Introduction to Incident Command System (IS 100b)

1
Introduction to Incident Command System (IS 100b)

• Curry Mayer, Chief
• Training Branch
• California Emergency Management Agency

2
The Incident Command System(ICS) In the
Beginning

• ICS was developed in the aftermath of a
  devastating 1970s wildfire in California
• The U.S. Forest Service, Cal Fire other
  Southern California Fire Agencies formed
  FIRESCOPE
• (Firefighting RESources of California Organized
  for Potential Emergencies).

3
Incident Command System

• Standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident
  management concept
• Efficiently integrates responders from a variety
  of agencies

4
WHY DO WE NEED ICS?

• A coordinated response system
• Standardization of Response Organization
• Interoperability of communications resources

5
Basic ICS Features

• Common terminology
• Modular organization
• Management by objectives
• Reliance on an Incident Action Plan

6
Basic ICS Features

• Chain of Command and Unity of Command
• Unified Command
• Manageable Span of Control
• Resource Management
• Predesignated Incident Facilities

7
ICS Benefits

• The safety of responders, workers and others
• Standardized approach to incident management
  applicable for use in all hazards by all levels
  of government
• The efficient use of resources
• Manage a variety of incidents emergency and non
  emergency like parades, sporting events, etc.

8
Common Terminology

• Using common terminology helps define
• Organizational functions
• Incident facilities
• Resource descriptions
• Position titles
• Cannot use agency or radio terminology
• Reduces confusion between a persons response
  position day-to-day professional position

9
SEMS NIMS ICS

• Both the Standardized Emergency Management System
  (SEMS) and the National Incident Management
  System (NIMS) are required to use ICS
• SEMS - Government Code 8607 California
  Emergency Services Act in January 1993
• NIMS - Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5
  (HSPD-5) in February 2003

10
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5

• Adoption of NIMS is a condition for receiving
  Federal preparedness assistance (through grants,
  contracts and other activities by
• State
• Tribal and
• Local organizations

11
NIMS ICS

• NIMS is a core set of concepts, principles and
  terminology for incident command and multiagency
  coordination because it uses ICS
• NIMS is a consistent, nationwide approach for all
  levels of government to work effectively because
  it requires the use of ICS

12
Modular Organization

• Incident command structure develops from the
  top-down
• Size is based upon the complexity of the incident
• Incident objectives
• Specifics of hazard environment created by
  incident
• Only necessary functions are activated
• Each activated element will have 1 person in
  charge

13
ICS Modular Organization
Large Incident Organization
Small Incident Organization
14
Span of Control

• ICS Span of Control Number of people one person
  can effectively supervise
• Between 3 and 7 subordinates with 5 being optimum

15
Span of Control Considerations

• The Span of Control can be affected by
• Type of incident
• Nature of the task
• Hazards or safety factors
• Distance between personnel or resources

16
As the Incident Grows Add Modules
17
Span Out of Control
18
5 SEMS/ICS Organizational Functions(Command/Manag
ement General Staff)
Command or Management
PLANNING/ INTELLIGENCE
FINANCE/ ADMINISTRATION
LOGISTICS
OPERATIONS
19
ICS Uses Position Titles

• Provides a common standard for performance
  expectations
• Helps to ensure that qualified individuals fill
  each position
• Standardization eliminates confusion between
  agency position titles duties (day to day) and
  ICS Position Titles
• Describes the responsibilities of the position

20
Command Staff
21
What History Tells Us

• Main reason most incident responses fail is poor
  management of resources
• Reports show most response problems result from
  inadequate management

22
Incident Command

• There are 3 Incident Command Structures
• Single Incident Commander
• Unified Command
• Area Command

23
Incident Commander
24
Incident Commander

• Establishes Incident Command Post (ICP)
• Activates and assigns Command Staff positions
• Creates ICS Sections
• Conducts Initial Briefing

25
Incident Commander

• Approves all plans, resource requests and media
  releases
• Guarantees incident safety
• Provides information to internal and external
  stakeholders

26
Incident Commander

• In charge until authority delegated to another
  person
• Incident scope get more complex or
• beyond existing authorities of IC
• (If Incident Commander changes, all staff are
  notified of the change)
• The only position that is
• always staffed

