ICS in Sri Lanka

In July 2005, the Sri Lanka D isaster M anagem ent A ct No. 13 o f 2005 was enacted which provides the legal basis for instituting a disaster risk m anagem ent system in the country. The N ational Council for D isaster M anagem ent (N CD M ) is a high-level inter-m inisterial body. The chairm an and vice chairm an o f the NCDM is H.E. the President and Honourable Prim e M inister respectively. O ther m em bers are Leader o f the O pposition, M inisters in charge o f 20 selected subject areas, Provincial Council C h ie f M inisters and five m em bers o f the Opposition. The Act also provides for establishing the D isaster M anagem ent C entre (DM C) under the Council to be the apex body for the purpose o f planning, co-coordinating and im plem enting o f certain natural and other form s o f disasters in Sri Lanaka.

In Sri Lanka the incident com m and system (ICS) concept is still on paper. They yet to incorporate this system in their disaster m anagem ent plan. But the M inistry o f D isaster m anagem ent and Hum an Rights they are arranging num ber o f w orkshop for developing an action fram ew ork basing on their governm ental structure. On 24-28 April 2006 there was a w orkshop held at E a rl’s Regency Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka. This w orkshop was im plem ented by the United States D epartm ent o f A griculture, Forest Service (USFS). The program is supported by The United States A gency for International D evelopm ent (USA ID ). The D isaster M anagem ent Centre (DM C), M inistry o f D isaster M anagem ent and Hum an Rights, Sri Lanka is the facilitating institution im plem enting the program . In this w orkshop the governm ent officials from different m inistries w ere present. This w orkshop facilitated them for developing a structure o f Incident C om m and System (ICS) for Sri Lankan perspective w ithout disturbing the present G overnm ent structure.

4.2.2.1 Incident Command System Adaptation

To understand w hether all the functional areas o f ICS were applicable in Sri Lanka the groups w ere asked to answ er 3 questions: 1 w hat functional areas are appropriate for Sri

Lanka? 2. What functional areas are not appropriate for Sri Lanka? 3. What adaptation can be made to better meet the needs o f Sri Lanka?

4.2.2.2 Logistics Section

All the functional area under the logistics section is applicable to Sri Lanka but there needs to be some adaptations based on country context. Service Branch Director, Support Branch Director could be amalgamated. Sub units in functional areas could be reduced, but need a dedicated study before implement.

The logistics section need to divide into six main areas: comm unication, medical, food, supply, facilities and ground support. Figure shows the recommended organizational chart for the logistics section.

F ig u re 4.6: L o g istics se ctio n o rg a n iz a tio n a l c h a rt (Source: Incident Command System for Disaster Management, U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami W arning System (IOTW S)

4.2.2.3 Planning Section

Planning section needs to design base on the ground reality o f Sri Lanka. Group proposed to divide planning section into four units: resources, situation, demobilization and documentation. The situation unit needs to combine with political activities at the grass root level, N G O s/ CBOs, Gramma Niladharis, Samurdhi Official and Religious Leaders. Figure below shows the units under planning section:

Figure 4.7: Units under Planning Section (Source: Incident Command System for Disaster Management, U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami W arning System (IOTW S) Program, April

2006)

Three planners could be engaged under planning from three different organizations. Group suggested Disaster M anagement Center or DM C/DMU can be IC, Relief and rehabilitation can be NDM C and Divisional and District Secretary o f GA will work on administration. If there is single divisional incident secretary o f the division can manage the incident, but if multiple divisions involved need to handle by the additional district secretary. Political factors need to be considered at every level as there are some striving forces working in the country and those factors can not be eliminate (neither giving them total control). Thus need to involve them in the consultation process for better planning and management.

needs to be more disciplined than others and lots o f materials need to be handled efficiently. The staging area needs to divide in three sub m anager areas (i.e. personnel, equipm ent and medical/welfare). Figure shows the organizational chart for operation area.

Figure 4.9: Operational organization chart (Source: Incident Command System for Disaster Management, U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami W arning System (IOTW S) Program,

April 2006)

To better meet the needs o f ICS in Sri Lanka basic awareness for public and their representative (e.g. civil society) are required. There is a need to develop a mechanism to

provide well trained (ICS), pre-selected and specialized people at different levels with identifying types (e.g. I, II, III). Disaster M anagement Council (DM C) should play important role as the focal point to maintain a database for trained ICS persons to use them efficiently in any incident.

4.2.2.5 IC and Command Staff 's Section

In the context o f Sri Lanka only the governm ent agents District Secretary (e.g. DS) can lead the kind o f situations presented as they are the responsible official. But governm ent representative can’t handle all situations every time efficiently. Incident Com m ander should be one who has proper training and m anagement capacity. But the government has an administrative structure and it’s not possible to change that structure. Thus Incident com m ander can work directly under the district secretary or the responsible official o f the governm ent’s current structure. In the context o f safety measures, it’s not a major concern in the Sri Lankan context. Thus safety factors need to be considering in ICS.

Figure 4.10: IC and Command Staffs (Source: Incident Command System for Disaster Management, U.S. Indian Ocean Tsunami W arning System (IOTW S) Program, April

2006)

4.2.2.6 Finance/ Administration Section

All functional areas are applicable and are being practiced through the current administrative systems in Sri Lanka. However using the ICS model as a guide it can be further improved for more efficient and effectives. There needs to be some adaptation in the procurement procedures part o f the ICS as Sri Lanka has very limited resources, capabilities and capacities.

4.3 Incident Command system and Military Chain of Command in Bangladesh