Deputy Minister's Award Canada Command

Pan-government planning team is a pre-Olympic winner

With months still remaining before Canadians go for gold at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, one team has already made a trip to the medal podium.

A Canada Command trio responsible for developing security criteria received a Deputy Minister’s Award, recognizing their contribution to help federal departments achieve a whole-of-government approach to security at the Games.

Led by Reg Fountain, the team – which also includes contractors Wayne Douglas and Bill Soros – was cited for its work to produce Joint Mission Essential Tasks (JMETs). Dividing security-related tasks into eight areas of capability, the JMETs support the broad Capability Review Management Framework (CRMF) used by security planners within the Privy Council Office. Nothing this comprehensive has ever been attempted in Canada.

“This marks the first time that a strategic planning instrument includes all federal departments and agencies,” says Fountain, who retired as a member of the regular forces a year to the day before receiving the award. “It focuses on how they work together, taking into account their operational cycles.”

He explains that while the plan covers a wide range of contingencies, including a nuclear threat and terrorist attack, it is general enough to be adapted by the various organizations. “It addresses operations at the theatre, regional and deployed headquarters levels, but it doesn’t get into how each department or agency works internally.”

In preparing for the Vancouver Games, the CRMF is being used to track the evolution of various functions undertaken by federal bodies – including the RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit (ISU) – against available resources and assets. Rather than determining a pass/fail standing or identifying which departments are best prepared, it provides a set of measures that can be used to help government organizations achieve specific goals or mitigate negative outcomes. As planning progresses, the framework can also help identify gaps in capabilities or processes that must be resolved before the Games begin.

The project’s immediate goal is to ensure that all parts of government are well positioned to ensure security in Vancouver next February and March. But, the CRMF can also be adapted for future requirements, providing a useful set of analytical tools for solving common problems associated with emergency responses. The complexity of those problems will dictate the depth to which the CRMF is applied. In addition, although the framework was developed for use at the national level, it can be adjusted for application to regional or local events that involve several government organizations. The overall objective was to develop a set of common standards for a co-ordinated, effective response to a threat or crisis.

After a lengthy first draft was sent back for revisions, Fountain’s team had a more concise version of the task document in place for trials during the Government of Canada Olympic preparatory security exercises Bronze and Silver. Now, as Exercise Gold – November 2 to 6, 2009 – approaches, he says the plan continues to be refined. Meanwhile, he has nothing but praise for his teammates. “I picked them because of their background experience and skills, and they did an exceptional job.”

Pictured left to right are :
Bill Soros, Wayne Douglas, Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden and Reg Fountain