INTRODUCTION TO THE INCIDENT COMMAND

SYSTEM

OBJECTIVEModule 5

Overview

Define the need for a management system to be used at emergency incidents and demonstrate how ICS can be applied as an effective emergency

management system.

Need for a Management

System

History of ICS

Development of Regulations and

Standards

OBJECTIVEModule 5

Overview

Define the five ICS functions, Command Staff positions, and Staging

The Five ICSFunctional Areas

Command StaffPositions

Staging

OBJECTIVEModule 5

Overview

Define the role of the Incident Commander (IC) and the importance of the CO as initial IC.

The IncidentCommander’s

Role

OBJECTIVEModule 5

Overview

Given a scenario, establish an effective ICS organization to manage the initial phase of the incident.

Using ICSEffectively

Divisionsand Groups

NEED FOR AMANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Successful organizations are managed in a professional manner.

True for all types of organizations

• Business

• Military

• Sports

• Firefighting

Successful organizations are managed in a professional manner.

Managing emergencies is much like a team

sport

• Coordinate efforts

• Not all have the same skills

• Needs to concentrate

Successful organizations are managed in a professional manner.

Need is greater for emergency incident to be

managed in a professional manner

• Risk of death

• Reduce damage

• Critical decisions

• Provide highest level of service

Successful organizations are managed in a professional manner.

An emergency does not exclude the need for

professional management

• Safety

• Reduce confusion

• Coordinate

Elements of an effective IncidentManagement System

• Suitable for use regardless of jurisdiction or agency involved

• Adapt to an incident regardless of type of complexity

Elements of an effective IncidentManagement System

• Acceptable to users

• Readily adaptable to new technology

• Expand in a logical manner

Elements of an effective IncidentManagement System

• Basic common elements

• Least possible disruption to exiting system

• Ensure low operational maintenance costs

ICS as a Management System

• Manageable span of control “Number of subordinates one supervisor can manage effectively”

• Allows for delegation

ICS as a Management System

• Ensures unity of command

• Provides standard set of terms

• Lines of authority provide for lines of communication

• All-risk design

ICS as a Management System

• Suitable for “everyday” use

• Provides for safety of personnel

• Modular expansion

• Improved resource utilization

HISTORY OF ICS

ICS originated as a result of major wildland fires

• Coordination and management problems

• Command was not clearly defined

• Communication problems

• Resources not fully utilized

Responsible agencies formed FIRESCOPE to identify solutions

• Was the first generation of ICS

• Evolved into an all-risk system

Fireground Command (FGC)

• Developed by Chief Alan Brunacini

• Same management principles as ICS

• For use in structural firefighting

National Fire Academy (NFA) Model System

• National Curriculum Advisory Committee

• Proposed ICS be an all-risk system

• Model for agencies wishing to adopt ICS

Each emergency management system based on sound management principles

• Safety of personnel

• Coordinate activities

• Clear lines of authority

• Effective use of resources

• Unity of command

• Span of control

DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATIONS AND

STANDARDS

Success of ICS has led to its inclusion in a variety of regulations and standards

• Used nationally

• Use at all emergencies

• One common management system

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require use of ICS for hazardous materials incidents.

NFPA Standard 1500: Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program

NFPA Standard 1561:Fire Department Emergency Management Systems

USING ICS EFFECTIVELY

Understanding How To Use The System

• Organizational charts do not put out fires--well-managed firefighters do

• ICS provides numerous subordinate positions

Thing of ICS Organization as a Toolbox

• You don’t need every tool

• Only delegate those positions that will help do the job

• Know what positions will help

Importance of First-In Officer As Initial IC

• “What starts bad--stays bad”

