Summary of Recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS

Improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of Disaster Management and the reduction of the negative affects experienced by those involved in a disaster.

1.

To reduce the number of agencies/organisations involved in disaster activities by utilising independent specialist organisations for search, recovery, identification and post-mortem where necessary to determine cause of death.To create a Disaster Management Office for the co-ordination of manpower, equipment, and the provision of the necessary resources supporting disaster activities and the practical necessities of Survivors, Bereaved Relatives, and other involved personnel. This Office would also immediately convene an Inquiry. An immediate Inquiry will expedite investigation of the disaster utilising Police and other investigative specialist agencies and have the full authority of law to determine responsibility and effect prosecution when necessary. Recommendations made as a result of the Inquiry must have a time scale and oversight responsibility.

2.

To insure uniformity of implementation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Statutory Codes of Practice and designated oversight should be established for 1) Identification Procedures, 2) Post-Mortems, 3) Pathology procedures, and 4) Mortuary operation.

NOTE: Since these activities are not done in isolation in a disaster (or cases of sudden death), there should be only one oversight body such as the Health and Safety Executive Department.All practitioners involved must have compulsory pre-training appropriate for the position with psychological screening to determine suitability for the post. To insure accountability, all positions need to have full terms of reference of appointment or employment including complaints and dismissal procedures.

3.

The Coroner System is not considered suitable for major disasters with the current availability of specialist organisations. An Independent Commission should be convened to review whether in this day and age the Coroner System is a viable service to the community.

NOTE: The Commission should include people who have personally experienced sudden loss such as members of Disaster Action, Road Peace or similar organisations.

4.

The "ownership" of the deceased should reside with the Next of Kin or Family not with the State. The need and requirement of establishing cause of death can be adhered to without encroaching on the desires or wishes of the deceased or of the family.

5.

MAG recognises and supports the training courses that have been set up for Disaster Management and Police Family Liaison Officers. These are not a statutory requirement and we consider that these good practices should be funded by Central Government. There needs to be an independent review to consider the continuity and consistency of these programs to support uniformity throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. At present the responsibility and costs of a disaster fall on the local county where the disaster occurs. MAG recommends that all costs should be covered by funds from Central Government.

24 October 2005

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	RECOMMENDATIONS
	Improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of Disaster Management and the reduction of the negative affects experienced by those involved in a disaster.
1.	To reduce the number of agencies/organisations involved in disaster activities by utilising independent specialist organisations for search, recovery, identification and post-mortem where necessary to determine cause of death.To create a Disaster Management Office for the co-ordination of manpower, equipment, and the provision of the necessary resources supporting disaster activities and the practical necessities of Survivors, Bereaved Relatives, and other involved personnel. This Office would also immediately convene an Inquiry. An immediate Inquiry will expedite investigation of the disaster utilising Police and other investigative specialist agencies and have the full authority of law to determine responsibility and effect prosecution when necessary. Recommendations made as a result of the Inquiry must have a time scale and oversight responsibility.
2.	To insure uniformity of implementation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Statutory Codes of Practice and designated oversight should be established for 1) Identification Procedures, 2) Post-Mortems, 3) Pathology procedures, and 4) Mortuary operation. NOTE: Since these activities are not done in isolation in a disaster (or cases of sudden death), there should be only one oversight body such as the Health and Safety Executive Department.All practitioners involved must have compulsory pre-training appropriate for the position with psychological screening to determine suitability for the post. To insure accountability, all positions need to have full terms of reference of appointment or employment including complaints and dismissal procedures.
3.	The Coroner System is not considered suitable for major disasters with the current availability of specialist organisations. An Independent Commission should be convened to review whether in this day and age the Coroner System is a viable service to the community. NOTE: The Commission should include people who have personally experienced sudden loss such as members of Disaster Action, Road Peace or similar organisations.
4.	The "ownership" of the deceased should reside with the Next of Kin or Family not with the State. The need and requirement of establishing cause of death can be adhered to without encroaching on the desires or wishes of the deceased or of the family.
5.	MAG recognises and supports the training courses that have been set up for Disaster Management and Police Family Liaison Officers. These are not a statutory requirement and we consider that these good practices should be funded by Central Government. There needs to be an independent review to consider the continuity and consistency of these programs to support uniformity throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. At present the responsibility and costs of a disaster fall on the local county where the disaster occurs. MAG recommends that all costs should be covered by funds from Central Government.
	24 October 2005