ICS Overview

Chief Coy Porter

Provo Fire & Rescue

09 August 2006

ICS Overview

What Is an Incident?An incident is . . .

. . . an occurrence, either caused by human or natural phenomena, that requires response actions to prevent or minimize loss of life, or damage to property and/or the environment.

ICS Overview

What Is ICS?The Incident Command System: Is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident

management concept. Allows its users to adopt an integrated

organizational structure to match the complexities and demands of single or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.

ICS Overview

ICS PurposesUsing management best practices, ICS helps to ensure: The safety of responders and others. The achievement of tactical objectives. The efficient use of resources.

ICS Overview

History of ICSWeaknesses in incident management were due to: Lack of accountability. Poor communication. Lack of a planning process. Overloaded Incident Commanders. No method to integrate interagency requirements.

The identification of these areas of management weakness resulted in the development of ICS.

ICS Overview

Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPDs)

Management of Domestic IncidentsHSPD-5HSPD-5

HSPD-8HSPD-8

National Preparedness Goal

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

National Response Plan (NRP)

National Preparedness

Mandates

ICS Overview

National Preparedness Goal

To engage Federal, State, local, and tribal entities, their private and nongovernmental partners, and the general public to achieve and sustain risk-based target levels of capability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from major events to minimize the impact on lives, property, and the economy.

ICS Overview

NIMS & NRPNIMS & NRP

NIMS: Standardizes incident management processes, protocols, and procedures for use by all responders. Mandates use of ICS.

NRP: Establishes . . . Federal coordination

structures/mechanisms. Direction for incorporation of

existing plans. Consistent approach to managing

incidents.

ICS Overview

NIMS Components & ICS

Command and Management

Additional Information: www.fema.gov/NIMS

Preparedness

Resource Management

Communications and Information Management

Supporting Technologies

Ongoing Management andMaintenance

Incident Command System

Multiagency Coordination Systems

Public Information Systems

ICS Overview

Other ICS Mandates Hazardous Materials Incidents

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) – 1986

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Rule 1910.120

State and Local Regulations

ICS Overview

ICS Benefits Meets the needs of incidents of any

kind or size. Allows personnel from a variety of

agencies to meld rapidly into a common management structure.

Provides logistical and administrative support to operational staff.

Is cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts.

ICS Overview

Summary ICS . . . Is a standardized management tool for meeting

the demands of small or large emergency or non-emergency situations.

Represents "best practices," and has become the standard for emergency management across the country.

May be used for planned events, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism.

Is a key feature of NIMS.

Basic Features of ICS

ICS Overview

Basic Features

Common terminology. Modular organization. Management by objectives. Reliance on an Incident Action Plan (IAP). Chain of command and unity of command. Unified Command. Manageable span of control.

ICS Overview

Basic Features (continued)

Predesignated incident locations and facilities. Resource management. Information and intelligence management. Integrated communications. Transfer of command. Accountability. Mobilization.

ICS Overview

Why Plain English?EMT = Emergency Medical Treatment

EMT = Emergency Medical Technician

EMT = Emergency Management Team

EMT = Eastern Mediterranean Time (GMT+0200)

EMT = Effective Methods Team

EMT = Effects Management Tool

EMT = El Monte, CA (airport code)

EMT = Electron Microscope Tomography

EMT = Email Money Transfer

ICS Overview

“Charge the Line!”What would this phrase mean to you if you were:

A Military Officer

An Electrician

A Firefighter

A Shopper

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Overall Priorities

Incident objectives are established based on the following priorities:

#1: Life Saving

#2: Incident Stabilization

#3: Property Preservation

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ICS OrganizationIn the ICS organization: There is no correlation with the administrative

structure of any other agency or jurisdiction. This organization’s uniqueness helps to avoid confusion over different position titles and organizational structures.

Someone who serves as a chief every day may not hold that title when deployed under an ICS structure.

ICS Overview

Chain of CommandChain of command is an orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident management organization.

Authority

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Unified Command Enables all responsible

agencies to manage an incident together by establishing a common set of incident objectives and strategies.

Allows Incident Commanders to make joint decisions by establishing a single command structure.

Maintains unity of command. Each employee only reports to one supervisor.

Incident Command Post

Agency 1 Agency 2 Agency 3

Agency 1 Incident

Commander

Agency 2 Incident

Commander

Agency 3 Incident

Commander

ICS Overview

Unity of CommandUnder unity of command, personnel: Report to only one supervisor. Receive work assignments

only from their supervisors.

Don’t confuse unity of command with Unified Command!

ICS Overview

Before an incident, it is critical to develop an integrated voice and data communications system (equipment, systems, and protocols).

Integrated CommunicationsIncident communications are facilitated through: The development and use of a common

communications plan. The interoperability of communication

equipment, procedures, and systems.

ICS Overview

Incident Commander The Incident Commander performs all major ICS command and staff responsibilities unless the ICS functions are delegated and assigned.

