Independent Consultant, Contingency Solutions
Career Summary
Ron joined Kent Police in 1969 and served in a variety of roles whilst rising through the ranks. Notably he developed a keen interest in training and qualified with the Central Planning and Training Unit to become a National Trainer with responsibilities for running courses for senior commanders relating to public order and major sporting events. Retiring in 2000 at the rank of Superintendent Ron had acquired considerable planning and command experience which served him well in his subsequent role as Course Director at the Emergency Planning College for some six years. In 2006 Ron set up his own company but retains an excellent relationship with the College as an associate. Whilst retaining this link Ron has gone on to development new training and consultancy interests specialising in the crowd safety and event management areas but retaining a broad civil protection credibility and capacity.
Key Work Experience
|
Contingency Solutions – training and consultancy
services. August 2006 - present |
· Provision
of training and consultancy services to public and private sector
specialising in crowd safety and event management areas but with broad civil
protection related experience and capacity · Associate
status with Cabinet Office Emergency Planning College involving design,
development and delivery of training and consultancy services on their behalf · Associate
status with MRL, Crowd Dynamics Ltd and Emergency Planning Solutions Ltd · Broad
customer base within UK and abroad · Operational
capacity within crowd safety management · Well
developed associate base to support larger/more specialised commitments · Three
nominations for ‘Innovations in Training’ for National Outdoor Events
Association Awards. |
|
Course Director – Emergency Planning College.
June 2000 – August 2006 |
· Responsibilities
for design development and delivery of College Courses including the
‘flagship’ courses ‘Introduction to Civil Protection’ and ‘Introduction to
Crowd and Event Safety Management’ · Responsible
for Crowd and Event ‘Spine’ of courses which won prestigious award from
National Outdoor Events Association · Broad
subject involvement notably in relation to ‘Media’ and ‘Mass Fatalities’
courses · Authorship
of ‘Mass Fatalities’ Guidance on behalf of Home Office · Broad
customer and partnership base within UK and abroad |
|
Constable to Superintendent - Kent Police.
October 1969 – June 2000 |
· Broad
range of command experience including area command, major incidents,
firearms, public order, a variety of major events and football · Multi-agency
working across a broad range of topics · Co-ordination
of force Millennium preparations for which Chief Constable Commendation was
awarded · Latterly
responsible for Force Control Room and Operations and Contingency Planning
Teams · National
Trainer for Command Band Public Order and Major Sporting Events courses |
Ron is Director of Contingency Solutions Ltd specialising in consultancy and training services across a broad range of crowd safety management and civil protection related aspects within the UK and internationally.
Prior to this Ron joined the Emergency Planning College in June 2000 following his retirement as Superintendent with Kent County Constabulary. During his policing service he experienced a broad range of command roles including area management, public order, football, firearms and major incidents. He was one of a small team of trainers delivering national training to police commanders in relation to public order and major sporting events.
Ron's latter command included the Force Control Room and the team responsible for the force contingency and operational planning. He notably coordinated the force planning and preparations for the 'Millennium Celebrations' a truly unique project.
As with most aspects of his command the 'Millennium' project was very much a multi-agency approach.
This first hand experience was of tremendous benefit to Ron when he joined the College as Course Director with responsibilities for the design, development and delivery of a broad range of training both for the United Kingdom and internationally. Ron made certain that his involvement at the College was not constrained by his policing background by taking on courses and commitments with which he was less familiar.
Ron was particularly proud of his contribution to 'transformation' at the College in 2004/5. His responsibilities included the design, development and delivery of three 'flagship' courses, crucial to the concept of 'progression' in the College 'spines' of courses.
The first of these is 'Introduction to Civil Protection' and subsequently the equivalent course for Northern Ireland. These foundation courses cover the principles of 'Integrated Emergency Management', Civil Protection, Civil Contingencies and related legislation.
The third of these courses is 'Introduction to Crowd and Public Safety Management'. As co-ordinator for the 'Public Safety (Crowd and Event) Spine of Courses' it was especially gratifying for Ron when it was announced that the College were successful in winning a prestigious award at the National Outdoor Event Association's tribute evening, in 2006, under the category of 'Training in Events'.
Whilst this is a relatively brief summary of Ron's background it is worth also referring to his design of two final specialised courses namely 'Working with the News Media in Emergencies' and 'Planning for Mass Fatalities'. Ron also prepared the initial guidance for mass fatalities to final draft for the Home Office.
Ron's work internationally has included training and cooperation with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) in the US. He has also been involved with training for Singapore, Hong Kong and several European countries.
In February 2008 Ron visited Melbourne to run Crowd Dynamics Workshops with Keith Still for the City, Victoria Police and many of the prominent organisations such as Federation Square, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Australian Grand Prix.
Ron specialised in designing and developing courses particularly those involving crowd management and public safety. He has also assisted event planners in the development and facilitation of exercise to validate their safety planning. Ron has been nominated three times for the National Outdoor Events Association ‘Innovations in Training’ Award.
Ron maintains his links with the Emergency Planning College as 'Associate Course Director' but thrives on the broader range of work now involved with his independent and other associations.
Customers include Premier League, Bourne Leisure (Butlins), Bedford River Festival, Cancer Research UK (Race for Life) and Steel Henge.
Ron is very happily married with an adult family. He enjoys golf (but has plenty of scope to improve), travel (especially cruises) and particularly spending time with his grandson.