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C 2 INCIDENT HANDLING 2.1 GENERAL If an incident should occur it is essential that it is dealt with quickly and efficiently with as little disruption to the event as is possible and to the benefit of all concerned. To that end the Stage Safety Team must know the location of their Stage or Sector Commander, and Stage Safety Officer, Rescue services etc. The Stage Commander is best located at the start of the stage. If the situation is such that the stage requires to be held then the instruction to hold the stage MUST be actioned by him. If he is not at the start OR not immediately available by radio, then the Stage Safety Officer must take on the responsibility. It is imperative that these officials are very experienced, with a sound knowledge of the sport, and work together. 2.2 SUPeR SYSTEM In order to process an incident more effectively there exists a SUPeR word system. The application of this system is explained below and is in use on a national basis. Should you be advised of, or witness an incident you may include one of the following words in your initial call to control:-
The types of situations which would merit these priorities are:
Use common sense - DO NOT overrate the urgency of your message unnecessarily. Be sure to have as much information as is to hand before you make your call to control. This will prevent any unnecessary delays and assist in the speedy conclusion of the incident. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PASS ON INFORMATION AS GIVEN - WITHOUT PERSONAL COMMENT OR EMBELLISHMENT. If an alternative frequency to the MSA Safety & Medical system is in use, i.e. ATC, TA, Radio Amateurs etc., then ensure that there is a competent motor sport person stationed at each radio point, including the control, to ensure that the correct level of priority is instigated. This is how a SUPeR call should be initiated.
Control will then ask Auto Mercury three to 'Go Ahead' with their message and deal appropriately with it in conjunction with the correct on stage and/or off stage personnel. Common sense will dictate who needs to take the decision and who will act on it. Whilst dealing with the incident the Control will announce to the radio network that it is accepting SAFETY and above status messages only. This means that any messages under SAFETY status must not be transmitted until the SAFETY status has been downgraded. If the call should escalate or be superseded by an URGENT message then control will increase the minimum status to URGENT. Similarly should a PRIORITY call be received, that status then becomes the network minimum. If a SAFETY, URGENT or PRIORITY call is made, it could be that on listening to the details of the incident, you have relevant information which will help. In this instance you may use RELEVANT in order to pass your message i.e. ‘Auto Mercury Control from Auto Mercury Five, RELEVANT, Over.’ All other stations with no involvement should remain silent until told that the emergency is over, or until called. As soon as the incident has been dealt with the Control will downgrade the level of restriction applied to the radio network. The restriction will be reduced level by level until all calls are exhausted at which point normal transmission will be resumed. For obvious reasons the SUPeR system MUST ONLY be used in situations which demand it and then only after due consideration has been given for the level to be applied. If it becomes necessary to call 999 for County Ambulance etc, it is recommended that arrangements are made to send a radio to the meeting point. (Appendix iv & Appendix v provide a useful step by step guide for operators dealing with incidents and emergencies).
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