The Netherlands National Handbook on Decision-Making in Crisis Situations III Coordination and decision-making at civil service level 1. In the first instance, a situation should be dealt with in an effective manner by the minister or state secretary responsible for the policy field concerned. This entails promptly informing the Minister of Security and Justice and working closely with him to coordinate the necessary measures and communication. 2. A ministry’s response within its own sector is implemented and coordinated by the Departmental Coordination Centre (DCC) or another designated body within the ministry. If it is necessary to involve other policy sectors, the initiative will be taken by the line ministry responsible for the sector in question unless it is agreed that the National Crisis Centre (NCC) will take the initiative. By way of the NCC, the Ministry of Security and Justice will communicate with and provide information to local authorities (province, safety region, municipality) about the decisions taken, unless the law states otherwise. In that case the ministers concerned will notify the Minister of Security and Justice at the same time. 3. Where necessary, an Interdepartmental Crisis Management Committee (ICMC) chaired by the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) may be convened at senior civil servant level (Director-General level). The ICMC will be convened at the NCC. The decision to convene the ICMC will be taken by the chair after consulting the ministry with primary responsibility for the matter at hand and informing all other ministries. The ICMC’s composition will be determined by the chair after consulting the DG of the ministry with primary responsibility. The ICMC will be made up of: -- the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (chair); -- senior adviser, Ministry of General Affairs; -- representatives of the responsible ministries (delegates representing the minister) at DG/Deputy DG/SG level and up to one adviser; -- the head of the National Crisis Centre (executive secretary). 4. To coordinate and take decisions on a specific matter, the chair of the ICMC, after consulting with the minister with primary responsibility, can invite experts to attend the ICMC’s meetings on an ad hoc basis. These may include experts in a specific field or expert representatives of other authorities, government services or vital sectors. 5. The ICMC’s tasks are to: -- exchange information and identify information gaps; -- gain an understanding of the situation and make an assessment of it; -- decide on measures in response to the Interdepartmental Coordination Group’s recommendations or otherwise; -- advise the Prime Minister (= the Minister of General Affairs) and the Minister of Security and Justice on convening the MCMC; -- advise the ministerial committee and/or other government bodies on coordination and decision-making regarding the full spectrum of measures; -- provide advice on the national and international political consequences of measures taken or proposed; -- establish strategic frameworks; -- draw up instructions for the civil service; -- establish policy frameworks for public information materials and announcements; -- determine the structure and frequency of meetings. 17