Incident Command System
(ICS)
- Review -
Steve Prziborowski
Incident Command System
Definition

An Incident Management System
using:
• a common organizational structure
• assigned incident resources
• stated objectives
Elements of an effective Incident
Management System

Suitable for use regardless of jurisdiction or agency
involved

The organizational structure must be able to adapt to an
incident regardless of how complicated

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
The Incident Command System
(ICS) as a Management Tool
 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 facilities. 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.
 Provides for Span of Control which is the number of
subordinates one supervisor can manage effectively
(3-7 with 5 preferred).
ICS as a Management Tool
(cont.)




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.
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.
ICS should be used for all
incidents…not just the “big ones”.

Why?
Span of Control range is
three to seven
OPTIMUM SPAN OF CONTROL IS
ONE TO FIVE
SUPERVISOR
1
2
3
4
5
Branch

That organizational level having
functional or geographic
responsibility for major segments of
incident operations (such as Air
Ops, Service or Support).

The Branch level that is
organizationally between Sections
and Divisions/ Sectors/Groups (>5).
BRANCHES
MAINTAIN SPAN OF CONTROL
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF BRANCHES
OPERATIONS
SECTION CHIEF
BRANCH 1
BRANCH 2
Geographi
DIVISION
DIVISION
BRANCHES
(continued)
LOGISTICS
SECTION
CHIEF
SERVICE
BRANCH
Ground Support Unit
Communications Unit
Medical Unit
Food Unit
SUPPORT
BRANCH
Functional
Branches
Facilities Unit
Supply Unit
DIVISIONS
Will always divide an Incident
geographically
A
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
C
B
STRUCTURE
INCIDENT
HAZMAT OR WILDFIRE
INCIDENT
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS:
OUTER
7
6
INNER
5
4
3
PERIMETER
2
PERIMETER
1
GROUPS

POOL SPECIALIZED
RESOURCE TEAMS
OPERATIONS
SECTION
CHIEF
or

ESTABLISH
FUNCTIONAL AREAS
OF OPERATION
MEDICAL
GROUP
SEARCH
GROUP
SECURITY
GROUP
FUNCTIONAL GROUPS:
OPERATIONS
SECTION
CHIEF
MEDICAL
GROUP
SEARCH
GROUP
SECURITY
GROUP
E-x-p-a-n-d-a-b-l-e
In ICS, common terminology
is applied to:

Organizational elements:
• Sections, Units, Divisions, etc.

Position Titles:
• Officers, Chiefs, Leaders, Managers

Resources:
• Engine, Truck, Tanker, Crew, Dozer

Facilities:
• Base, Helispot, Camp, ICP, Helibase
ICS Integrated Communications
COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEMS
FREQUENCY AND
RESOURCE USE
PLANNING
INFORMATION
TRANSFER
PROCEDURES
“Clear Text“


The use of plain
English in radio
communications
transmissions.
No Ten Codes, or
agency specific codes
are used when using
clear text.
TWO WAYS TO ORGANIZE INCIDENT
COMMAND
A
SINGLE
COMMAND
B
A
C
UNIFIED COMMAND
MANAGING AN INCIDENT USING
UNIFIED COMMAND
UNIFIED COMMAND
A
A
C
B
B
C
OBJECTIVES AND
STRATEGY INCIDENT
ACTION PLAN
OPERATIONS
SECTION CHIEF
HAZMAT
INCIDENT
DIV. A
DIV. B
DIV. C
Under Unified Command
there will always be:




A single, coordinated IAP
One Ops Section Chief
One Incident Command Post
A Unified Ordering Point
Reasons to Transfer Command



More qualified person
assumes command.
A jurisdiction or agency
change in command
legally required or makes
good management sense
Normal turnover of
personnel on long or
extended incidents.
Upon arrival at the Incident a
Higher Ranking Officer shall:
1. ASSUME COMMAND or
2. MAINTAIN COMMAND or
3. REASSIGN COMMAND to a third party or
4. FILL ANOTHER ICS POSITION
TRANSFER OF COMMAND
BRIEFING



What have we
got
What do we
need
Basically the
who, when,
where, what,
why

Incidents current status
& prognosis?

The plan of action?

Current strategy/tactics




Any resources at scene,
enroute and / or ordered?
Current ICS structure
Any related issues or
concerns?
Basically the info from
the ICS 201 Form
THE COMMAND STAFF:
INCIDENT
COMMANDER
COMMAND
STAFF
OPERATIONS
7-12
PLANNING
INFORMATION
LIAISON
SAFETY
LOGISTICS
FINANCE
Incident Commander
“IC”
Incident Commander
Responsibilities

The individual responsible for the management
of all incident operations.
• Establishes a command organization.
• Assesses situation, determines scope of incident, and
prioritizes the problem.
• Evaluates overall strategy on a continual basis.
• Directs activities and maintains communications with
Command Staff, Plans, Logistics, and Operations.
INCIDENT COMMANDER
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Keep agency administrator informed
of incident status

Approve the use of students,
volunteers, and auxiliary personnel

Authorize release of information to
the news media

Order the demobilization of the
incident
IC - ESTABLISHES THE
IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
FIRST PRIORITY IS
INCIDENT SAFETY
• People involved in incident
• Responders
• Other emergency workers
• Bystanders
IC - ESTABLISHES THE
IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
SECOND PRIORITY
IS INCIDENT
STABILIZATION
•Protect the public
•Sufficient kinds of resources?
•Sufficient sized organization?
Command Staff
INFORMATION
OFFICER

They report directly to
the Incident Commander
SAFETY
OFFICER
LIAISON
OFFICER
Safety Officer
Safety Officer
Responsibilities

A Command Staff member responsible for monitoring
and assessing safety hazards, unsafe situations, and
developing measures for ensuring personnel safety.
• Identify existing and potential hazards
• Keep all personnel informed of existing and
potential hazards
• Correct unsafe acts or conditions and exercise
emergency authority to prevent unsafe acts when
immediate action is needed
• Investigate accidents within the incident area
Liaison Officer



Several agencies will be
sending personnel
IC can no longer provide
sufficient time for all
representatives
Two or more jurisdictions
may be involved
Agency Representative

An individual assigned from
an assisting or cooperating
agency who has been
delegated full authority to
make decisions on all
matters affecting that
agency’s participation.

