The Incident Command System An Overview

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The Incident Command SystemAn Overview
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Background

• The Incident Command System in use today is an
  outgrowth of Californias FIRESCOPE program
  developed in the 1970s to improve management of
  large wildfires.
• It was designed to provide a commonly accepted
  management structure that would result in better
  decisions and more effective use of available
  resources.
• It was specifically designed for incidents that
  involve many local, state, and federal agencies
  and multiple political jurisdictions.

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ICS Features

• Standard Organization
• Incident Facilities
• Incident Action Plan
• Span Of Control
• Unity of Command
• Common Responsibilities

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Common ICS Terminology

• Organizational Functions
• Operations, Intelligence, Logistics, and Finance.
• Functions pre-designated and named for the ICS.
• Resources
• Refers to the combination of personnel and
  equipment used in response and recovery.
• Facilities
• Common identifiers used for those facilities in
  and around the incident area which will be used
  during the course of the incident. These
  facilities include the command center, staging
  areas, etc.

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Modular Organization

• ICS's organizational structure is modular.
• As the need arises, functional areas may be
  developed.
• Several branches may be established.
• Structure based upon the needs of the incident.
• One individual can simultaneously manage all
  major functional areas in some cases.
• If more areas require independent management,
  someone must be responsible for that area.

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Five Major Functional Sections

• Management What are we going to do?
• Plans/Intel What do we need to do what is
  happening now?
• Operations How are we going to do it?
• Logistics How are we going to support it?
• Finance/Admin How are we going to document it
  and who is going to pay for it?

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Each Section May Have

• Branches such as situation analysis, purchasing,
  personnel, etc.
• Branches may have Groups under them
• Branches may have Units under them
• Example Logistics Section, Communications
  Branch, Message Center Group, Radio Unit

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Typical EOC Organization
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Command Section
Incident
Commander

Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
Information Officer
Command Staff
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Incident Commander

• Key Person In-charge at the Incident
• Assigned By Responsible Agency
• May Have One or More Deputy Incident Commanders
• May Assign Personnel for Command Staff General
  Staff
• . . . is a manager, and that means he or she may
  not be the person with the most operational
  experience!

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Safety Officer
Incident
Commander
Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
Information Officer

• Monitors safety situation
• Authorization to stop unsafe acts or situations
• Required by OSHA for HazMat

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Liaison Officer
Incident
Commander
Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
Information Officer
Agency Representative

• Point of contact for assisting/cooperating
  agencies
• Red Cross, public works, engineering
  organizations, families, etc.

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Information Officer
Incident
Commander
Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
Information Officer

• Releases accident/incident information
• Media and other appropriate agencies

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Operations Section
OPERATIONS SECTION

• Responsible for all operations applicable to the
  mission
• Operations directed by the Incident Action Plan

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Planning Section
Tracks the following
Who's involved Where they are What they are
doing How they are doing
PLANNING SECTION

• Assists command with management decisions
• Provides info to measure progress toward goals
  and objectives
• Information used to develop incident action plan
• Provides info for accident/incident review

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The Plan Consolidator
Plans What Do We Do Next?
Plans Section Chief
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Logistics Section

• Provides support services-for all incident
  operations
• Responsible for obtaining
• Manpower
• Supplies
• Resource Support

Logistics Section
Sustains the emergency operations
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Finance Section
Responsible for all the following

• Costs associated with the operation
• Cost analysis
• Financial aspects

Finance Section
Normally the last section to be added Used mainly
in major accidents/incidents
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EOC Manager

• Manages the EOC - not the incident
• Makes sure everything is working
• Maintains a safe environment
• Optimizes efficiency
• Facilitates and coordinates
• Solves problems

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EOC Staff Members

• Check-in with the EOC Manager.
• Review the situation report (sit reps) and
  incident logs.
• Make sure that your name is listed on the current
  EOC organization chart.
• Review the staff Operating Guide (SOG) and set up
  your work station.
• Start an incident log which details your actions
  (chronologically.)

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For More Information

• Contact
• Steve Davis, Principal
• All Hands Consulting
• AllHandsConsulting.com
• Steve_at_ AllHandsConsulting.com