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

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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!

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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