INCIDENT COMMAND INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM ICS-100SYSTEM ICS-100

INTRODUCTION TO THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM FOR

FEDERAL WORKERS

An Adaptation to Phoenix Fire IMS

ICS-100 and the IMSICS-100 and the IMSThe National Incident Management System (NIMS) is an

emergency planning system that includes an Incident Command System (ICS).

NIMS ICS is very similar to the IMS developed and used in PFD

This ICS is loosely based on the (old) California Firescope IMS

This class presents the basics of ICS with cross reference to the Phoenix IMS

ICS-100 as a systemICS-100 as a system

Only a few differences from IMS, but those are critical to understand

Federal agencies supporting operations in Phoenix will use the ICS language and concepts

This review builds on the IMS knowledge you already possess and highlights ICS

ICS, Like our IMS, can be used ICS, Like our IMS, can be used for many types of incidentsfor many types of incidents

Planned events Fire, both structural and

wildfire Hazardous materials incidents Search and rescue missions Oil spills Natural disasters Terrorist/WMD events

ICS is also useful for organizing ICS is also useful for organizing non-emergency eventsnon-emergency events

At Phoenix fire, we routinely use it for funerals

Another viable application would be to organize a Labor Day celebration with a parade and fair

The idea is that ICS is an organizing tool for managing any multi-task, multi-agency response

What Is ICS?What Is ICS?Standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident

management concept.Allows its users to adopt an integrated

organizational structure.Has considerable internal flexibility.A proven management system based on

successful business practices.The result of decades of lessons learned in

the organization and management of emergency incidents.

ICS should be interdisciplinary ICS should be interdisciplinary & organizationally flexible to:& organizationally flexible to:

Meet the needs of incidents of any kind or size Allow personnel from a variety of agencies to

meld rapidly into a common management structure

Be cost effective by not duplicating efforts Be usable for routine events such as conferences,

as well as large & complex emergency incidents

Weaknesses Addressed by Weaknesses Addressed by ICSICS

Lack of accountability, including unclear chain of command and supervision.

Poor communication, including system and terminology problems.

Lack of an orderly, systematic planning process. No common, flexible, predesigned management

structure. No predefined methods to integrate interagency

requirements into the management structure and planning process.

Fed’s emphasize no correlation Fed’s emphasize no correlation between ICS and the administrative between ICS and the administrative

structure of any single agencystructure of any single agencyThis prevents confusion over different

position titles and organizational structuresThis confusion has been a significant

stumbling block to effective incident management in the past

This is true, but the Fed’s forget to mention it is true ONLY of agencies that failed to use some recognized form of IMS

SUMMARY: What ICS Is SUMMARY: What ICS Is Designed To DoDesigned To Do

Meet the needs of incidents of any kind or size. Allow personnel from a variety of agencies to meld

rapidly into a common management structure. Provide logistical and administrative support to

operational staff. Be cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts. ICS has been tested in more than 30 years of

emergency and non-emergency applications, by all levels of government and in the private sector.

Communications is a critical Communications is a critical concern for the Fed’sconcern for the Fed’s

ICS provides COMMON TERMINOLOGYFor the Fed’s this factor by itself ensures

EFFICIENT, CLEAR COMMUNICATIONObviously other issues come into play--

following communication protocol, etc.– but the Federal ICS training emphasizes common terminology

ICS FeaturesICS Features

ICS

ICS Organizatio

n

Common Responsibilitie

s

Span of Control

Incident Action Plan

Incident Facilities

Five Major Management Five Major Management FunctionsFunctions

Logistics Section

Finance/ Administratio

n Section

Operations Section

Planning Section

Incident Comman

d

ICS Span of ControlICS Span of Control

Supervisor

Resource 1 Resource 3

Resource 2

Span of Control: Basic Span of Control: Basic Operating GuidelineOperating Guideline

Concerns supervisory structure of the organization

Defines the number of individuals or resources one supervisor can manage effectively

ICS Position TitlesICS Position Titles

Provide a common standard for all users.

Distinct titles allow for filling positions with the most qualified individuals.

