Incident command use for pipeline emergencies Glen H. Boatwright Director of Regulatory Compliance & Principal Consultant

Why Incident Command? Nationwide standard for emergency management Enhances accountability and safety Transcends organizational boundaries Adaptable to any type of incident Builds credibility with public sector responders Because it’s not a matter of “if”, but “when”!

History of ICS Developed in the 1970’s in California during several major wildfires Developed in response to identified shortcomings: Non-standard terminology Too many people reporting to one supervisor Lack of ability to expand and contract Non standard/non-integrated communications Lack of consolidated action plans Lack of designated facilities (Command Post, Staging, etc.) ICS is the foundation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) developed in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001

Why Use ICS? ICS Myths… ICS takes too many people. Just look at how complicated an ICS organizational chart is! ICS is just for large incidents. It’s too cumbersome for small, routine incidents. ICS is just for fire departments. Use ICS to effectively manage an incident. ICS is a management system…not just an organizational chart. ICS will enhance accountability and bring order to an otherwise chaotic event.

NIMS & ICS Homeland Security Presidential Directive -5, Management of Domestic Incidents: Issued by the President on February 28, 2003 Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Requires all Federal departments and agencies to: Adopt NIMS Use it in their individual domestic incident management and emergency prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation programs and activities. Makes NIMS compliance a condition of Federal grant assistance ICS is a core component and interim compliance step

OSHA HAZWOPER Regulations 1910.120(q)(3) Procedures for handling emergency response: “The senior emergency response official responding to an emergency shall become the individual in charge of a site-specific Incident Command System (ICS). All emergency responders and their communications shall be coordinated and controlled through the individual in charge of the ICS assisted by the senior official present for each employer.”

ICS Organization Five Major Components: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, & Finance/Administration Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance/ Administration

Incident Commander Life Safety Incident Stabilization All incidents, regardless of size will have an incident commander First on the scene is typically the IC until relieved by a higher authority On most incidents, the command activity is carried out by a single IC Establishes Incident Command Post (ICP) The IC has three major priorities: Life Safety Incident Stabilization Property Conservation

Command Staff Command Staff positions may be established to assign/delegate command activities that the IC cannot perform due to the complexity of the incident Safety Officer – monitors all scene safety; has authority to stop operations based on safety concern Public Information Officer – Handles media inquires, prepares statements, establishes media area Liaison Officer – On-scene contact for other agencies

General Staff Operations Section – responsible for managing on-scene tactical operations. Executes Incident Action Plan Planning Section – responsible for collecting, evaluating and disseminating information. Prepares Incident Action Plan Logistics Section – meets all support needs for the incident Finance/Administration Section – tracks expenditures

ICS Organizational Chart Incident Commander Safety Officer Public Information Officer Liaison Officer Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section Finance/Admin Section Branches Divisions or Groups Strike Team Task Force Single Resource Resource Unit Situation Unit Demobilization Unit Documentation Unit Technical Specialists Food Unit Comm. Unit Medical Unit Supply Unit Time Unit Procurement Unit Comp./Claims Unit Cost Unit Ground Support Unit Facilities Unit

ICS Management by Objectives ICS is managed by objectives Objectives are communicated throughout the entire ICS organization The Incident Commander establishes Objectives & Strategy based on: Life Safety Incident Stabilization Property Conservation The Operations Section Chief is responsible for Tactical Operations directed toward meeting the incident objectives set by the IC The key element is Communications!

ICS Key Points ICS is a modular concept – resources are organized into Sections, Branches, Groups, Divisions, Units, or Teams when the span of control exceeds seven. ICS organizations should only reflect what is required to meet tactical objectives. ICS is adaptable to any type of incident regardless of complexity. Public and private sector responders can operate jointly within an ICS structure.

Exercises-Testing your Emergency Plans Exercises are a critical component of an effective emergency management program The Incident Command System should be a key evaluation data point in exercises Tabletop exercises, Enhanced Tabletop Exercises, Full Scale Drills Exercises should have defined goals, objectives, and ground rules Evaluations shouldn’t be limited to the operational response to the trigger event (working with public sector responders, crisis communications, coordination among various entities within the organization) Evaluations should be thorough, objective and specific with strengths and areas for improvement identified Recommendations from exercises should have owners and deadlines; fix what you find!

Closing Thoughts On line computer based ICS training is valuable-but do your employees understand practical application during a pipeline emergency? ICS should be a key component of an overall emergency management program Pipeline Public Awareness Liaison efforts should include ICS discussions with emergency responders Effectiveness of ICS training should be evaluated through exercises and drills

Incidents will Occur Despite best efforts, and noteworthy operations and maintenance activities incidents will occur There are triggers that are out of our control: Weather Outside force damage; lack of use of 811 Unpredictable events Intentional acts Not being prepared is simply unacceptable!

Questions?