Agency Representatives
report to the Liaison Officer.
Information Officer


Responsible for
interface with the
media or other
appropriate agencies
requiring information
directly from the scene.
Member of the
Command Staff.
THE GENERAL STAFF:
INCIDENT
COMMANDER
OPERATIONS
PLANNING
LOGISTICS
FINANCE
GENERAL STAFF POSITIONS
07-17
Operations Chief
Operations Chief
Responsibilities

Responsible for all tactical operations at
the incident.
 Supervises emergency operations
 Establishes communication
procedures with IC and
subordinates
 Determines need for immediate
and anticipated resources
 Requests periodic progress
reports from Division/Group
Supervisors
ICS RESOURCE STATUS CONDITIONS
“AVAILABLE”
(Within 3 Minutes)
“OUT OF SERVICE”
(usually mechanical reasons)
“ASSIGNED”
(or “Committed”)
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY
MAINTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF:
CHECK-IN FORM
RESOURCE STATUS
KEEPING SYSTEM
UNITY OF COMMAND
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY
IS ALSO MAINTAINED THROUGH :
DIVISION A
DIVISION C
UNIT LOG
DIVISION B
UNIT LOG
UNIT LOG
UNIT LOG
DIVISION / GROUP
ASSIGNMENT
LISTS
UNIT LOGS
Technical Specialists


Personnel with special skills who are
activated only when needed. Technical
Specialists may be needed in the areas
of fire behavior, water resources,
environmental concerns, resource use,
or training.
Technical Specialists report initially to
the Planning Section but may be
assigned anywhere within the ICS
organizational structure as needed.
“ Incident Action Plan “
or IAP




The strategic goals, tactical
objectives, and support
requirements for the incident.
All incidents require some form
of an Action Plan!
For simple incidents the Action
Plan is not usually in written
form.
Large or complex incidents will
require that the Action Plan be
documented in writing.
The IAP
COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS THAT MAY BE
REQUIRED
 Command
Net
 Tactical Nets
 Support Net
 Ground-to-air
 Air-to-air
02-17
INCIDENT
COMMAND
POST

Location where primary command functions are
performed

Only one per incident

May be located with other facilities (plans, base)

Normally not relocated

The communications center is often located with the ICP

The incident commander will be at the ICP
RESPONSE GUIDELINES:

Assemble or update a travel kit

Prepare personal items you will need

Review your emergency assignment


Know to whom you will report and what
your responsibility will be
Ensure that family members know your
destination and how to contact you
06-03.1
INFORMATION NEEDED PRIOR TO
DEPARTURE FOR INCIDENT ASSIGNMENT
 Incident type and name or designation
 Incident check-in location & time
 Travel instructions
 Communications instructions
 Resource order number & request number
 Your unit’s radio designation
06-04
INCIDENT CHECK-IN LOCATIONS

Incident Command Post:

Base Or Camp(s)

Staging Areas

Helibase
- Resources Unit
06-06.1
FOR DIRECT TACTICAL
ASSIGNMENTS REPORT TO
YOUR:
DIVISION / GROUP SUPERVISOR OR
OPERATIONS SECTION CHIEF OR INCIDENT
COMMANDER
However, at the end of first operational
period, ensure that you have checked in
at the
Appropriate check-in location!
06-06
RESOURCE STATUS KEEPING
SYSTEMS
T-Cards
E 2466
Incinet & ROSS
CREWS
OH
A/C
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN I.C.S.
TASK FORCES
Combination of
Single resources
STRIKE TEAM
Combination of same
Kind and type
KINDS OF RESOURCES:
Overhead
Crews
Equipment
Aircraft
TYPES OF ENGINES:
TYPE 1
TYPE 3
Pass around the FOG...
ADVANTAGES TO RESOURCE
TYPING

Helps plan for resource needs

In ordering resources

In monitoring effectiveness of
resource use
WAYS OF ORDERING RESOURCES

AS A
SINGLE RESOURCE (1-onion)

AS A
TASK FORCE

AS A STRIKE
TEAM
(various veggies)
(5 lbs of onions)
EXAMPLES OF A
SINGLE RESOURCE
EXAMPLE OF A MIXED RESOURCES
to form a TASK FORCE:
REQUIREMENTS TO BE A
STRIKE TEAM:

Same kind and type of
resources

Must have a leader

Communications between
resources and leader

Must have transportation
(as required)

Operates within span of
control limits (3-7)
SUMMARY CONSIDERATIONS



Correct / report harassment or
discrimination
Do not use alcohol or drugs
Represent agency & self
professionally
06-12
Questions?
Contact Information

Steve Prziborowski
408-205-9006 - cellular

sprziborowski@aol.com


www.code3firetraining.com
website