Useful when requesting personnel.

ICS Organizational ComponentsICS Organizational Components

Section Division (PFD

Sector- geographic) Group (PFD Sector-

functional) Branch Task Force Strike Team Single Resource

Maintaining Span of ControlMaintaining Span of Control

Divisions: Divide incident geographically, led by a Supervisor.

Groups: Describe functional areas of operation, led by a Supervisor.

Branches: Used when the number of Divisions or Groups exceeds the span of control and can be either geographical or functional, led by a Director.

Fed’s just use different termsFed’s just use different terms

PFD would use the term “Sector Officer”, or Command might call “Sector 1” or “Transportation Sector”

The Feds use “Supervisor” for Divisions & Groups (their sectors)

Similarly, Feds see a Branch as headed by a Director

This appears to be a partial translation of IMS language in bureaucratic speak, but we will observe it.

Maintaining Span of ControlMaintaining Span of Control

Task Forces: Mixed resources with common communications reporting to a Leader.

Strike Teams: A set number of resources of the same kind and type with common communications reporting to a Leader.

Single Resources: Individuals, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew or team of individuals. PFD sees this as a “task Level” resource.

Incident Commander’s RoleIncident Commander’s Role

Has overall responsibility for managing the incident.

Must be fully briefed, and should have a written delegation of authority.

Personnel assigned by the Incident Commander have the delegated authority of their assigned positions.

Only ICS position that is always filled. As person at top of ICS, the IC is responsible until

authority is delegated to another person

Incident Commander Incident Commander ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Overall command and control.Ensures incident responder safety.Protects health and safety of the general

public and the environment.Provides information to internal and

external stakeholders.Maintains liaison with other agencies.

When the ICS expands, we When the ICS expands, we use specific titles for positionsuse specific titles for positions Specific ICS position titles serve 3

functions:1. Allows filling of positions with qualified

persons, not just highest rank2. Standardized titles useful when requesting

qualified personnel3. Titles provide a common standard across

responders

Expanding the OrganizationExpanding the Organization

Logistics

Section

Finance/ Administratio

n Section

Operations

Section

Planning

Section

Incident Command

Public Information Officer

Safety Officer

Liaison Officer

Command Staff:The Command Staff provide Information, Safety, and Liaison services for the entire organization.

General Staff:The General Staff are assigned functional authority for Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.

New Term: Command StaffNew Term: Command Staffprovide information, safety & liaison provide information, safety & liaison

services for the ICS organizationservices for the ICS organization

Public Information Officer

Safety OfficerLiaison Officer

INFORMATION OFFICER is conduit INFORMATION OFFICER is conduit for information to internal & external for information to internal & external

stakeholders, media and others stakeholders, media and others seeking informationseeking information

Additional responsibilities include: Advise the Incident Commander on information

dissemination and media relations. Obtain information from the Planning Section. Coordinate with other public information staff. Obtain information from the community, the media,

and others.

Safety Officer ResponsibilitiesSafety Officer ResponsibilitiesProvides support, resources & all other Provides support, resources & all other services to meet operational objectivesservices to meet operational objectives

Ensures responder safety.

Advises Incident Command on safety issues.

Minimizes employee risk.

Liaison Officer ResponsibilitiesLiaison Officer ResponsibilitiesPrimary contact for supporting agencies Primary contact for supporting agencies

assigned to an incidentassigned to an incident

Gathers information about support agencies.

Coordinates for agencies not in command structure.

Provides briefings and answers questions.

Understanding the General StaffUnderstanding the General StaffAssigned functional authority for Assigned functional authority for

Operations, Planning, Logistics and Operations, Planning, Logistics and Finance/AdministrationFinance/Administration

Logistics Section

Finance/ Administratio

n Section

Operations Section

Planning Section

Incident Command

ICS Section Chiefs and DeputiesICS Section Chiefs and Deputies

Team Leader

Individual Resource

Deputy Deputy

Section Chief

Operations Section Chief Operations Section Chief Conducts tactical operations, develops Conducts tactical operations, develops tactical objectives & organization and tactical objectives & organization and

directs all tactical resourcesdirects all tactical resources

Develop and manage the Operations Section. Develops and implements strategies and tactics. Work very closely with other members of the

Command and General Staff to coordinate tactical activities.

