ego trips, showboating, posing for the media, or what.
The following is from a website that describes the system (heavily edited):
"ICS allows multiple agencies over multiple jurisdictions to work together and actually accomplish something useful.
Notice that the word “Command” is part of the name of the system. You have to take command early. How the first five minutes go can determine how the next five hours will go, and how those five hours go can determine how the next five days go.
"The ICS is based on three principles: First, somebody has to be in charge. One person.
"Second, No one can keep everything in their head. In fact, experimental evidence (confirmed by years of experience) is that one person can direct three to seven others with five people being optimum.
"Third, no man can serve two masters. You only get orders from one person, and you know who that person is.
"Smallest incident, at a minimum, there’s always an Incident Commander. There’s always an Incident Command Post, and there’s always a Staging Area. Largest incident: There’s still one Incident Commander, in one command post. His or her identity is known to everyone, and that person is only getting reports from, and giving orders to, a bare handful of subordinates. Each of those subordinates is getting information from, and giving orders to, three to seven subordinates.
"Everyone reports to just one person (and knows explicitly who that person is) and commands just a few subordinates. And so on, down the line.
"Who’s the incident commander? The first responder on scene. As other responders arrive, the Incident Commander may change, but everyone still knows who it is.
"Authority can be delegated. Responsibility cannot.
"Information and orders move up and down the chain, not side-to-side. The folks who are providing treatment don’t go off freelancing scrounging the supplies they need—they ask up the chain, supplies are provided, as available and in order of priority.
"The idea is to maximize efficiency and minimize confusion in a chaotic, fast-moving situation."
The whole thing can be found at
http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/ics_disc.htmlSue