1. Basic Incident Command

2. What is ICS?  The model tool to coordinate the efforts of individual agencies CommandCommand ControlControl CoordinationCoordination

3. History  Nonstandard terminology among responding agencies.  Lack of capability to expand and contract  Nonstandard and nonintegrated communications.  Lack of consolidated action plans.  Lack of designated facilities. ICS was developed in the 1970s in response to major wildfires in southern California to address several identified recurring problems

4. What Will be Covered  Concepts and Principles  Organization  Resource Planning  Facilities  Resource Management  How ARES fits into the ICS concept An Overview of the Incident Command Concept

5. Concepts and Principles  Common Terminology  Modular Organization  Integrated Communications  Unity of Command  Unified Command Structure  Consolidated Incident Action Plans  Manageable Span of Control  Designated Incident Facilities  Comprehensive Resource Management

6. Concepts and Principles  Common Terminology Use common names for personnel and equipment resourcesUse common names for personnel and equipment resources Radio transmissions in plain English (no 10 codes or agency specific codes/language)Radio transmissions in plain English (no 10 codes or agency specific codes/language) Applies to all organizational elements, position titles, and resourcesApplies to all organizational elements, position titles, and resources

7. Concepts and Principles  Modular Organization Develops “top down”Develops “top down” Can expand or contract based on current needsCan expand or contract based on current needs ICS can consist of several layersICS can consist of several layers

8. Concepts and Principles  Integrated Communications Common communications planCommon communications plan Standard operating proceduresStandard operating procedures Clear textClear text Common terminologyCommon terminology Common frequenciesCommon frequencies

9. Concepts and Principles  Unity of command Each person within an organization reports to only one designated personEach person within an organization reports to only one designated person

10. Concepts and Principles  Unified Command All agencies contribute to the command process byAll agencies contribute to the command process by –Determining overall objectives –Planning jointly while conducting integrated operations –Maximizing use of all assigned resources

11. Concepts and Principles  Incident Action Plan Incident functions under a single, coordinated IAPIncident functions under a single, coordinated IAP One Operations Section Chief has responsibility for implementingOne Operations Section Chief has responsibility for implementing One Incident Command Post is establishedOne Incident Command Post is established  Consolidated IAP when Resources from multiple agencies Multiple jurisdictions Incident is complex Prepared for an operational period (12 hrs common)

12. Concepts and Principles  Manageable Span of Control Defined as the number of individuals one supervisor can manage effectivelyDefined as the number of individuals one supervisor can manage effectively ICS range is 3-7 resources, 5 optimumICS range is 3-7 resources, 5 optimum

13. Concepts and Principles  Designated Incident Facilities Incident Command Post (ICP)Incident Command Post (ICP) Staging areasStaging areas –For resources awaiting assignment Others may be designated depending on geographical extent or resources neededOthers may be designated depending on geographical extent or resources needed

14. Concepts and Principles  Comprehensive Resource Management Maximizes resource useMaximizes resource use Consolidates control of single resourcesConsolidates control of single resources Reduces communications loadReduces communications load Provides accountabilityProvides accountability Reduces freelancingReduces freelancing Ensures personnel safetyEnsures personnel safety

15. Concepts and Principles  Comprehensive Resource Management All resources assigned a status conditionAll resources assigned a status condition –ASSIGNED – performing active functions –AVAILABLE – ready for assignment –OUT-OF-SERVICE – not ready for assigned or available status

16. ICS Organization  Command  Planning  Operations  Logistics  Finance/Administration

17. ICS Organization  All incidents, regardless of size or complexity, will have an Incident Commander  Responsible for on-scene management until command is transferred  May expand or contract ICS organization depending on priorities of LIFE SAFETYLIFE SAFETY INCIDENT STABILITYINCIDENT STABILITY PROPERTY CONSERVATIONPROPERTY CONSERVATION COMMAND

18. ICS Organization  Planning Section responsibilities Collection, evaluation, dissemination, and use of info about the development of the incident and status of resourcesCollection, evaluation, dissemination, and use of info about the development of the incident and status of resources Creation of the IAPCreation of the IAP PLANNING

19. ICS Organization  Operations Section responsibilities Carrying out response activities in IAPCarrying out response activities in IAP Directing and coordinating all operationsDirecting and coordinating all operations Ensuring safety of OS personnelEnsuring safety of OS personnel Assisting IC in developing response goals and objectivesAssisting IC in developing response goals and objectives Requesting or releasing resources through ICRequesting or releasing resources through IC Updating IC and status of incident and resourcesUpdating IC and status of incident and resources OPERATIONS

