Response Team Coordinator

Scope

This Operational Guideline outlines the considerations and duties for NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) staff assigned as a Response Team Coordinator (RTC).

Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all RFS members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.

Key Accountabilities

• The RTC is responsible for ensuring that Strike Teams/Task Forces, for which they are allocated to support, have appropriate mobilisation and demobilisation arrangements and are meaningfully engaged whilst deployed.
• The RTC will ensure the following for each Strike Team/Task Force they are supporting;
  • Meaningful engagement for the duration of deployment.
  • Mechanical, fuel and welfare needs are managed and resolved.
  • Accommodation arrangements are suitable.
  • Liaise with the Strike Team Leader (STL)/Task Force Leader (TFL) to ensure that taskings are allocated in accordance with the Incident Action Plan (IAP).
  • Sufficient transport is in place for crew rotations and shift changes (particularly where crews will be ‘hot seating’ appliances).
• To achieve this the RTC will:
  • Ensure that the STL/TFL receives adequate briefings by the Operations section of the Incident Management Team (IMT). The STL/TFL will report to the Operations Officer for all duties whilst tasked to the incident.
  • Maintain regular (daily at a minimum) contact with each STL/TFL they are allocated to support.
  • Support the Logistics Officer to resolve any accommodation, mechanical, fuel or welfare issues.
  • Provide feedback to the IMT or Major Incident Coordination (MIC) Team on any safety, tasking or welfare issues.
  • Facilitate conflict resolution within the Strike Teams/Task Forces that is not able to be managed at the crew leader or STL/TFL level. They will also assist with any matters that need raising between the STL/TFL and the IMT. A report will be provided on each instance that required intervention.
  • Provide information to the Logistics Officer and Operations Officer on debriefs or any matter raised by the STL/TFL and their Crew Leaders.
• The RTC will maintain an operational log and submit this to the IMT at the end of deployment for inclusion in incident records.

Special Considerations

• The RTC is not a field command role, it is an IMT based role and is responsible to the Logistics Officer within the IMT.
  • RTCs may meet and brief incoming Strike Teams/Task Forces at Assembly Areas.
• The RTC will be rostered as a 12-hour shift, consideration of shift composition may include Day Shift, Swing Shift or Night Shifts to adequately support Strike Teams/Task Forces. Any shift extension needs Incident Controller (IC) approval BEFORE working additional hours.
• Expenses facilitated by the RTC will be in line with Policy 4.1.5 Corporate Credit Card.
  • The RTC will confirm through the MIC what arrangements are in place relating to Strike Team/Task Force transit expenses.
  • Any expenses relating to Strike Team/Task Force placed on the RTCs Corporate Credit Card require an ELS request and approval BEFORE accruing expenses.
• Due to the requirements of the role, personnel assigned to the RTC role should be RFS Staff graded at 6/7 or above.

Related Information

• Policy 4.1.5 Corporate Credit Card