Incident Command System(ICS)

Incident Command System

Unit 1:   Course Overview Introduction to ICS

ICS-100 Course Objective

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS).

Unit 2: ICS Overview

What Is an Incident?

An incident is . . .

. . . an occurrence, either caused by human or natural phenomena, that requires response actions to prevent or minimize loss of life, or damage to property and/or the environment.

What Is ICS?

The Incident Command System:

Is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept. 

Allows its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure to match the complexities and demands of single or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.

ICS Purposes

Using management best practices, ICS helps to ensure:

The safety of responders and others.

The achievement of tactical objectives.

The efficient use of resources.

History of ICS

Weaknesses in incident management were due to:

Lack of accountability. 

Poor communication. 

Lack of a planning process. 

Overloaded Incident Commanders. 

No method to integrate interagency requirements. 

The identification of these areas of management weakness resulted in the development of ICS.

Other ICS Mandates

Hazardous Materials Incidents

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) – 1986

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Rule 1910.120

State and Local Regulations

ICS Benefits

Meets the needs of incidents of any kind or size.

Allows personnel from a variety of agencies to meld rapidly into a common management structure. 

Provides logistical and administrative support to operational staff. 

Is cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts. 

Unit 3:   Basic Features of ICS 

Common Terminology

Using common terminology helps to define:

Organizational functions.

Incident facilities.

Resource descriptions.

Position titles.

Use of Plain English

Communications should be in plain English or clear text. 

Do not use radio codes, agency-specific codes, or jargon.
 Even if you use radio codes on a daily basis, why should you use plain EEven if you use radio codes on a daily basis, why should you use plain English during an incident response?  

Why Plain English?

EMT = Emergency Medical Treatment

EMT = Emergency Medical Technician    

EMT = Emergency Management Team  

EMT = Eastern Mediterranean Time (GMT+0200)    

EMT = Effective Methods Team    

EMT = Effects Management Tool 

EMT = El Monte, CA (airport code)    

EMT = Electron Microscope Tomography    

EMT = Email Money Transfer    

Common Terminology:  Example

Which is the example of common terminology?

 A.

This is Unit 1, we  have a 10-37, Code 2. 

B.

Unit 1, the flood waters are rising and we need additional resources for sandbagging

Modular Organization (1 of 2)

Develops in a top-down, modular fashion. 

Is based on the size and complexity of the incident.

Is based on the hazard environment created by the incident. 

Modular Organization (2 of 2)

Incident objectives determine the organizational size. 

Only functions/positions that are necessary will be filled.  

Each element must have a person in charge.

Overall Priorities

Incident objectives are established based on the following priorities:

#1: Life Saving

#2: Incident Stabilization

#3: Property Preservation

Chain of Command

Chain of command is an orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident management organization. 

Unity of Command

Under unity of command, personnel:

Report to only one supervisor. 

Receive work assignments only from their supervisors.

Unified Command

Enables all responsible agencies to manage an incident together by establishing a common set of incident objectives and strategies. 

Allows Incident Commanders to make joint decisions by establishing a single command structure.

Maintains unity of command.  Each employee only reports to one supervisor.

Example:  Unified Command

A football team is returning home from a State tournament.  Their bus is involved in an accident on the bridge that marks the county line.  

Most of the bus is in Franklin County.

A small part of the bus is in Revere County (their home county).

Manageable Span of Control

Span of control:

Pertains to the number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident.

Is key to effective and efficient incident management.

Span of Control Considerations

Span of control considerations are influenced by the:

Type of incident.

Nature of the task.

Hazards and safety factors.

Distances between personnel and resources.

ICS Management:  Span of Control

ICS span of control for any supervisor:

Is between 3 and 7 subordinates.

Optimally does not exceed 5 subordinates.

Predesignated Incident Facilities

Established by the Incident Commander based on the requirements and complexity of the incident.  

Integrated Communications

Incident communications are facilitated through: 

The development and use of a common communications plan.

The interoperability of communication equipment, procedures, and systems.

Before an incident, it is critical to develop an integrated voice and data communications system (equipment, systems, and protocols). 

Interoperability Saves Lives

Jan. 13, 1982:   Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th St. Bridge in Washington, DC, during a snowstorm.  More than 70 people lost their lives.  Police, fire, and EMS crews responded quickly to the scene but discovered that they couldn't coordinate their efforts because they couldn't talk to each other by radio.

Sept. 11, 2001:   When American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, 900 users from 50 different agencies were able to communicate with one another.  Response agencies had learned an invaluable lesson from the Air Florida tragedy.
 Interoperability makes sense.  It's a cost-saver, a resource saver, and a lifesaver.

Unit 4:   Incident Commander and Command Staff Functions 

Incident Commander (1 of 2)

Upon arriving at an incident, the higher ranking person will either assume command, maintain command as is, or transfer command to a third party.

Incident Commander (2 of 2)

The Incident Commander performs all major ICS command and staff responsibilities unless the ICS functions are delegated and assigned.

