Amateur Radio Emergency Services

Dr. Craig KlimczakCall Sign K4LSU

Today’s Topics• The Incident Command System

– What is the ICS?– The ICS structure– The Incident Commander– How does EMCOMM fit into ICS?

What is the ICS?• The Incident Command System (ICS) is a

management tool that preserves the command structure of each responding agency, while bringing them all together under a common plan and leader.

• Under ICS, each agency recognizes one “lead” coordinating agency and person, will handle one or more tasks that are part of a single over-all plan, and interact with other agencies in defined ways.

What the ICS is Not• Not a fixed and unchangeable system.• Not a means to take control or authority away

from agencies or departments.• Not a way to subvert the normal chain of

command.• Not always managed by the fire department.• Not to big and cumbersome to be used in small

every day events.• Not restricted to use by government agencies.

The ICS Structure

• Two Interrelated Parts– Management by Objectives– Organizational Structure

Management By Objectives• Understand the policies, procedures and

statutes.• Establish incident objectives.• Select appropriate strategies for cooperation

and resource utilization.• Apply tactics most likely to succeed.

Organizational Structure

• Incident Commander (IC)• Planning Section Chief• Operations Section Chief• Logistics Section Chief• Finance/Administration Section Chief

Expanded ICS Structure

9

Operations Section

PlanningSection

UnitsUnits

SingleResource

SingleResources

CommandStaff

GeneralStaff

SingleResource

LogisticsSection

Finance / Administration

Section

TaskForce

StrikeTeamSingle

Resource

Group(function)

Division(geography)

Incident Command

Branch Branch

Branch Branch

UnitsUnits

The Incident Commander (IC)• The IC is usually the most senior on-scene

officer from the first responding agency.• The IC is responsible for the management of

the incident and starts the process by helping setting initial incident objectives, followed by an “Incident Plan” (IP).

• The IC has overall responsibility for the incident, regardless of the duties delegated.

ICS Principles• Management by Objectives• Common Terminology and Clear

Text• Modular Organization• Manageable Span of Control• Chain of Command• Unity of Command

Essential Service Functions• ESF#1 Transportation• ESF#2 Communications• ESF#3 Public Works and

Engineering• ESF#4 Firefighting• ESF#5 Emergency

Management• ESF#6 Mass Care,

Emergency Assistance, Housing, and Human Services

• ESF #7 Logistics Management and Resource Support

• ESF #8 Public Health and Medical Services

• ESF #9 Search and Rescue

• ESF #10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response

• ESF #11 Agriculture and Natural Resources

• ESF #12 Energy• ESF #13 – Public Safety

and Security • ESF #14 – Long-Term

Community Recovery

How Does an EMCOMM Group “Fit Into” The ICS

• Involvement in any incident where ICS is used is by “invitation only” – there is no role for off-the-street volunteers.

• Your group may not have a part in the ICS structure except through your served agency.

• If your group is tasked with handling inter-agency communications it is likely that you will have a representative on the Logistics Section’s “communications task force.”

• Whether to use your EMCOMM group services will be made by the served agency, Communications Task Force leader, Logistics Chief or Incident Commander.

Questions

What do the letters “ICS” stand for?

A. International Correspondence SchoolB. Incidence Command System

C. Institutional Control SystemD. Internal Control Sequence

(PG 67, COL 1, PP 3)

What is ICS?A. A management tool for coordinating the

resources of several agencies within a single command structure.

B. A fixed and unchangeable system for managing an incident.

C. A means of subverting the normal command structure within an agency or department.

D. A managed system restricted to use by government agencies and departments.

(PG 67, COL 2, PP 1)

The ICS has two interrelated parts. What are they?

A. A mission statement and management objectives.

B. Management by objectives and organizational structure.

C. Organizational structure and a financial plan.D. A financial plan and an operational plan.

(PG 68, COL 2, Last)

Aside from the Incident Commander, there are four major operating sections

within an ICS. What are they?A. Planning, Operations, Logistics and Public

Relations.B. Personnel, Planning, Operations and

Finance/Administration.C. Planning, Operations, Logistics and

Finance/Administration. D. Payroll, Finance/Administration, Logistics and

Operation.

(PG 69, COL 2, PP2)

What is an EMCOMM group’s relationship to the ICS structure during an incident?

A. The EMCOMM group always serves within the Logistics area.

B. The EMCOMM group may or may not be a formal part of the ICS structure.

C. The EMCOMM group always serves the Task Force leader directly.

D. The EMCOMM group always serves the Incident Commander Directly.

(PG 70, COL 1, PP Last)

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