20. ICS Organization  Logistics Section responsibilities Providing facilities, services, materials, and essential personnelProviding facilities, services, materials, and essential personnel Functions are designed to support incident respondersFunctions are designed to support incident responders LOGISTICS

21. ICS Organization  Finance/Administration Section responsibilities Tracking incident costsTracking incident costs Reimbursement accountingReimbursement accounting FINANCE / ADMINISTRATION

22. ICS Organizational Structure Incident Commander Section Single Resource Division Group Strike Team Unit Task Force Branch

23. ICS Organizational Structure  IC has overall command of the incident  EOC manages the community-wide resources and response Requesting mutual aidRequesting mutual aid Managing wide scale evacuationManaging wide scale evacuation Coordinating social servicesCoordinating social services Resolving policy issuesResolving policy issues How Does the ICS Relate to the Emergency Operations Center?

24. ICS Resource Planning  Every incident is unique  ICS allows expansion/contraction to fit needs  Planning begins with initial “size-up” of situation What is nature of incident?What is nature of incident? Any hazards?Any hazards? How large an area?How large an area? Can it be isolated?Can it be isolated? Where can staging area be located?Where can staging area be located? Where are safe entrance/exit routes?Where are safe entrance/exit routes?

25. ICS Resource Planning Expansion for resources is flexible. For example, initial response to an incident may be two police patrol cars. On sizing up the incident, the IC may designate the following structure: Investigation Group Perimeter Control Group K-9 Drug Strike Team Interrogation Strike Team Incident Command

26. ICS Incident Facilities  The Incident Command Post (ICP) Identified with green & white flag or lights or other markingsIdentified with green & white flag or lights or other markings  One or more Staging Areas Location for resources awaiting immediate assignment, away from ICPLocation for resources awaiting immediate assignment, away from ICP  A Base Offer primary services and support activitiesOffer primary services and support activities Location of uncommitted or out-of-service resourcesLocation of uncommitted or out-of-service resources

27. ICS Resource Management  Accomplish all tasks  Resource safety  Cost-effective operation

28. ICS Resource Management  Resources described by KIND and TYPE KIND – resource by function (fire truck, helicopterKIND – resource by function (fire truck, helicopter TYPE – resource by performance capability, usually described by a number (Type 1 helicopter)TYPE – resource by performance capability, usually described by a number (Type 1 helicopter)

29. ICS Resource Management  Single Resources are individual pieces of equipment or a crew of individuals (with an identified work supervisor) that can be used in an operational application at an incident.are individual pieces of equipment or a crew of individuals (with an identified work supervisor) that can be used in an operational application at an incident.  Task Force any combination and number of single resources (within span-of-control limits)any combination and number of single resources (within span-of-control limits) Must have own leaderMust have own leader Own transportationOwn transportation Communication between leader and next-level supervisorCommunication between leader and next-level supervisor Resource Categories

30. ICS Resource Management  Strike Teams Resources of the same kind and typeResources of the same kind and type Must have leaderMust have leader Communications among the single resources that make up the teamCommunications among the single resources that make up the team Typically used in major incidentsTypically used in major incidents Resource Categories

31. ARES and ICS Where do we fit? We fit nowhere in the organization until asked. There is no position within the ICS for "walk-on" operators!

32. Operations Section

33. ARCT  Amateur Radio Communication Team Adopted as standard four character ICS mnemonicAdopted as standard four character ICS mnemonic –from EMCOMMWEST 2002 Convention

34. For example, a “Type 1 ARCT”  Total of 12 operators 2 supervisors (one day shift/one night shift)2 supervisors (one day shift/one night shift) Remaining 10 operators might be split into 5 day/5 night, or 7 day/3 night at discretion of team leaderRemaining 10 operators might be split into 5 day/5 night, or 7 day/3 night at discretion of team leader

35. ARES and ICS  ICS does not alter the way we perform our functions. Existing Amateur Radio methods and procedures remain unchanged.  ICS does provide an organization and reporting structure, with a clearly defined chain of command and span of control.

36. ICS Resources  http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/EComBas.htm http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/EComBas.htm Emergency Communications Basics written by Pat Lambert, W0IPL, includes a very good discussion of ICS and how ARES/RACES fits inEmergency Communications Basics written by Pat Lambert, W0IPL, includes a very good discussion of ICS and how ARES/RACES fits in  http://www.emcomm.org/ARCT/page1.htm http://www.emcomm.org/ARCT/page1.htm Guide for EMCOMM support for ICS personnelGuide for EMCOMM support for ICS personnel NIMS