Incident Command System

Definitions Incident –An occurrence that requires action by emergency service personnel Incident Command System (ICS) –A standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept Slide 2 of 35

ICS Organization Five Major Management Functions Operations Section Planning Section Incident Command Logistics Section Finance/ Administration Section Slide 3 of 35

Span of Control Refers to the number of individuals or resources that one person can effectively manage Effective span of control ranges from 3 to 7 reporting elements per supervisor If the number of reporting elements is not within this range, expansion or consolidation of the ICS organization may be needed Slide 4 of 35

ICS Position Titles Organizational Level TitleSupport Position Incident Command Incident Commander Deputy Command StaffOfficerAssistant Section (General Staff) ChiefDeputy BranchDirectorDeputy Division/GroupSupervisorN/A Strike Team/ Task Force LeaderN/A UnitLeaderManager Single Resource Use unit designation N/A Slide 5 of 35

ICS Organizational Components Sections – Responsible for major functional areas of the incident (Chief) Divisions – Responsible for certain geographic areas of the incident (Supervisor) Group – Responsible for functional areas of operations (Supervisor) Slide 6 of 35

ICS Organizational Components (con’t.) Branches – Used when the number of Divisions or Groups exceeds the span of control (Director) Task Force – Mixed resources with common communications (Task Force Leader) Strike Teams – Resources of the same kind and type with common communications (Strike Team Leader) Slide 7 of 35

Unit – Has responsibility for a specific incident planning, logistics, or finance/administration activity Single Resources – Individuals, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew or team of individuals with an identified supervisor ICS Organizational Components (con’t.) Slide 8 of 35

Expanded ICS Organization Operations Section Planning Section Units Single Resource Single Resources Command Staff General Staff Single Resource Logistics Section Finance / Administration Section Task Force Strike Team Single Resource Group (function) Division (geography) Incident Command Branch Units Slide 9 of 35

Incident Command Incident Commander may have one or more deputies from same agency or from agencies in another jurisdiction Slide 10 of 35

The Incident Commander Should be :  Assertive  Decisive  Objective  Calm  Quick Thinker  Adaptable  Flexible  Realistic  Capable to delegate positions Slide 11 of 35

 The senior First responder on arrival   Agency with primary responsibility   ? Highly Qualified Incident Commander Who is the Incident Commander Slide 12 of 35

At Transfer of Command, the outgoing Incident Commander must give the incoming commander a full briefing AND notify all staff of the change of command Transfer of command Slide 13 of 35

Incident Command Information Officer Safety Officer Liaison Officer Delegation of duties Slide 14 of 35

Dependant on: Life Safety: This is the first priority Incident Stability: IC Determines strategy to: – Minimize the effect that the incident may have on the surrounding area – Maximize the response effort while using the resources efficiently Property conservation: Minimising damage Expansion of Command Structure Slide 15 of 35

Operations Section Where tactical fieldwork is done Potable Water Slide 16 of 35

Planning Section Prepares the Incident Action Plan Slide 17 of 35

Logistics Section Handles all service and support needs Service Branch Communications Unit Medical Unit A (Triage) Medical Unit B (Treatment) Support Branch Facilities Unit Logistics Section Slide 18 of 35

Finance Administration Section Monitors costs Finance/Administration Section Procurement Unit Time Unit Cost Unit Compensation/ Claims Unit Slide 19 of 35

ICS Features and Principles Common terminology Consistent organizational structure Consistent position titles Integrated Communications Common incident facilities Slide 20 of 35

ICS Facilities Incident Command Post Base Staging Area(s) B S Slide 21 of 35

ICS Facilities (con’t.) Camp Helibase Helispots C H Slide 22 of 35

Unified Command Slide 23 of 35

Unified Command All responding agencies will jointly develop a common set of incident objectives and strategies, without losing or giving up agency authority, responsibility or accountability. –Incident will function under a single coordinated Incident Action Plan –One Ops Section Chief will have responsibility for implementing the plan –One Incident Command Post will be established Slide 24 of 35

General Guidelines Establish an Incident Command Post (ICP) –Designate the location and make it known to all incident resources –Account for expansion if situation requires –Can be a mobile or fixed facility –Once established, try not to move it –Manage the activity in the ICP! Slide 25 of 35

General Guidelines Develop Initial Organization –Fill essential top level staff functions first; unit level positions can be filled as required –Overestimate, rather than underestimate –Basics needed first are Operations Resource Check-In Resource Tracking Logistical support –Build it as you need it Slide 26 of 35

General Guidelines Consider specialized needs –Saves IC time when others can handle things like media, agencies, etc. Maintain good span of control –Use 3-7 persons/supervisor as a guide –Anticipate and plan for growth Demobilize elements when no longer necessary Slide 27 of 35

Transfer of Incident Command May be during Shift Change May occur when a senior person elects to assume the Incident Commander role Takes place when operational periods change (shifts) Takes place when lower ranking but more qualified person would be best because of unique circumstances (site knowledge or specialized skill) Should be a face-to-face briefing for transfer of information and situation Slide 28 of 35

De-Escalation Document Everything! You are responsible for what you do or fail to do in managing an incident Conduct After Action Reviews and Lessons Learned sessions to gain knowledge and improve performance Provide crisis counseling or debriefing for responders as needed; offer it even for small incidents Rehab equipment and replace lost or used supplies for next incident Slide 29 of 35

Area Command PlanningLogistics Finance/ Admin. Area Command Slide 30 of 35

Integrated Operations Information Liaison Safety Unified Command PD, FIRE, FBI FBI Operations FIRE/EMS Operations JOC EOC Planning OperationsLogisticsFinance Slide 31 of 35

Joint Operations Center A separate, off-site entity that coordinates the federal crisis and consequence management response Established by the FBI Slide 32 of 35

Emergency Operations Center Typically a pre-designated facility Maintained by a jurisdiction Staffing includes: –Department heads –Government officials –Volunteer agencies It is not a part of on-scene management Slide 33 of 35

Summary Use of ICS will help organize and add logical flow to planned events and emergencies Additional training modules are available for more detail ICS is a proven tool in the management and coordination of known and unknown incidents Slide 34 of 35

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