Operations Section ExpandingOperations Section Expanding

Mass Care Specialist

Fire Strike

Team LeaderTransportation Specialist

Engineering

Specialist

Operations

Section Chief

Planning Section Chief Planning Section Chief

Gathers and analyzes information. Gathers, analyzes, and disseminate intelligence

and information. Manages the planning process. Compiles and develops the Incident Action Plan. Manages the activities of Technical Specialists. Works closely with the Incident Commander and

General Staff.

Planning Section Critical Planning Section Critical RolesRoles

Planning Section develops the IAP, collects & evaluates information, maintains resource status & keeps documentation for incident records.

Purpose of the IAP is to give supervisors direction for actions implemented during the operational period defined in the plan.

Incident Action Plan ElementsIncident Action Plan Elements

What, Where, When, Who, How? What do we want to do? Where do we stage? When are we going to do it? Who is responsible for doing it? How do we communicate with each other? What is the procedure if someone is injured?

Logistics Section ChiefLogistics Section ChiefProvides support, resources & all other Provides support, resources & all other

services needed to meet operational services needed to meet operational objectivesobjectives

Provides resources and services to support the incident.

Develops portions of the IAP.

Contracts for goods and services.

Finance/Administration SectionFinance/Administration Section

Monitors costs; provides accounting, Monitors costs; provides accounting, procurement, time recording & cost procurement, time recording & cost

analyses analyses

Negotiate contracts. Time keeping for personnel and equipment.Documenting and processing claims.Tracking costs.

Communications within ICSCommunications within ICS

The ability to communicate with ICS is critical.

Use standard, common terminology.Avoid jargon.Use standard ICS position titles and facility

names.Develop a communications plan and

protocols specific to the incident.Determine flow path for communications.

Communications DisciplineCommunications Discipline

Observe strict radio/telephone procedures. Use plain English in all communications.Limit radio and telephone traffic to essential

information only.Follow procedures for secure

communications as required.

Incident FacilitiesIncident Facilities

Incident Command Post (ICP): Where the Incident Commander oversees the incident. Positioned outside the present & potential hazard zone, but close enough to maintain effective command.

Staging Areas: Where resources are kept while waiting to be assigned.

Helibase/Helispot: The area from which helicopter operations are conducted.

Incident Facilities: Incident Facilities: New Fed TermsNew Fed Terms

Base: Where primary logistics functions are coordinated and administered. Primary service & support activities such as feeding and re-supply.

Camps: Where resources may be kept to support incident operations if a Base is not accessible to all resources.

Check-In at the IncidentCheck-In at the IncidentLogs you in; accountability, passportLogs you in; accountability, passport

Ensure personnel accountability. Track resources. Prepare personnel for assignments and

reassignments. Helps locate personnel in case of an

emergency. Organize the demobilization process.

FIRST ACTION FOLLOWING FIRST ACTION FOLLOWING CHECK-IN:CHECK-IN:

Locate your supervisor and obtain your initial briefing!

To get a running start, you need to know what happened before, what’s happening now, and hear future projections

Initial Incident BriefingInitial Incident Briefing

Briefings received and given should include: Situation assessment. Specific job responsibilities. Coworkers. Work area. Eating and sleeping arrangements. Instructions for obtaining additional supplies, services,

and personnel. Operational periods/work shifts. Required safety procedures and PPE.

Incident RecordkeepingIncident Recordkeeping

Print or type all entries. Enter dates by month/day/year format. Enter date and time on all forms and

records. Use local time. Fill in all blanks. Use N/A as appropriate. Use military 24-hour time.Section Chiefs and above should assign a

log keeper (scribe).

Incident DemobilizationIncident Demobilization

Complete work assignments. Brief replacements, subordinates, and supervisor. Follow check-out procedures. Provide follow-up contact information. Return incident-issued equipment. Complete post-incident reports, critiques,

evaluations, and medical follow-up. Resolve payment and/or payroll issues.