Safety and Security: Health Risk Management – A Tool for Planning Force Health Protection

Abstract

The spectrum of hazards and threats which confront a military force varies widely depending on the environment, mission type and intensity of conflict. In a deteriorating security situation, an increasing threat of violence against the force may also be accompanied by an increase in other hazards. A breakdown in law and order can lead to criminality, public health and sanitation measures may fail and potentially dangerous industrial, agricultural or medical facilities can become neglected. If these are accompanied by the outbreak of conflict, the number of hazards and threats multiply, requiring more significant force protection measures to deal with them. Natural or man-made hazards may well present the most likely threat to the military force even if the actions of adversaries are the most dangerous. In common with other aspects of military operations, force protection is ultimately a balance between risk (sometimes poorly quantified) and finite resources. Force Health Protection (FHP) is the collective term for activities that reduce or eliminate the incidence of battle injuries, disease and non-battle injuries, thus enhancing the operational health readiness and combat effectiveness of the military force. FHP consists of actions taken to counter the debilitating effects of environment, disease and selected special weapon systems through preventive measures taken by individuals, units and operational formations. Health Risk Management (HRM) is an analytical process that facilitates the creation of the FHP plan. As such, it is also a key element of the Health Services Support contribution to the overall estimate process.