BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
AN INTRODUCTION
DAVID CHAPLIN, HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS TRAINER
BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Learning Objectives
Define ICS
Identify main functions and responsibilities
Identify key concepts and principles
Describe advantages of an organized
approach to management of emergency
incident
Finding your place within ICS
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
What is it ?
ICS is the model tool for the command,
control, and coordination of a response and
provides a means to coordinate efforts of
individual agencies as they work toward a
common goal of stabilizing the incident and
protecting life, property, and the environment.
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
When is ICS used ?
HazMat
Planned events – large public gatherings
Response to natural hazards
Single and multi-agency law enforcement incidents
Lack of comprehensive resource management strategy
Fires (all kinds)
Mass casualties
Multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency incidents
Transportation accidents
SAR operations
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Who uses ICS ?
Required by federal law for the response to HazMat
incidents.
International Assoc of Chiefs of Police.
American Public Works Assoc.
National Fire Academy.
Included in NFPA 1600: “Recommended Practice for
Disaster Management”.
Part of the National Interagency Incident Management
System (NIIMS).
Now required by Dept of Homeland Security.
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS – A Brief History
Developed in the 1970’s in response to a series of major
wildland fires in Southern CA.
Agencies involved from local to federal collaborated on
FIRESCOPE – Firefighting Resources of CA Organized for
Potential Emergencies – to identify recurring problems:
Nonstandard terminology
No capability to expand and contract with the
incident
Nonstandard and nonintegrated communications
Lack of consolidated action plans
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Lack of designated facilities
BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS has evolved into an all-hazard system
that is appropriate for all types of
emergencies.
Success of ICS has resulted from applying:
A common organizational structure.
Key management principles in a standardized
way.
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS is built around five major components:
INCIDENT
COMMAND
COMMAND STAFF
PLANNING OPERATIONS LOGISTICS FINANCE /
SECTION SECTION SECTION ADMIN SECTION
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
INCIDENT
COMMAND
COMMAND STAFF
PLANNING OPERATIONS LOGISTICS FINANCE /
SECTION SECTION SECTION ADMIN SECTION
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Incident Command – Major Responsibilities
Has overall command
Must be qualified to manage the response
Protects life and property
Controls personnel and equipment resources
Maintains accountability for responders, for public
safety, and task accomplishment
Establishes and maintains effective liaison with
“outside” agencies and organizations—including the
EOC when it is activated
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Incident Command – Incident Management
Establishes incident command and Maintains a manageable span of
Incident Command Post. control.
Manages incident resources.
Ensures responder safety.
Coordinates overall emergency
Assesses incident priorities.
activities.
Determines operational objectives.
Coordinates the activities of
Develops and implements the
outside agencies.
Incident Action Plan (IAP).
Authorizes the release of
Develops an appropriate
information to the media.
organizational structure.
Keeps track of costs.
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Incident Command – Helpful Traits
An Incident Commander must be:
Assertive
Decisive
Objective
Calm
Quick-thinker
Adaptable
Flexible
Realistic about his or her limitations
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Incident Command – Command Staff
Information Officer
Incident Commander Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS – GENERAL STAFF
INCIDENT
COMMAND
COMMAND STAFF
PLANNING OPERATIONS LOGISTICS FINANCE /
SECTION SECTION SECTION ADMIN SECTION
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Planning Section – Major Responsibilities
Collection, Evaluation, Dissemination, and Use of
information …
…about the Development of the Incident and the
Status of Resources.
Performed by IC at smaller incidents.
May also include the creation of the Incident Action
Plan (IAP) -
IAP defines response activities and resource utilization
for a specified period of time.
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS – GENERAL STAFF
INCIDENT
COMMAND
COMMAND STAFF
PLANNING OPERATIONS LOGISTICS FINANCE /
SECTION SECTION SECTION ADMIN SECTION
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Operations Section – Major Responsibilities
Receives and implements the IAP
Directs and coordinates all operations
Ensures the safety of all personnel
Assists IC in developing response goals and objectives
for the incident
Requests and Releases resources through the IC
Keeps IC informed of situation and resource status
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS – GENERAL STAFF
INCIDENT
COMMAND
COMMAND STAFF
PLANNING OPERATIONS LOGISTICS FINANCE /
SECTION SECTION SECTION ADMIN SECTION
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Logistics Section – Major Responsibilities
Responsible for providing facilities, services,
materials, and personnel to operate equipment
Most often established for protracted events
Geared to support the incident responders
Medical Unit in Logistics Section provides care for
incident responders, not civilians.
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS – GENERAL STAFF
INCIDENT
COMMAND
COMMAND STAFF
PLANNING OPERATIONS LOGISTICS FINANCE /
SECTION SECTION SECTION ADMIN SECTION
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Finance/Administration Section – Major Responsibilities
Critical for tracking incident
costs and reimbursement
accounting.
Especially important in large,
multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency
incidents where Presidential
Declaration is needed.
Conducts purchasing.
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ICS – Expanding & Contracting
Life Safety
Incident Stability
Minimize the effect that the incident may
have on the surrounding area.
Maximize the response effort while using
resources efficiently.
Property Conservation
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Hospital Emergency – ICS (HEICS)
[Link]
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BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
ANY QUESTIONS ?
Learning Objectives
Define ICS
Identify main functions and responsibilities
Identify key concepts and principles
Describe advantages of an organized
approach to management of emergency
incident
Finding your place within ICS
IS-195 [Link]
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LET’S TAKE A BREAK !
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