1 ICS Nutshell in a The INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: AN INTRODUCTION October 2011

2Objectives Identify 3 purposes of the Incident Command System (ICS) Identify 3 purposes of the Incident Command System (ICS) Identify the benefits of using ICS as a national response model Identify the benefits of using ICS as a national response model Explain the purpose of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Explain the purpose of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)Continued… At the end of this hour, you will be able to:

3 Objectives Describe the basic features of ICS Describe the basic features of ICS Explain the difference between NIMS and ICS Explain the difference between NIMS and ICS and…

4 Recognize that NIMS and ICS discussions can be filled with TLAs…

5 What is an Incident? An incident is… …an occurrence or event, natural or man-made, that requires a response to protect life or property

6 Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Order 102 Virginia adopted the National Incident Management System in November 2005 The State Coordinator of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) is responsible for NIMS implementation

7 National Incident Management System (NIMS) “…a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State, tribal, and local governments to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, location or complexity…” What is it?

8 Where does ICS fit in? NIMS = the House NIMS is the Structure, ICS is one piece of that building

9 Where does ICS fit in? ICS = A brick in the foundation Command & Management (ICS) Resource Management Preparedness Communications & Info Management Ongoing Maintenance

10 What Is Incident Command System (ICS)? Standard, on-scene, all-hazard incident management Standard, on-scene, all-hazard incident management Allows its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure Allows its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure Has considerable flexibility Has considerable flexibility A proven management system based on successful business practices A proven management system based on successful business practices

11 What ICS Is Designed To Do Meet the needs of 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. Allow personnel from a variety of agencies to meld rapidly into a common management structure.(Cont’d)

12 What ICS Is Designed To Do (Cont’d) Provide logistical and administrative support to operational staff. Provide logistical and administrative support to operational staff. Be cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts. Be cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts.

13 ICS Background ICS represents organizational “best practices” and has become the protocol for incident management ICS represents organizational “best practices” and has become the protocol for incident management

14 When does public health use ICS? We use it in response to: We use it in response to: Bioterrorism threats or events Bioterrorism threats or events Chemical, radiological, nuclear incidents Chemical, radiological, nuclear incidents Disease outbreaks Disease outbreaks Hurricanes Hurricanes Floods Floods Do you have other examples? Do you have other examples?

15 Five Major ICS Management Functions Logistics Section Finance/ Administration Section Operations Section Planning Section Incident Command Not your ‘day-to-day’ organizational chart

16 Command Staff Functions 1 of 2 Operations Chief: manages all incident-related tactical activities Operations Chief: manages all incident-related tactical activities Planning Chief: gathers and disseminates information critical to the incident Planning Chief: gathers and disseminates information critical to the incident

17 Command Staff Functions 2 of 2 Logistics Chief: manages all service and support activities Logistics Chief: manages all service and support activities Finance/Administration Chief: manages on- scene finance and administrative support Finance/Administration Chief: manages on- scene finance and administrative support

18 ICS Organization Incident Commander Planning Section Operations Section Logistics Section Fin/Admin Section Safety Officer Liaison Officer Information Officer Commander Command Staff General Staff

19 Expanding ICS Organization Incident Commander Planning Units Operations Branches Divisions/ Groups Logistics Units Finance/ Administration Units Information Officer Liaison Officer Safety Officer

20 ICS Nuggets  Incident commander has overall responsibility  Span of control varies from 3-7 staff, optimal = 5  Standard terminology is used to help reduce confusion between ICS and day-to-day positions  Incident action plans establish the overall incident objectives, strategies and tactics

21 ICS Quick Quiz: You now know some examples of how ICS is used to manage incidents. Which of the following situations represents another reasonable application for the use of ICS?

22 ICS Quick Quiz: The oversight of the little league’s fiscal plan for concession stand sales?

23 ICS Quick Quiz:

24 ICS Quick Quiz: The management of the pediatric nursing staff at County Hospital during weekend shifts?

25 ICS Quick Quiz:

26 ICS Quick Quiz: The oversight of safety issues in Lincoln High School’s auto shop class?

27 ICS Quick Quiz:

28 ICS Quick Quiz: The planning and operation of the regional fiddler’s convention and antique fair?

29 ICS Quick Quiz:

30 Incident Command and Common Terminology Common terminology uses plain English to allow personnel from different agencies to work together Common terminology uses plain English to allow personnel from different agencies to work together Common terminology covers: Organizational functions Organizational functions Resource descriptions Resource descriptions Incident facilities Incident facilities

31 Use of Plain English Communications should be in plain English or clear text Communications should be in plain English or clear text Do not use radio codes, agency- specific codes, or jargon Do not use radio codes, agency- specific codes, or jargon

32 Management by Objectives ICS is managed by ICS is managed byobjectives Objectives are communicated throughout the entire ICS organization through the incident planning process Objectives are communicated throughout the entire ICS organization through the incident planning process

33 Incident Action Plan (IAP) Every incident must have an IAP that: Specifies the incident objectives Specifies the incident objectives States the activities to be completed States the activities to be completed Covers a timeframe, called an operational period Covers a timeframe, called an operational period May be oral or written May be oral or written

34 Elements of an IAP Every IAP must have 4 elements: What do we want to do? What do we want to do? Who is responsible for doing it? Who is responsible for doing it? How do we communicate with each other? How do we communicate with each other? What is the procedure if someone is injured? What is the procedure if someone is injured?

