Tactics, command, leadership

be a basis for formulating priorities, for example, for what is to

be achieved and how the resources will be allocated, for example,

between several different ongoing response operations. The dis-

tinction can also be useful in certain situations for determining

in which respect a response operation should be expanded. If an

operation expands, one can, for example, ask oneself if the da-

mage will increase or change character, or if the number or type

of objects will change.

Even in the event of individual physical damage, i.e. during a

single emergency response operation, one should reflect upon the

An oil discharge has

occurred in a harbour area.

Booms have been placed

out, which had limited the

damage caused. However,

as this took some time,

a quantity of oil spread

outside the boomed

area, something that the

incident commander did

not notice or could not

oversee. Involvement by

a senior commander may

be necessary in order to

allow for a broadening of

the geographic framework

by, for example, increasing

management capacity

with the help of staff or

by introducing a further

level of command. Another

alternative would perhaps

be to divide another

organisational element to

create a second response

operation.

Example 4