Gold-silver-bronze command structure
gold | Strategically |
Silver | Tactical |
bronze | Operational |
The gold-silver-bronze command structure ( gold silver bronze command structure , GSB ) is one of the emergency forces of the United Kingdom used command structure . Equivalent are designations such as strategic-tactical-operational command structure ( strategic-tactical-operational command structure ). In addition to the superordinate structure, there is also a so-called platinum level, with which the intervention of the government in COBRA cases is described.
GSB was originally designed to respond to sudden emergencies; later it was also used for larger, predictable events, such as sporting events.
development
The concept was developed by the Metropolitan Police Service in 1985 in response to the Broadwater Farm uprising in the course of which police officer Keith Blakelock was murdered. The retrospective assessment of the events showed that a rank-based chain of command could not react appropriately to sudden events. Therefore, a tripartite structure was set up that quickly spread to the police and emergency services. With the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 the legal basis was created.
Command levels
gold
The Gold Commander is the supreme commander. He does not control the process on site, but from a control room and defines the strategy for dealing with the incident. He is assisted by the local chief constable as the chief of police.
silver
The Silver Commander is the tactical commander who translates the strategic guidelines into instructions. Depending on the nature of the incident, he may be present on site. Silver commanders of the fire brigade are usually on site, while the police counterpart is more likely to be involved from another location. Mobile guide vehicles can be used for this; the local police station is also often used. The widespread assumption that there is a large control room for the emergency services is only correct in individual cases.
bronze
The Bronze Commander works directly with the emergency services on site. When deployed at different locations, bronze commanders can be designated for each location. Complex tasks can also be divided between several Bronze Commander per location.
In the UK, the structures of responsibility and authority for armed ( firearms ) and unarmed ( public order ) police units are separate. Accordingly, a Bronze Commander is also deployed here at the operational level.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Major Incident Procedures. In: camden.gov.uk. Camden Design, April 2006, accessed July 5, 2018 .
- ↑ Bronze (operational) commander
Web links
- Wiltshire Police: Major incident planning: Command structure
- Government Office for the South East: Preparing for Emergencies - Response
- Emergency Management Portal: Online resources for UK emergency managers
- College of Policing: Operations: Command structures