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Central Government Emergency Response Training (CGERT)

Introduction

The aim of the Central Government Emergency Response Training (CGERT) Course is to equip people with the knowledge, skills and awareness necessary for their role in crisis management at the national strategic level. It is also designed to familiarise those in departmental emergency organisations, in Devolved and Regional Government, and in Gold/Strategic Co-ordination Groups with the Central Response structure and processes.

The Directed Reading Package for Module 2 of the course is also very useful for those not planning to attend the course who wish to know more about central government response to emergencies.

Course Scope and Structure

The course addresses three objectives:

• Promoting a good knowledge of the processes, procedures and allocation of responsibilities in crisis management, based upon the Concept of Operations;
• Developing particular skills needed for crisis management such as the use of planning techniques, preparing situation reports, tracking progress and using various bespoke systems;
• Highlighting the unique working styles and leadership qualities such as dealing with uncertainty, high-tempo decision-making and specific communications skills.

The course is modular in nature and the specific content can be varied according to the role that the attendees fulfil. To assist in targeting the training effectively, potential attendees will need to identify which of the following groups best describes their role:

• Group A/B - Advisors and Operational Personnel: officials within the Central Response working in Departmental cells plus members of Government Liaison Teams, and administrative, technical and operational staff working across the Central Response organisation
• Group C – Delegates: Predominantly senior staff (SCS) liable to attend Strategy Group meetings, the Civil Contingencies Committee (Official) or who have a leadership role in crisis management. Those people leading departmental crisis management teams may also wish to be included in this group.
• Group D – External ‘Interfaces’: Officials in Regional Government, GOLD Commanders and those in departmental crisis management centres who will be required to communicate with the ‘Central Response’ organisation.

CGERT Group D aims & Objectives

Strategic objective

To equip identified staff at devolved, departmental, regional and GOLD levels with the knowledge, skills and awareness necessary for their role in liaison with the Central response.

Aim

To improve the quality and effectiveness of liaison, information sharing and co-ordination between national, regional and local responders.

Objectives

By the end of the seminar the delegates should be able to:

1. Identify key issues in emergency management from the perspectives of a range of Lead Government Departments.
2. Achieve a shared understanding of the value that each tier of the response can add to emergency management.
3. Analyse the factors required for effective liaison, information sharing and co-ordination between national, regional and local responders.

Means

Objectives 1 & 2 will be met primarily by a series of four presentations, each lasting 40 minutes (including question time). These presentations will be given by representatives from the Cabinet Office, the Department for Communities & Local Government (CLG), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Home Office (Office of Security & Counter Terrorism – OSCT).

Objective 3 will be met primarily by the exercise play in syndicates, with plenary debriefs. Exercise phases last 40 minutes, with 25 for syndicate analysis and 15 for plenary discussion. Thus, they will be short and sharp bursts of activity.

Separate arrangements also exist to acquaint Ministers and senior officials in some of the unique aspects of crisis management leadership and process management.

The training modules are structured as follows:

• Module 1: Orientation and familiarisation with the national crisis management facilities.
• Module 2: Understanding the concepts of crisis management at the national Strategic Level.
• Module 3: Managing information and support processes.
• Module 4: Making strategic decisions in crisis management.
• Modules 3 and 4 include a simulation exercise.

• Full list of 2010 course dates (Updated January 2010)

Notes:

All participants in Groups A/B – D should undertake Modules 1 and 2, then one further module appropriate to their grade and role - therefore:

• Group A/B undertake a module that combines elements of 3 & 4 (one full day)
• Group C undertake Module 4 (half day),
• Group D will undertake a combined Module 1 & 4 tailored to their specific requirements (one full day)

Therefore, on completion of CGERT:

• Group A/B participants will have done Modules 1, 2 and a combined 3 & 4
• Group C participants will have done Modules 1, 2 and 4
• Group D will have done a combined Module 1 & 4

All CGERT training is provided free of charge to departments and regional offices.

• Training for Groups A/B – C takes place in COBR or alternative Cabinet Office facilities in central London.

• Training for Group D will take place at the appropriate regional locations.

• All attendees for the training that is held in COBR require a minimum of SC security clearance.

All CGERT courses are run by a cross-Cabinet Office team that includes the National Security Secretariat (NSS), the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) and the Emergency Planning College (EPC). For general enquiries please contact cgert@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk, tel 020 7276 0297.

Directed Reading Package – Module 2

Module 2 consists mainly of a package of directed reading that can be completed at a time and pace of the trainees choosing. A ‘check of understanding’ is included in subsequent modules and attendees will be required to apply that knowledge during the course. As a result, the reading must be undertaken prior to attending Modules 3-5. The directed reading list, with links, is shown below...

Enquiries

For general enquiries please contact cgert@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk, tel 020 7276 0297.

Directed Reading

MODULE 2: Understanding the Organisation of Crisis Management at the National Strategic Level

The table below establishes the objectives of the three primary levels of the CGERT programme. These are statements of what members of each defined group will be able to do on completion of the prescribed reading.

The list may appear dauntingly extensive as it is set out below, but it focuses on four documents:

1. CONOPS: Central Government Arrangements for Responding to an Emergency (Revised March 2010)
2. Emergency Preparedness: guidance on Part 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (issued in November 2005)
3. Emergency Response and Recovery: non-statutory guidance accompanying the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Version 2 issued in August 2009, revisions to be issued on-line)
4. The Lead Government Department and its Role: guidance and best practice (issued in March 2004)

A knowledge of these documents is a prerequisite for you to be able to play a meaningful role in your department or agency’s contribution to the central response.

Group A/B

Advisers and Operatioonal Staff

Group C

Delegates and CO Crisis Management Staff

Group D

External Interface Staff