Incident Commander Role

The Incident Commander:

Provides overall leadership for incident response.

Delegates authority to others.

Takes general direction from agency administrator/official.

Incident Commander Responsibilities

The Incident Commander is specifically responsible for:

Ensuring incident safety. 

Providing information services to internal and external stakeholders. 

Establishing and maintaining liaison with other agencies participating in the incident.

The Incident Commander: 

Is responsible for all activities and functions until delegated and assigned to staff.

Assesses need for staff.

Establishes incident objectives.

Directs staff to develop the Incident Action Plan. 

Deputy Incident Commander

A Deputy Incident Commander may be designated to:

Perform specific tasks as requested by the Incident Commander.

Perform the incident command function in a relief capacity.

Represent an assisting agency that shares jurisdiction.

Command Staff

It may be necessary for the Incident Commander to designate a Command Staff who:

Provide information, liaison, and safety services for the entire organization.

Report directly to the Incident Commander.

Public Information Officer (PIO)
Safety Officer

Liaison Officer

Unit 5:   General Staff Functions 

Expanding Incidents

Expanding incidents may add supervisory layers to the organizational structure as needed.

General Staff

This unit focuses on the role of the General Staff in the ICS organizational structure.

Operations Section

Directs and coordinates all incident tactical operations.

Is typically one of the first organizations to be assigned to the incident.

Expands from the bottom up. 

Has the most incident resources.

May have Staging Areas and special organizations.

Planning Section

Maintains resource status.

Maintains and displays situation status.

Prepares the Incident Action Plan.

Develops alternative strategies.

Provides documentation services.

Prepares the Demobilization Plan.

Provides a primary location for Technical Specialists assigned to an incident.

Logistics Section

Responsible for:

Communications.

Medical support to incident personnel.

Food for incident personnel.

Supplies.

Facilities.

Ground support.

The Logistics Section Chief:

Provides resources and services required to support incident activities.

Develops portions of Incident Action Plan and forwards them to Planning Section.

Contracts for and purchases goods and services needed at the incident.

Logistics Section: 

 Service Branch

The Service Branch may be made up of the following Units:

 Communications Unit

Prepares and supports the Incident Communication Plan (ICS Form 205).

Distributes and maintains communications equipment.

Supervises the Incident Communications Center.

Ensures adequate communications over the incident.

Medical Unit

Develops the Medical Plan (ICS Form 206).

Provides first aid and light medical treatment.

Prepares procedures for a major medical emergency.

Food Unit

Supplies the food and potable water.

Obtains equipment and supplies to operate food service facilities.

Logistics Section: 

 Support Branch

Finance/Administration Section Chief

The Finance/Admin Section Chief:

Is responsible for financial and cost analysis.

Oversees contract negotiations.

Tracks personnel and equipment time.

Processes claims for accidents and injuries.

Works with Logistics to ensure resources are procured.

Finance/Administration Section

Contract negotiation and monitoring 

Timekeeping 

Cost analysis 

Compensation for injury or damage to property

Unit 6:   ICS Facilities 

Incident Facilities:  Incident Command Post

Incident Command Post (ICP): 

Is the location from which the Incident Commander oversees all incident operations.  

May change locations during the event. 

May be located in a vehicle, trailer, tent, or within a building. 

Should be positioned outside of the present and potential hazard zone but close enough to the incident to maintain command.  

Every incident must have some form of an Incident Command Post.  

Incident Facilities:  Staging Area

Staging Areas:

Are temporary locations at an incident where personnel and equipment are kept while waiting for tactical assignments.  The resources in the Staging Area are always in available status.  There may be more than one Staging Area at an incident. 

Should be located close enough to the incident for a timely response, but far enough away to be out of the immediate impact zone.

May be collocated with the ICP, Bases, Camps, Helibases, or Helispots. 

Incident Facilities:  Base

Base:

Is the location from which primary logistics and administrative functions are coordinated and administered. There is only one Base per incident, and it is designated by the incident name.

May be collocated with the Incident Command Post.  

Is established and managed by the Logistics Section.  The resources in the Base are always out of service.

Incident Facilities:  Camps

Camps:

Are where resources may be kept to support incident operations if a Base is not accessible to all resources.  Multiple Camps may be used, but not all incidents will have Camps.

Are temporary locations within the general incident area that are equipped and staffed to provide food, water, sleeping areas, and sanitary services.  

Are designated by geographic location or number.

Incident Facilities:  Helibase/Helispots

A Helibase is the location from which helicopter-centered air operations are conducted.  Helibases are generally used on a more long-term basis and include such services as fueling and maintenance.  

Helispots are more temporary locations at the incident, where helicopters can safely land and take off.  Multiple Helispots may be used.

Activity:  Locate the ICS Facilities

Severe weather caused the collapse of the school gymnasium. 

More than 50 students are critically injured.  Numerous resources are on scene or have been dispatched including MedEvac helicopters.  

It is projected that the operations will continue for at least the next 15 hours.