SafetyOfficerSafetyOfficer

LiaisonOfficerLiaisonOfficer

Public InformationOfficer

Public InformationOfficer

Command Staff

IncidentCommander

IncidentCommander

OperationsSection ChiefOperations

Section ChiefPlanning

Section ChiefPlanning

Section ChiefLogistics

Section ChiefLogistics

Section ChiefFinance/AdminSection Chief

Finance/AdminSection Chief

General Staff

ICS Overview

Maintaining Span of ControlThe following supervisory levels can be added to help manage span of control:

Divide an incident geographically.

Describe functional areas of operation.

Used when the number of Divisions or Groups exceeds the span of control. Can be either geographical or functional.

DivisionsDivisions

GroupsGroups

BranchesBranches

ICS Overview

Expanding Incidents

Expanding incidents may add supervisory layers to the organizational structure as needed.

Divisions Groups

UnitsBranches

Single Resources

Sections

Incident Commander

Operations Section Chief

Command

AA BBAA BB

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Initial Incident Briefing

Current situation assessment and objectives

Specific job responsibilities

Location of work area

Procedural instructions for obtaining additional resources

Safety hazards and required safety procedures/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as appropriate

Make sure that you receive an initial incident briefing.

ICS Overview

Incident Command System

• Provides organizational structure for response to any single incident or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries

• Integrates communication and planning by establishing a manageable span of control

• Divides emergency response into five functions: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration

OPERATIONS PLANNING LOGISTICSFINANCE/ ADMINISTRATION

SAFETY INFORMATION

LIAISON

INCIDENT COMMANDER

ICS Overview

Relationship between ICS and UC

Unified Command

ParticipantsMay Include:

Local Official(s)State Official(s)

Federal Official(s)Responsible Party Representative(s)

SafetyLiaison

Information

Operations Finance and AdministrationLogisticsPlanning

ICS Overview

ICS Organization

Incident CommanderIncident Commander

Public InformationPublic Information OfficerOfficer Safety OfficerSafety Officer

Liaison Officer (s)Liaison Officer (s)

Operations Chief Planning Chief Logistics ChiefFinance/Administration

Chief

The Incident Commander’s “Command” and The Incident Commander’s “Command” and ““General” Staff:General” Staff:

Span of Span of control:control:

3-7 personnel3-7 personnel

ICS Overview

ICS Organization

The Operations Section:The Operations Section:

Operations Operations SectionSection

Branches (up to 5)Branches (up to 5)

Divisions or GroupsDivisions or Groups(up to 25)(up to 25)

ResourcesResources

Operations develops the tactical organization Operations develops the tactical organization and directs all resources to carry out the and directs all resources to carry out the

Incident Action PlanIncident Action Plan

ICS Overview

ICS Organization

The Operations Section: Multi-JurisdictionalThe Operations Section: Multi-Jurisdictional

OperationsOperationsSectionSection

BranchBranch(County)(County)

BranchBranch(University)(University)

BranchBranch(City)(City)

BranchBranch(State)(State)

BranchBranch(Federal)(Federal)

In the case of a multi-jurisdictional incident,resources are best managed under the

agencies that normally control them.

ICS Overview

ICS Organization

The Logistics Section Staff:The Logistics Section Staff:

Logistics Section

Service Branch

Communications Branch

Medical Unit Food Unit

Support Branch

Supply Unit Facilities UnitGround Support

Unit

Logistics provides theLogistics provides theresources and all otherresources and all other

services needed toservices needed tosupport the organizationsupport the organization

ICS Overview

ICS Organization

The Planning Section Staff:The Planning Section Staff:

Planning SectionPlanning Section

Resources Unit Situation UnitDemobilization

UnitDocumentation

UnitTechnical

Specialists

Planning develops the Incident Action Plan Planning develops the Incident Action Plan to accomplish the objectives, collects to accomplish the objectives, collects

and evaluates information, and maintains and evaluates information, and maintains status of assigned resourcesstatus of assigned resources

ICS Overview

ICS Organization

The Finance/Administration Section Staff:The Finance/Administration Section Staff:

Finance/AdministrationFinance/AdministrationSectionSection

Time Unit Procurement UnitCompensation/Claims

UnitCost Unit

Finance/Administration monitors costs Finance/Administration monitors costs related to the incident, provides related to the incident, provides accounting, procurement, timeaccounting, procurement, time

recording, cost analysis,recording, cost analysis,and fiscal guidance.and fiscal guidance.

ICS Overview

Three Key Points to Remember!Establish ICS early at any incident and keep it simple.. This will be your foundation for the incident. If you don’t you will be chasing after the incident instead of managing it!

Think of ICS as a toolbox full of tools you may or may not choose to use, use what you need, remember to pick the tools up!

Practice ICS at every incident so when the “Big One” hits you will be ready!……

ICS Overview

Are We Ready?

ICS Overview

Questions & Comments…..