Incident Command System Paul Schroeder, M.Ed., Health/Safety Instructor, Firefighter, Safety Consultant

Objectives Describe the Incident Command System Describe Your Role within the ICS Ascertain when the ICS is Use Ascertain the importance of your Safety at Incidents Describe the History of the ICS Ascertain the Organizational Chart for ICS

Disaster Recovery and Incident Command Every town is required to have an Emergency Action Plan This plan is suppose to prepare public and private entities for potential disasters and emergencies that strike the town Each town has to have an Emergency Management Coordinator and Emergency Operations Center Sometimes, all you can do is call for Help!

What is the Incident Command System It is the model used for Command, Control, and Coordination of a response Provokes a means to coordinate the efforts of individual agencies as they work toward the common goal of stabilizing the incident and protect life, property, and the environment ICS uses principles that have been proven to improve efficiency and effectiveness in a business setting and applies to the principles to emergency response

Emergency On Scene Management in a Disaster Situation is Needed To: Maintain the safety of the disaster workers- Rescuer safety is the number one concern, accountability of team members is very important, members work in a buddy system always Provides for clear leadership and organizational structure, develops a chain of command, who to report to and functions Improve the effectiveness of rescue efforts, rescuer response is prioritized based on rescuers safety

Need for CERT Organization Common Terminology that contributes to effective communications and shared understanding Effective communication among team members Well defined management structure with leadership and functional areas Provides for accountability

CERT Organization Fulfills These Requirements Common Terminology Consolidated Action Plans- Coordinates strategic golas, tactical objectives, and support activities Comprehensive Resource Management- Facilitates application of available resources to the right incident in a timely manner Manageable Span of Control- Provides for a desirable rescuer/supervisor ratio of between 3-7 rescuers per supervisor

Objectives of CERT Organization Identifies the scope of the incident (What is the Problem?) Determines an overall strategy (What can we do, and how will we do it?) Deploys teams and resources (Who is going to do What?) Documents actions and results

Incident Command CERT’s are part of an ICS All CERT’s through the Incident Commander will report to the first fire or law enforcement official at their location They will take directions from that person until told that the command system has changed, or until relieved

History of the ICS Developed in the 1970’s in response to a series of major wildfires in California At that time, municipal, county, State and Federal fire authorities collaborated to form the Firefighting Resources California Organized for Potential Emergencies or FIRESCOPE There have been changes based on need and location in the country you are in regarding the ICS

What types of Incidents Require the Use of ICS? Every type of incident require the use of some type of Incident Command Most common are: Hazardous Material Incidents Planned events such as parades or official visits Natural Hazards such as hurricanes or blizzards Single and multi-agency law enforcement incidents Fires Private sector emergency management programs Multi-jurisdictional and multi-agency incidents

Responders that have to be trained include: Firefighters Police Officers Public Works Department Personnel Healthcare Personnel CERT Team Members Hazardous Material Team Members

Each CERT Must Establish a Command Structure CERT Leader or ICS- Appointed to direct team activities, may be appointed, however, during activation of a disaster, person who is first on the scene is the ICS at a staging area Central point for command and control is called the Command Post, careful consideration must be give as to location of the Command Post CERT leaders may appoint members for certain functions CERT team may operate as a single team or divided into smaller teams

Command Post Is Responsible For Incident Location Access Routes Identified Hazards Support Locations Always be aware of the potential hazards!

ICS Structure First person who arrives on the scene will become the Incident Commander This can change depending on rank of the person from that agency Typically, the Chief or his/her designate is the Incident Commander

Under the Incident Commander you Have The Following Operations Section Logistics Section Planning Section Finance Section As the incident expands, you may assign other personnel in each section to handle specific aspects of the response

Functions of Various Sections- ICS Command Directed by the Incident Commander Protects life and property Controls personnel and equipment resources Maintains accountability for responder and public safety as well as task accomplishment Establishes effective liaison with outside agencies including the Emergency Operations Center if open

Right Under the Incident Commander are Important Functions Information Officer- Handles all media inquiries and coordinates release of information to the public Safety Officer- Monitors safety conditions, develops measures for ensuring the safety of all assigned personnel Liaison Officer- On scene contact for other agencies assigned to the incident

Planning Section In smaller incidents, the Incident Commander is responsible for planning When the incident becomes larger, the IC can appoint someone as Planning Section Operations Planning Section includes: *Collection, evaluation, dissemination , and use of information about the development of the incident and status of resources * Functions can also include creation of the Incident Action Plan

