Incident Command System
Expansion and Contraction of an Incident
ICS 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
• Pre-designated incident
locations and facilities
• Resource management
• Information and
intelligence management
• Integrated communications
• Transfer of command
• Accountability
• Deployment
ICS Organization
Incident Commander
Public Information
Officer
Liaison
Officer
Safety
Officer
Operations Section
Air Ops
Branch
Branches
Divisions
Planning Section
Resources
Unit
Demob.
Unit
Situation
Unit
Doc.
Unit
Logistics Section
Service
Branch
Support
Branch
Commun.
Unit
Supply
Unit
Medical
Unit
Facilities
Unit
Food
Unit
Ground
Support
Unit
Finance/Admin.
Section
Time
Unit
Compensation
Claims Unit
Procurement
Unit
Cost
Unit
Groups
Strike Team
Task Force
Single Resource
Remember-you only activate what
you need, when you need it.
Expanding the Incident
• Operations Section generally expands from
the “ground up”
–
–
–
–
–
Single Resources
Task Forces
Strike Teams
Groups/Divisions
Branches
If the IC does not assign it or delegate it,
the IC remains responsible for it.
Expanding the Incident
• Planning
– Units
• Logistics
– Service and/or Support Branches
• Units
• Finance/Administration
– Units
If an EOC is activated, what can they do
to support the Incident Commander?
Contracting the Incident
•
•
•
•
Who/what resources can be released?
When can they be released?
How will they be released?
Can they be re-assigned?
Exercise
Scenario
• The local police have received a complaint
of a group of about 10 teenagers and
young adults gathering at a house.
• The caller stated that the group is
disrupting traffic and shouting obscenities
at pedestrians.
• Multi-family dwelling in a neighbourhood
of single family homes and town homes
Scenario continued
• Police department has
dispatched two patrol
cars
• Assignment: discuss
how you would
organize using the
principles of ICS.
Update One
• During the size up done by police, drug
activity was identified
• Observed 12 persons outside dwelling
• Require additional resources:
– 1 drug K-9 Unit
– 3 police officers to keep traffic and pedestrians
from area (perimeter control)
– 3 additional officers to assist with questioning
and if necessary, arrests
Update One continued
• Assignment:
– You realize you are no longer in a position to
provide good direct supervision overall onscene and incoming resources
– You have exceeded your span of control
– What will your new organizational chart look
like?
Update Two
• Requested resources are on site
• K-9 Strike Team entered structure also
discovered bomb making material; exited
structure reported findings to Investigation
Group Supervisor
• Supervisor reported status to Incident
Commander
Update Two continued
• Following resources requested:
– 3 patrol cars to assist with perimeter control
– 3 patrol cars to assist with evacuations in the
areas adjacent to the structure
– 1 bomb squad
– 1 hazardous materials unit
– 2 fire crews for possible fire suppression
– 2 EMS units (assigned to Staging Area)
– Utilities crews to turn off gas, power to
structure
Update Two continued
• Assignment:
– What are the key issues? Include hazards,
priorities
– What contingencies should you allow for?
– List your objectives and prioritize them
– Revise your organizational chart to reflect the
additional resources requested.
Update Three
• Resources have
arrived and utilities
have been shut off
• Bomb Disposal Unit
entered structure
• One bomb exploded
causing partial
structural collapse
• Fire in structure and
two adjacent
structures
Update Three continued
• Fire suppression
begin extinguishing
fire
• Heat grows more
intense, other bombs
begin exploding
• Flaming debris falling
on adjacent structures
Update Three continued
• IC completes another
size up and
determines additional
resources required:
– Additional fire
suppression units
– Additional EMS units
– Planning and logistical
support
Update Three continued
• Assignment:
– Where would you get additional resources
from? Internally? Externally?
– What does your new organizational structure
look like?
Update Four
• Fires under control
within hour
• Two members of
Bomb Disposal Unit
killed
• Several firefighters
injured by debris,
smoke inhalation
Update Four continued
• Planning Section Chief established a
Demobilization Unit
• Perpetrators arrested and transported
• Unexploded ordnance, drug paraphernalia
removed and transported
• Perimeter Control and Evacuation Groups
demobilized
• Staging Area demobilized
• Support Branch and Facilities Unit demobilized
Update Four continued
• Assignment: Revise your organizational
structure to reflect the changes and
contraction of the incident
Applying ICS in the EOC
EMERGENCY MGMNT AGENCY
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE
LIAISON
EOC
DIRECTOR
(MAYOR & COUNCIL)
LEGAL/
RISK MGMT
Admin
CITY HALL
CHIEF OF
OPERATIONS
EOC
Admin
EOC
D/DIRECTOR
CHIEF OF
PLANNING
POLICE
ATCO
GAS
SITUATION
FIRE
EPCOR
LOGGING
HEALTH
MAPPING
EMS
TRANSIT
TRANSITION
ROADS
DOCUMENTATION
PUBLIC
WORKS
EXTERNAL
AGENCIES
PUBLIC
INFORMATION
CHIEF OF
FINANCE &
ADMINISTRATION
CHIEF OF
LOGISTICS
IT
EPIC/311
ARES
FACILITIES
HUMAN
RESOURCES
SECURITY
EOC SUPPORT
TECHNICAL
SPECIALISTS
DSS
2008
MANAGEMENT
Municipal
EOC
Operations
Planning
Logistics
Finance
Administration
Planning
Logistics
Finance
Administration
INCIDENT
COMMANDER
Inciden
t
Site
Operations
Primary Field-EOC Coordination and Information Flow
Lines of secondary communication and coordination
Lines of Management Authority
Thank You
Questions?
Joanne Sheardown
joanne.sheardown@edmonton.ca
780-496-6724