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INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

TRAINING MANUAL

INSTRUCTOR'S OUTLINE

by John Freeman, KB8ZDX

Based on

"Introduction to the Incident Command System"

by Chief Bill Miller, Gaines Township Fire Department, Flint, MI

PURPOSE

This outline is intended to provide a learning and teaching tool to the Amateur Radio Community pertaining to the Incident Command System that is being used by various governmental agencies.

PREFACE

by John Freeman, KB8ZDX

The Incident Command System is being used more and more by the various agencies served by the Amateur Radio Community and this makes it very necessary for this subject to become a part of the educational program being developed.

We, as Amateur Radio Operators, must realize that there are times when we have to adapt to a total different structure, or chain of command, than we are used to. When faced with this change, we must remember that we are there to serve, not to try to change the way things are being done or to make decisions of a command nature. We must continue to run our nets as we have learned to do and continue to conduct ourselves in a professional manner. Please remember that we are AMATEURS only in the sense that we are not paid for our services

There will come a time when you will encounter this mysterious thing called "Incident Command System", in fact you may already have and didn't know what it was or what its purpose is. The next time you run into it, or hear someone talking about it, you will be better prepared to work with it and will understand how and why it works.

I. Need For A Management System

Successful organizations require dedication and professional management on the part of those responsible for its achievements. In football, the coach puts together the game plan rather than each player deciding where they run or who they block. Emergencies require that an Incident Commander determine how to utilize the various skills and expertise levels that will be present at an emergency.

.

II. Elements of an Effective Incident Management System (IMS)

• Suitable for use regardless of jurisdiction or agency involved
• The organizational structure must be able to adapt to an incident regardless of how complicated
• Must be applicable and acceptable to users throughout the community and region
• Readily adaptable to new technology such as computers or improved communication capabilities
• Expandable in a logical manner from initial response to a major emergency so as not to have one plan for "everyday" use and a separate plan for "the big one"
• Basic common elements in organization, terminology, and procedures
• Cause the least possible disruption to the existing system during implementation
• Fulfill the above requirements effectively and simply to ensure low operation and maintenance costs

III. ICS as a Management System

• Provides for Span of Control which is the number of subordinates one supervisor can manage effectively
• Ensures Unity of Command in that each individual participating in the operation only reports to one supervisor
• Provides a standard set of terms for communicating designation of resources and faciilities. Plain English is used rather than 10-codes
• Lines of authority provide for lines of communication. This means that the right people receive the proper messages because all communications follow the chain
• Has all-risk design. Confusion is reduced by the fact that the same methods are used regardless of the type of situation and agencies involved
• Is suitable for "everyday" use. Eliminates the need and the confusion of having multiple plans to suit the situation
• Provides for safety of personnel. All persons are accounted for and efforts are coordinated in a manner which provides for the safety of all persons
• Provides for modular expansion. As either the incident enlarges or additional resources become available, span of control continues to meet the needs
• Improved resource utilization. With a clear organizational structure, each resource can concentrate on its assignment and eliminate duplication of effort.

IV. History of ICS

• FIRESCOPE: Fire Resources of Southern California Organized for Potential Emergencies. Formed in early 1970s due to problems managing large number of resources while fighting several major wild land fires.
• FGC: Fireground Command System was developed by Chief Alan Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Department primarily for structural firefighting. Has been adopted by many departments in the country as their all-risk management system
• NFA Model System: National Fire Academy has developed the Model Incident Command System that can be a model for agencies and jurisdictions wishing to adopt ICS.

V. Development of Regulations and Standards

• In 1986, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) put in place regulations which required departments in states that have adopted OSHA standards to use an ICS at all hazardous materials incidents.
• For those departments in states that do not require following OSHA standards, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has regulations that requires that ICS be used.

VI. Using ICS Effectively

ICS is designed to allow for delegation of responsibilities and create subordinate positions to maintain equality of control. Like a toolbox, if you are changing the spark plugs in your car, you only use the tools necessary to do the job, but the rest of the tools are still there and available when needed. In ICS, the same is true, you only use the tools or organizations needed to get the job done, with the rest waiting in case they are needed.

VII. Five ICS Functional Areas

These are General Staff positions. When assigned, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance report directly to Command.

• Command: Is to assume responsibility for the overall management of an incident. Command decides who does what and how. The Command role is the Incident Commander (IC) and there will always be one established at every incident.
• Operations : Operations will accomplish the plans Command develops by meeting the objectives. Operations directs all the incident tactical operations and assists Command in the development of the action plan.
• Planning: Plannings function is to collect and evaluate information that is needed for preparation of the action plan. Planning forecasts the probable course the incident may take and prepares alternative plans for changes to the action plan.
• LogisticsThe "Supply Sergeant" role at the incident. Includes responsibilities for facilities, transportation, supplies, equipment maintenance and fueling, feeding and medical services for response personnel.
• Finance: Usually only put in place during large-scale incidents. Responsible for the required fiscal documentation needed and produced as a result of the incident. Finance also provides the IC with financial planning and advice to meet any fiscal statutory requirements.