Operations Section Responsible for carrying out the response activities in the Incident Acton Plan Direct and coordinate all operations, ensuring safety of Operations Section personnel Assists the IC in developing response goals and objectives for the incident Implements the IAP- Incident Action Plan Requests resources through the IC Keeps the IC informed of situation

Logistics Section Responsible for providing facilities, services and materials Includes getting personnel to operate equipment for the incident Takes on more significance in long term incidents such as flooding This section is geared to support the Incident responders

Finance Section Critical for tracking incident costs and reimbursement accounting Unless costs and financial operations are carefully recorded and justified, reimbursement of costs is difficult Very important in a situation where the President declares an area a Disaster Area

Incident Commander Will Base The Decision to Expand on 3 Incident Priorities Life Safety Incident Stability Property Conservation

ICS Structure Should Include Common Terminology Modular Organization Integrated Communications Unity of Command Unified Command Structure Consolidated Incident Action Plans Designated incident facilities Comprehensive resource management

Note: CERT team members should always be assigned to teams consisting of at least 3 persons! One person will serve as a runner and communicate with the Command Post Two people will buddy up to respond to the immediate needs

Decision Making- Your Efforts to Rescue Will Be Based On: Degree of Damage Heavy- Too Dangerous to enter Moderate- Yes, only a quick check and safe removals, limit onsite medical care to checking for the ABC’s, bleeding and shock Light- Yes, you can triage, move victims to designated treatment area

Damaged Structure: Strategies- Light Damage Secure building utilities Establish and coordinate search and rescue teams with medical triage personnel Primary Mission- Locate, triage, and prioritize removal of victims to designated treatment area Always reassess structural stability and available resources for heavy rescue problems Communicate and document location of trapped and missing persons to Incident Command

Damaged Structures- Moderate Damage Secure the buildings utilities, gas, electric, water Get victim locations Establish a control person at the exit and entry points Establish 2-4 person rescue teams Primary Mission- Locate, stabilize, immediately evacuate victims to a safe area, minimize the number of rescuers inside building Perform triage and medical care in a safe area Always continue size up of structure

Damaged Structure Strategy- Heavy Damage Communicate the location and extent of damage to emergency personnel Secure building perimeter and warn untrained volunteers about the danger If possible, from the exterior of the building, attempt to shut off gas Gather information for professional rescue teams

Importance of Documentation Vital to document and communicate all information about the disaster situation and resource status Efficient flow of information makes it possible for resources to be deployed effectively and for professional emergency services to be applied appropriately Documentation also assists with getting money after the incident

Support Locations Include Staging Area- Area where personnel and equipment are staged, then called upon when needed Medical Treatment and Triage area Morgue- Where fatalities go if any Note: This information needs to be relayed to responders on scene

It is Your Turn You are called to assist the Fire Department at the scene of a Structure Fire Identify the Scope of the Incident Determine the CERT strategy Set priorities and deploy resources Consider Your Safety in this Situation

It is Your Turn A tornado comes through the town and does major damage Identify the scope of the incident Determine an overall CERT strategy for this incident Set Priorities What are Safety precautions to take in this incident? Power lines are down, several structures with significant damage

It is Your Turn A blizzard has come through the area Identify the scope of the incident Determine an overall CERT strategy Set priorities What are the safety problems with this incident? Trees are down in this incident Power lines are down People are using emergency generators

It is Your Turn We are asked to assist emergency services after a flood Identify the scope of the incident Determine an overall CERT strategy Set priorities and deploy resources for this incident What are some safety considerations Remember flood waters affect structural stability If the power shut off is in the basement and it is flooded, have the utility company shut of the power

It is Your Turn You come across a small fire you believe you can put out What are some safety considerations you need to be aware of before putting out this fire Answers on the next slide!

Be aware of: How big the fire is Is there a lot of smoke, remember, smoke kills! Do not turn your back on the fire, remember, the fire can re ignite Be aware of what is burning, there are several things that give off extremely toxic products of combustion Be aware of how you are dressed, do you have the correct PPE on before fighting the fire, you can be burned easily

Look at this Slide: Remember-Your Safety Comes First What types of PPE are missing with this type of operation? It is important to wear all available PPE

CERT’s CERT’s can do many things Be aware of your limitations You are not an emergency response person You do not have respirators You do not have fire turn out gear You do not have bullet proof vests Always have Situational Awareness