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

2. 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”!

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. OSHA HAZWOPER Regulations
(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.”

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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!

13. 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.

14. 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!

15. 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

16. 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!

17. Questions?