VIII. Command Staff Positions:

These positions are designed to provide aid and assistance to the IC to fulfill responsibilities associated with managing the incident. They handle key incident activities that enable the IC to concentrate on managing the incident. Command Staff are not part of the line organization.

• Safety Officer: Responsible for monitoring and evaluating safety hazards or unsafe situations and developing measures for ensuring personnel safety. Also has the authority to take immediate action to correct an unsafe act or practice or to remove personnel from the threat of imminent danger. After this is done, the SO must report action taken to the IC and affected supervisors. If there is no threat of imminent danger, the SO must still follow the normal chain of command.
• Liaison Officer: Where multiple agencies are involved the LO will provide the point of contact and coordination for assisting agencies not involved in the Command function. Aids in coordinating the efforts of the other agencies and reduces the risk of their operating independently. Each agency involved in the incident should have an Agency Representative with whom the LO can work. It is imperative that the AR have decision making authority to prevent delays which can have a negative impact on the incident
• Information Officer: Acts as the point of contact for the media and is responsible for the development and release of accurate and complete information regarding the incident. Establishes an area away from the Command Post and safely away from the incident.

IX. Staging

The location where resources are held until given an assignment.

• Staging Increases Accountability: By reporting first to Staging, the IC maintains control over the resources and this prevents "freelancing".
• Staging Area Manager: Manages all of the activities with the Staging Area
  1. Keeps track of all resources coming and leaving Staging Area
  2. Updates the IC as to resources available in Staging Area
  3. Maintains a minimum level of a resource if IC determines this is needed
  4. Responds to requests for resources at the incident
  .

X. Incident Commander's Role:

The IC must assume command, establish the strategy and tactics needed to control the incident and must delegate responsibilities.

XI. Divisions and Groups

• Division: An organizational level responsible for operations on a specified geographical level.
• Group: An organizational level responsible for a specified functional assignment.
• Division and Group Supervisors manage these levels. They report back to the IC unless incident is large enough to require an Operations Chief.

XII. Summary

Incident Command System is a management system that uses proven Management principles. It provides the "tools" an Incident Commander needs to be an effective manager and to protect personnel safety. ICS can be used at the largest or smallest incident, which makes it even more valuable.

The key to any system is how well it is understood by those who have to use it and how it is utilized. For ICS to be effective, all parties involved must understand how it works and how you fit into the picture and what your responsibilities are.

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM OUTLINE

QUIZ

1. ICS is short for

• Interesting Cool Stuff
• Interesting Command Staff
• Incident Command Staff
• Incident Command System

2. IMS is short for

• Incident Management System
• Incidental Managers System
• Interesting Management Stuff
• Incident Managers Socks

3. An important element of IMS is

• Suitable for use by any agency or jurisdiction
• Cannot adapt to new technology
• Cause the least possible disruption to the existing system when being applied
• A and C

4. ICS provides for Span of Control

• True
• False

5. ICS can only be used during "The Big One"

• True
• False

6. ICS provides for the safety of personnel

• True
• False

7. FIRESCOPE was founded in Southern Colorado in the early 1970's

• True
• False

8. OSHA has nothing to do with ICS

• True
• False

9. EPA has adopted regulations that impose the same requirements in non-OSHA states

• True
• False

10. If you compare ICS to a toolbox, you would use the largest screwdriver on the smallest screw

• True
• False

11. The five major functional areas of ICS are

• Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance
• Command, Resources, Communications, Firefighting
• Operations, Community Awareness, Firefighting
• Communications, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance

12. The Planning function forecasts the probable course of events the incident may take

• True
• False

13. Logistics can be described as "The Supply Sergeant"

• True
• False

14. Command Staff are part of the line organization

• True
• False

15. The Safety Officer reports to the media

• True
• False

16. The Liaison Officer should meet with the Agency Representatives

• True
• False

17. The Agency Representative can be anyone who happens to be available

• True
• False

18. Staging is practicing for "The Big One"

• True
• False

19. Staging is the location where resources report until given an assignment

• True
• False

20. The Staging Area makes it harder to keep track of resources

• True
• False

21. The Staging Area Manager

• Keeps track of all resources coming into and leaving the Staging Area
• Updates the IC as to the level of resources available at the Staging Area
• Responds to requests for personnel and equipment from the incident
• All of the above
• Works for the Director on a movie set.

22. A Division is responsible for a specific geographical area

• True
• False

23. A Group is responsible for a specific incident or site

• True
• False

24. A Group Supervisor is the individual who manages a Group and reports to the IC

• True
• False

25. Many agencies and jurisdictions across the country have found that ICS does not always work

• True
• False

Pages in FD web: EMA FD Home! § Directory! § Site List § Tour Plans
§ FD and ICS ! § FD Planning,Rules, Scoring, & ARES § Safety: Safety Officer, Lightning, Heat, Resources!
§ EMA FD History 1999-2006 § About (Notes, Credits)
Up: EMA Home § EMA ARES