35 ICS Organization In 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. Continued… 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. Continued…

36 ICS Organization, part 2 … In the ICS organization: Someone who serves as a chief every day may not hold that title when deployed under an ICS structure. Someone who serves as a chief every day may not hold that title when deployed under an ICS structure.

37 Span of Control … In the ICS organization: Pertains to the number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident Pertains to the number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident Is key to effective and efficient incident management. Is key to effective and efficient incident management.

38 Span of Control Between 3 and 7 Optimum = 5

39 ICS Position Titles Distinct titles allow for filling positions with the most qualified individuals. Distinct titles allow for filling positions with the most qualified individuals. Useful when requesting personnel. Useful when requesting personnel. Provide a common standard for all users. Provide a common standard for all users.

40 Your best guess: Which incident command position is responsible for all incident activities, including the development of strategies and tactics and the ordering and release of resources? Which incident command position is responsible for all incident activities, including the development of strategies and tactics and the ordering and release of resources? Question:

41 Your best guess: Answer?

42 Incident Locations & Facilities Incident command post – Field location where incident command functions Incident command post – Field location where incident command functions Staging area – Resources wait for a tactical assignment Staging area – Resources wait for a tactical assignment

43 Incident Locations & Facilities Base – Logistics functions are coordinated here. Only 1 per incident. Base – Logistics functions are coordinated here. Only 1 per incident. Camp – A site within the area to provide food, beds, water, and staff Camp – A site within the area to provide food, beds, water, and staff

44 Check-in at the incident, 1 of 2 Purpose Ensure personnel accountability Ensure personnel accountability Track resources Track resources Prepare personnel for assignments and reassignments Prepare personnel for assignments and reassignments Locate personnel in case of emergency Locate personnel in case of emergency

45 Check-in at the incident, 2 of 2 Purpose Establish personnel time records and payroll documentation Establish personnel time records and payroll documentation Plan for releasing personnel Plan for releasing personnel Organize the demobilization process Organize the demobilization process

46 Initial Incident Briefing, 1 of 2 After check-in, locate your incident supervisor for initial briefing: After check-in, locate your incident supervisor for initial briefing: Current situation assessment and objectives Current situation assessment and objectives Specific job responsibilities Specific job responsibilities Location of work area Location of work area

47 Initial Incident Briefing, 2 of 2 Instructions for obtaining resources Instructions for obtaining resources Safety hazards and safety procedures/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety hazards and safety procedures/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

48 Area Command Incident Command Post 1 Incident Command Post 2 Area command Area command not site specific – relevant to public health not site specific – relevant to public health has authority to oversee management of multiple incidents being handled by separate incident command organizations has authority to oversee management of multiple incidents being handled by separate incident command organizations Incident Command Post 3

49 Using ICS in Public Health Incident Scenario: TB Outbreak

50 Flow of Requests for Assistance Local EOCs State EOC Incident command/Unified command Federal agencies and departments Requests Assistance Local-to-Local Mutual Aid/Private Sector/NGO Assistance Local EOCs State EOC Incident command/Unified command Federal agencies and departments Requests Assistance Local-to-Local Mutual Aid/Private Sector/NGO Assistance Local EOCs State EOC Incident command/Unified command Federal agencies and departments Requests Assistance Local-to-Local Mutual Aid/Private Sector/NGO Assistance Local EOCs State EOC Incident command/Unified command Assistance Requests Local-to-Local Mutual Aid/Private Sector/NGO Assistance Federal agencies and departments

51 Is this NIMS or ICS? Incident Commander Planning Section Operations Section Logistics Section Fin/Admin Section Safety Officer Liaison Officer Information Officer Commander Command Staff General Staff Quick Quiz

52 Quick Quiz Answer? ICS

53 Quick Quiz Question 2: The ________ Chief manages all service and support activities.

54 Quick Quiz Answer? Logistics

55 A few other things to remember… You may someday be a “non-leader” placed into a position of leadership (you can do it!) You may someday be a “non-leader” placed into a position of leadership (you can do it!) You may be a “leader” placed into a position of non-leadership (remember you can’t do everything yourself!) You may be a “leader” placed into a position of non-leadership (remember you can’t do everything yourself!) Try to apply ICS during your everyday activities to learn the terminology for use during an emergency Try to apply ICS during your everyday activities to learn the terminology for use during an emergency

56 And of course you want to: Know what your individual responsibilities will be FOR ALL emergencies Know what your individual responsibilities will be FOR ALL emergencies Prepare your “self” and family, too! (as Health Department employees or MRC volunteers, our personal preparedness is critical!) Prepare your “self” and family, too! (as Health Department employees or MRC volunteers, our personal preparedness is critical!)

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58 Credits and thank you to: FEMA’s IS-700.a and IS-100 course materials FEMA’s IS-700.a and IS-100 course materials The Office of Risk Communication and Education’s Training Team The Office of Risk Communication and Education’s Training Team

59 For More NIMS/ICS Information:

60 Happy Endings