• First-in officer organizes incident

• If well organized, it is easier to expand the organization if needed

The CO’s Role When Not The IC

• First-arriving CO may act as initial IC until command can be passed

• Not first-in may be assigned to subordinate positions

• CO’s must understand the system if they are to do an effective job

THE FIVE ICSFUNCTIONAL AREAS

O P E R A TIO N S P L A N N IN G L O G IS TIC S F IN A N C E

C O M M A N D

O P E R A TIO N S P L A N N IN G L O G IS TIC S F IN A N C E

C O M M A N D

•Responsible for overall management

•Establishes the strategy and tactics

•Responsible for firefighter safety

•Responsible for success of incident activities

•Filled by IC

•Established at every incident

O P E R A TIO N S P L A N N IN G L O G IS TIC S F IN A N C E

C O M M A N D

•Accomplishes strategy that command develops by meeting the tactical objectives

•Directs all tactical operations

•Assists in the development of action plan

O P E R A TIO N S P L A N N IN G L O G IS TIC S F IN A N C E

C O M M A N D

•Collects and evaluates information

•Forecasts probable course of events

•Prepares alternative strategies

O P E R A TIO N S P L A N N IN G L O G IS TIC S F IN A N C E

C O M M A N D

•Provides services and supplies

•Fills the “Supply Sergeant” role

O P E R A TIO N S P L A N N IN G L O G IS TIC S F IN A N C E

C O M M A N D

•Responsible for required fiscal documentation

•Provides financial planning

O P E R A TIO N S P L A N N IN G L O G IS TIC S F IN A N C E

C O M M A N D

GENERAL STAFF POSITIONS

COMMAND STAFF POISITIONS

Command Staff Positions

• Enable the IC to better manage the incident

• Do not count when determining the IC’s span of control

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Safety Officer

• Appointed when IC cannot adequately monitor hazards or unsafe conditions

• Keeps IC informed as to existing or potential safety hazards

• Can take immediate action to correct unsafe acts

• Must have requisite background and knowledge

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Liaison Officer

• Helps IC coordinate the efforts of assisting agencies

• Determine if Agency Representative have decisionmaking authority for their agencies

• Helps each agency do what it does best

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Information Officer

• Gets incident briefing and updates from IC for release to the media

• Establishes a press area

• Provides for tours and photos

• Arranges for media to speak with IC

STAGING

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Staging

Definition: Staging is the location to which

resources report until given an assignment

• Located close enough to the incident

• If IC has not determined an assignment, report in the Staging Area

• IC has time to determine proper assignments

Staging

• Provides a resource pool

• Keeps from turning the front of the building into a parking lot

• Does not count as part of the IC’s span of control

Increases Accountability

• Resources are prevented from choosing their own assignment

• Keeps companies and personnel from freelancing

• Resources are tracked

• Controls personnel

• Facilitates the formation of crews

Staging Area Manager

Responsible for managing all activities within the Staging area

Staging Area Manager

• First-arriving officer designated as Staging Area Manager

• Keeps track of resources

• Updates IC

• Maintains minimum resource level

• Responds to requests for personnel

• Reports to IC

THE INCIDENTCOMMANDER’S ROLE

Safe and effective incident operations require that someone be in command

• If one person does not assume command--the incident does

• Responsibility for incident management and firefighter safety

• IC establishes the strategy and tactics

Responsibilities not delegated by the IC are retained by the IC

Without delegating, IC can quickly exceed effective span of control

The CO’s Responsibility As Initial IC

• Do a thorough size-up

• Identify strategy and select tactics

• Develop initial action plan

• Implement the action plan

The CO’s Responsibility As Initial IC

• Coordinate incident resources

• Modify action plan as needed

• Call for additional resources if needed

• Maintain command until it can be passed or transferred

• Be prepared to fill a subordinate position

DIVISIONS AND GROUPS

Establishing Divisions or Groups

• Most incidents handled with individual assignments to each company or tactical unit

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When number of companies involved exceed IC’s span of control, IC needs a means of maintaining a manageable level

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Divisions and/or Groups likely to be first-line positions delegated by IC

Divisions: An organizational level responsible for operations in a specified geographical area

Example: A Division may be responsible for operations on a specified floor of a building or a specified side or area of a structure

Groups: An organizational level responsible for a specified functional assignment

Example: A Group may be responsible for search and rescue or for ventilating in the entire structure

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Relationship Between Divisions and Groups

Same organizational level.

Relationship Between Divisions and Groups

Group’s responsibilities may cross Division boundaries.

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Relationship Between Divisions and Groups

Divisions are responsible for all tactical operations in their assigned area that are not assigned to a group

Managing Divisions and Groups

• Managed by Division or Group Supervisors

• Report directly to the IC

• CO’s may very well be assigned role of a Supervisor

• Initial IC can be reassigned

• CO’s not first in may be assigned a Division or Group

When creating a Division or Group, the IC needs to communicate to the Supervisors:

• Area(s) they are responsible for and tactics or objectives they need to accomplish

• Resources they are assigned

• Their radio designation

Responsibilities of Division and Group Supervisors

• Ensure safety and survival

• Implement their assigned portion of the incident action plan

• Keep track of assigned resources

• Anticipate the needs of personnel

• Advise IC if meeting objectives

• Coordinate with other divisions and groups

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Summary

• Incident Command System is a management system

• It provides the IC with tools needed

• Used at any type incident and by all responders

• Suitable for “everyday” use and can expand in a modular fashion

• Company Officers must understand the system