Select Committee on Public Accounts Minutes of Evidence


APPENDIX 1

Q144

ACTION PLAN FOR NAO REPORT ON THE HM COASTGUARD: CIVIL MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE (PAC 97-98/364)

PART 2:

SEARCH AND RESCUE CAPABILITY

PagePara NAO Recommendation
(As detailed on pages 47/48 & page 73)
Actions Required Target
completion
date
Technical Inspections
252.12 Monitor frequency with which technical inspections are carried out, to ensure full compliance with the recently revised inspection regime for telecommunications equipment. Technical inspection programme on schedule. 1/5/1998
Monthly reports to MCA Management Board. 31/5/1998
Telephones
262.14HMCG should conduct a survey to monitor whether callers have difficulty contacting co-ordination centres, particularly on direct lines. Frequent management review of tape recorded 999 telephone lines, particularly when doubt arises over efficacy. 1/5/1998
Conduct an independent 'customers' survey & report in 1998-99 MCA Annual Report. 31/3/1999
Number and location
272.15If proposed closure of 4 rescue centres & co-location of 2 others goes ahead, review in due course its impact on: the workloads for each centre and watch officers; flexibility in the use of staff; and effectiveness of search and rescue co-ordination. Ministers have yet to make decision on 5-Year Strategy following consultation. After decision
Commission report as required.
Preparedness
32/332.25 Ensure compliance with required regime of formal inspections of co-ordination centres operational readiness and watch officers general familiarity with their search and rescue area. Conduct baseline survey.1/5/1998
Set up reporting database. Correct deficiencies. 31/5/1998
Monthly report to MCA Management Board 31/5/1998
Coastal Rescue Teams
362.31Identify coverage provided by coastal response teams. Produce detailed District maps.31/7/1998
Monitor proportion of teams which are not up to nominal strength. Conduct baseline survey.31/3/1998
Number of incidents when teams are below strength and extent to which this impaired effectiveness. Monthly report to MCA Management Board. 31/5/1998
I warranted take steps to bolster the numbers of volunteers. District report as part of casualty reports (CG15b). 1/5/1998
Management Information System (MIS). 1/4/1999
Heighten recruitment initiatives. Ongoing
36/372.32 HMCG should provide training for coastal response teamsbased on the acquisition and use of the requisite skills ratherthan a minimum number of hours. Revise training policy.1/7/1998
Introduce 'Certification' regime for key activities (driving, boats, cliff etc.). Early 1999
372.33Information collected on % of teams fully trainedEnsure formal inspections carried out with requiredfrequency. Conduct baseline survey for review. 1/5/1998
Updated monthly reports to MCA Management Board. 31/5/1998
HM Coastguard Vehicles
382.37HMCG investigate feasibility of contracting out more aspects of the management of its vehicle fleet. Consider ways to improve quality & efficiency, including sponsorship, and revise contract renewal specification. 1/12/1998
Helicopters
402.42Once results of MOD review are known, HMCG should consider scope for rationalising helicopter coverage along south coast so as to reach decisions in good time before contract renewal of Solent & Portland in 2003. Conduct review of coverage prior to re-letting Coastguard contract. After MOD decision
Planning for Major Emergencies
43/442.47 HMCG should provide better guidance on emergency planning, based on the guidance and plans of other relevant and ensure compliance by co-ordination centres. Conduct baseline survey of current state of HMCG emergency plans. 1/4/1998
Issue Standardised plan formats, to incorporate best practice. 1/8/1998
44/452.48 HMCG should issue guidance to all co-ordination centres on dealing with loss of a centre and major radio breakdowns, to ensure a common approach across the service. Conduct baseline survey of current state of HMCG emergency plans. 1/4/1998
Issue Standardised plan formats, to incorporate best practice, and establish check procedure as part of Operational Readiness Inspections. 1/8/1998
452.49HMCG should review its debriefing arrangements following major SAR & exercises in consultation with local advisory committee members and rescuers. Issue revised instructions.1/3/1998
Establish SAR exercise internal review procedures in operational instructions. 1/5/1998
SAR exercise brief to be standard agenda item on Local SAR committees. 31/3/1999
462.50HMCG should ensure all co-ordination centres participate in the required number of major exercises. Revise definition of Major Exercise. 8/9/1997
Monthly report of Major exercises to MCA Management Board. 31/5/1998
Measuring and Reporting Capability
472.51HMCG should introduce an improved set of capability indicatory as described in Appendix 2. Performance indicators revised and improved. 1/4/1998
Implement as part of Management Information System. 1/1/1999
PART 3: RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
Speed of Answering
55/563.8 HMCG should obtain better assurance that calls are handled immediately and handle such calls appropriately, by carrying out a survey of those who have requested assistance by radio or the telephone. Conduct an independent survey and report in 1998-99 MCA Annual Report. 31/3/1999
Integrated Coastguard Communications System (ICCS project-telephone element to be revised to enable telephone call surveys; but in the meantime: 31/3/2002
We are investigating with BT the cost and benefits of monthly reports of HMCG '999' responses. 30/6/1998
Effective Communications
5.63.10 HMCG should further enhance its guidance on call handling by including more explicit rules on the aspects of effective communication which are currently not covered, and by ensuring that where relevant the guidance is applied to both telephone and radio communications. Issue improved guidance.1/6/1998
False Alarms
683.31HMCG should analyse cause of false alarms to assess whether action could be taken to reduce the number of false alarms where rescue resources are sent. We are conducting baseline analysis of false alarms and will introduce guidelines, as appropriate. 1/8/1998
Monitoring and Reporting Performance
713.34HMCG should provide reviewing officers with an aide-memoire along the lines of fig 33, to improve consistency of review and to obtain better management information about the quality of work at co-ordination centres. Such improvements should permit a reduction in the number of reviews of each incident. Aide-memoire to be published as amendment to the Coastguard operational procedures. 31/3/1998
Performance Measurement and Reporting
723.36HMCG should introduce an improved set of response indicators as described in Appendix 2. Performance Indicators revised and improved. 1/4/1998
Implement as part of Management Information System. 1/1/1999

Committees meet annually

Revised definition in hand prior to publication of NAO Report Shaded Areas show action complete

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
13 May 1998


 
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