27
Unified Command

• Two or more Commanders from various Jurisdictions
  
• Operate together from a single command structure
• Single set of incident objectives
• Collaborative strategies
• Single Incident Action Plan

28
Area Command

• Sets overall strategy and priorities
• Identifies and allocates resources
• Makes sure objectives are met
• Make certain that strategies are followed
• Maintain effective communication
• Assists in transition to full
• recovery operations

29
Public Information Officer
30
Public Information Officer

• One per Incident
• Advises Incident Commander on information
  dissemination and media relations
• Obtains information from and provides information
  to Planning Section, community and media
• Incident Commander approval needed for all
  releases

31
British Reporter
32
Safety Officer
33
Safety Officer

• One per incident
• Advises Incident Commander on safety issues
• Works with Operations Section to ensure safety of
  field personnel
• Reviews Action Plan for safety implications
• Has authority to stop unsafe activities (Outside
  of the Action Plan)

34
Liaison Officer
35
Liaison Officer

• Point of contact for other responding
  organizations
• Assists in-coming organizations in obtaining
  incident information
• Provides briefings to and answers questions from
  supporting organizations

36
Agency Representative
37
Agency Representative

• Individual assigned to an incident by an
  assisting or cooperating agency
• Must have the authority to make decisions for
  their agency
• Report to the Liaison Officer (if delegated) or
  Incident Commander

38
Assistant

• Assistants are subordinates of Command Staff,
  particularly for the Public Information Officer
  and Safety Officer

39
General Staff
40
Operations Section
41
Operations Section

• Usually one of the first organizations assigned
  to incident
• Directs and coordinates all incident tactical
  operations
• Operations Section Chief Facilitates the
  Operational Period Briefing for the Operations
  Section

42
Operations Section Elements

• When expanding the Operations Section the
  following elements may be used
• Branches Has functional, geographic or
  jurisdictional responsibility for major parts of
  the incident operations. The level between
  Section and units
• Division Has responsibility for operations
  within a defined geographic area
• Group Used to divide incident into functional
  areas of operation

43
Operations Section Elements

• Unit Has functional responsibility for a
  specific incident planning, logistics or
  finance/admin activity
• Task Forces Group of (mixed) resources with
  common communications
• Strike Teams Specified combinations of same
  kind and type of resources with common
  communications
• Single Resources Individual piece of equipment
  and its personnel, or a crew or team of
  individuals

44
Planning Section
45
Planning Section

• Collects, evaluates and displays incident
  intelligence and information
• Maintains Resource Status Info
• Develops Situation Status Reports
• Prepares Incident Action Plan
• Generates plan for demobilization
• Provides Documentation Services
• Primary location for Technical Specialists

46
Incident Action Plan

• To facilitate Management by Objectives each
  incident must have an Action Plan, that includes
• Incident Objectives
• Activities to be completed
• Time period for completion of Activities
  (Operational Period)
• Can be written or verbal

47
Planning Section

• Can be organized as follows

48
Logistics Section
49
Logistics Section

• Orders, obtains, maintains and accounts for
  personnel, equipment and supplies
• Provide communication planning resources
• Sets up food services for responders
• Arrange for and maintain incident facilities
• Coordinate support transportation
• Provide medical services for injured personnel
• Tracks status of resources

50
Logistics Branch Structure
51
Logistics Section Units

• Service Branch
• Communications Unit Prepares Communications
  plan, distribute and maintain equipment,
  establish adequate communications
• Medical Unit Develops medical plan, provide
  first aid for incident personnel, and plan for
  medical emergency
• Food Unit Supply food and potable water for all
  incident facilities and personnel

52
Logistics Section Units

• Support Branch
• Supply Unit Determine and acquire type and
  amount of supplies needed to support incident
• Facilities Unit Set up and maintain required
  facilities to support incident.
• Responsible for facility security and maintenance
• Ground Support Unit Prepare Transportation plan
  and arrange for transportation of personnel,
  supplies, etc.

53
Finance/Admin Section
54
Finance/Admin Section

• Monitor incident costs
• Negotiate and monitor contracts
• Timekeeping
• Cost analysis
• Compensation for injury or damage to property
• Documentation for reimbursement

55
Finance/Admin Section
56
End