The Netherlands National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations I Introduction 1. The Minister of Security and Justice is responsible for coordinating crisis management on behalf of the government. It is up to him to devise and implement a coherent, integrated crisis management policy and crisis management system. This National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations presents the main points of central government’s crisis management policy and the national crisis organisation system. It works out the principles laid down in the Ministerial Crisis Management Committee (Establishment) Order 2016 2 and outlines the powers, responsibilities and core tasks of the main players in the national crisis structure. 2. The Handbook applies to all situations in which national security is (or may be) at risk or which have (or may have) serious consequences for society. To ensure a coherent approach is taken to a crisis, it may be advisable for political leaders and senior civil servants to assume responsibility for coordinating and making decisions regarding the full spectrum of measures taken and provisions made in cooperation with public and private partners. 3. At the heart of the national decision-making structure in crisis situations are the Interdepartmental Crisis Management Committee (ICMC) and the Ministerial Crisis Management Committee (MCMC). Both these committees are supported and advised by the Interdepartmental Coordination Group and a multidisciplinary staff. All component parts and consultative bodies associated with the national crisis organisation will be called upon when they are needed and will be organised and selected flexibly on a case-by-case and, if necessary, meeting-bymeeting basis. The national crisis organisation will be structured and selected from the outset so as to promote close cooperation and coordination within the network of relevant public and private parties, in order to embed the relevant knowledge and expertise in the national crisis structure. The main processes in the national crisis structure and the public and private partners that may be involved are shown in Annexe A. to actual situations, incidents, events and exercises. The Minister of Security and Justice will submit the necessary proposals to the Cabinet. 5. The National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations is central government’s policy framework and guide for all planning and preparations for specific situations, incidents or events. It serves as a basis for specific agreements in ministerial handbooks, specific national crisis plans, guidelines, etc. Plans and preparations made by third parties should also be consistent with this Handbook in so far as relevant. 6. The National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations applies to the Netherlands, including public bodies in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands, unless stated otherwise. 7. The Handbook is distributed to: -- ministers and state secretaries; -- King’s commissioners; -- mayors; -- heads of the safety regions; -- heads of public bodies in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands; -- the presidents of the House of Representatives and Senate of the States General; -- the president of the Court of Audit; -- the vice president of the Council of State; -- the chairs of the Safety Regions Council, Association of Provincial Authorities, Association of Netherlands Municipalities, Association of Water Authorities, the commissioner of the National Police Force, the head of the Dutch fire service and the chair of the Public Health and Safety Association. 4. The National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations has been adopted by the Cabinet. It may be amended in the light of new circumstances and information, for example in response 2 Ministerial Crisis Management Committee (Establishment) Order 2016 (Government Gazette. 2016, 48258). 11