Introduction to Incident Command System (IS 100b)

Curry Mayer, ChiefTraining Branch

California Emergency Management Agency

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).

Incident Command System

• Standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept

• Efficiently integrates responders from a variety of agencies

WHY DO WE NEED ICS?

• A coordinated response system

• Standardization of Response Organization

• Interoperability of communications & resources

Basic ICS Features• Common terminology

• Modular organization

• Management by objectives

• Reliance on an Incident Action Plan

Basic ICS Features

• Chain of Command and Unity of Command

• Unified Command

• Manageable Span of Control

• Resource Management

• Predesignated Incident Facilities

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.

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 person’s response position & day-to-day professional position

SEMS & NIMS & ICSBoth 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

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

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

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

ICS Modular Organization

S in g leR e so u rce

S in g leR e so u rce

C o m m a nd

Large Incident Organization

Small Incident Organization

R e so u rces

D iv is io n / G ro up

B ra nch es

S e ctio ns

C o m m a nd

Span of Control

ICS Span of Control – Number of people one person can effectively supervise

• Between 3 and 7 subordinates with 5 being optimum

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

As the Incident Grows Add Modules

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

O p e ra tio ns L o g is tics

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

U n it

B ra n ch

B ra n ch

U n it

O p e ra tio ns

U n it

U n it

U n it

P la nn ing

U n it

B ra n ch

B ra n ch

L o g is tics

U n it

U n it

F in a nce /A d m in

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

Span Out of Control

YOUYOU

YOU

YOU YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

YOU

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5 SEMS/ICS Organizational Functions(Command/Management & General Staff)

Command or

Management

OPERATIONSPLANNING/

INTELLIGENCE LOGISTICSFINANCE/

ADMINISTRATION

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

Command Staff

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

O p e ra tio nsS e ction

P la nn ingS e ction

L o g is ticsS e ction

F in a nce /A d m inS e ction

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

What History Tells Us• Main reason most incident responses

fail is poor management of resources

• Reports show most response problems result from inadequate management

Incident Command

There are 3 Incident Command Structures

•Single Incident Commander •Unified Command•Area Command

Incident Commander

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

Incident Commander

• Establishes Incident Command Post (ICP)

• Activates and assigns Command Staff positions

• Creates ICS Sections

• Conducts Initial Briefing

Incident Commander• Approves all plans, resource

requests and media releases

• Guarantees incident safety

• Provides information to internal and external stakeholders

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

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

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

AreaCommand

ICP ICP ICP

Public Information Officer

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

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

British Reporter

Safety Officer

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

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)

Liaison Officer

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

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

Agency Representative

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

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

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

General Staff

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

O p e ra tio nsS e ction

P la nn ingS e ction

L o g is t icsS e ction

F in a nce /A d m inS e ction

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

Operations Section

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

O p e ra tio nsS e ction

P la nn ingS e ction

L o g is ticsS e ction

F in a nce /A d m inS e ction

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

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

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

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

Planning Section

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

O p e ra tio nsS e ction

P la nn ingS e ction

L o g is ticsS e ction

F in a nce /A d m inS e ction

80C o m m a n d er

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

Incident Action PlanTo 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

Planning Section

Can be organized as follows:

S itu a tio n U n it

R e so u rce U n it

D o cum e nta tio n U n it

D e m o b iliza tion U n it

G e o gra p h ic In fo rm a tio n S yste m s

T e ch n ica l S pe c ia list

P la nn ingS e c tio n C h ie f

Logistics Section

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

O p e ra tio nsS e ction

P la nn ingS e ction

L o g is ticsS e ction

F in a nce /A d m inS e ction

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

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

Logistics Branch Structure

SupplyUnit

FacilitiesUnit

G round SupportUnit

SupportBranch

Com m unicationsUnit

M edicalUnit

FoodUnit

ServicesBranch

LogisticsSection Chief

Logistics Section UnitsService 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

Logistics Section UnitsSupport 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.

Finance/Admin Section

P u b lic In fo rm a tionO ffice r

S a fe tyO ffice r

A g e n cyR e p re se n ta tive

L ia isonO ffice r

O p e ra tio nsS e ction

P la nn ingS e ction

L o g is ticsS e ction

F in a nce /A d m inS e ction

In c ide n tC o m m a n d er

Finance/Admin Section• Monitor incident costs

• Negotiate and monitor contracts

• Timekeeping

• Cost analysis

• Compensation for injury or damage to property

• Documentation for reimbursement

Finance/Admin Section

Tim e Unit(P e rso nn e l T im e R e co rd in g)

Procurem ent Unit(V e nd o r co n tra c ts, le ase s a n d f is ca la g ree m e n ts)

Com pensation/Claim s Unit(W o rke rs C o m p . R e co rd s , C la im s)

Cost Unit(C o llec t co st in fo rm a tio n , p ro v id e co s t e s tim a te s)

Finance / Adm inSection Chief

End