Basic Incident Command

1. Basic Incident Command

2. What is ICS? • The model tool to coordinate the efforts of individual agencies • Command • Control • Coordination

3. History ICS was developed in the 1970s in response to major wildfires in southern California to address several identified recurring problems • Nonstandard terminology among responding agencies. • Lack of capability to expand and contract • Nonstandard and nonintegrated communications. • Lack of consolidated action plans. • Lack of designated facilities.

4. What Will be Covered An Overview of the Incident Command Concept • Concepts and Principles • Organization • Resource Planning • Facilities • Resource Management • How ARES fits into the ICS concept

5. Common Terminology Modular Organization Integrated Communications Unity of Command Unified Command Structure Consolidated Incident Action Plans Manageable Span of Control Designated Incident Facilities Comprehensive Resource Management Concepts and Principles

6. Concepts and Principles • Common Terminology • Use common names for personnel and equipment resources • Radio transmissions in plain English (no 10 codes or agency specific codes/language) • Applies to all organizational elements, position titles, and resources

7. Concepts and Principles • Modular Organization • Develops “top down” • Can expand or contract based on current needs • ICS can consist of several layers

8. Concepts and Principles • Integrated Communications • Common communications plan • Standard operating procedures • Clear text • Common terminology • Common frequencies

9. Concepts and Principles • Unity of command • Each person within an organization reports to only one designated person

10. Concepts and Principles • Unified Command • All agencies contribute to the command process by • Determining overall objectives • Planning jointly while conducting integrated operations • Maximizing use of all assigned resources

11. Incident Action Plan Incident functions under a single, coordinated IAP One Operations Section Chief has responsibility for implementing One Incident Command Post is established Consolidated IAP when Resources from multiple agencies Multiple jurisdictions Incident is complex Prepared for an operational period (12 hrs common) Concepts and Principles

12. Concepts and Principles • Manageable Span of Control • Defined as the number of individuals one supervisor can manage effectively • ICS range is 3-7 resources, 5 optimum

13. Concepts and Principles • Designated Incident Facilities • Incident Command Post (ICP) • Staging areas • For resources awaiting assignment • Others may be designated depending on geographical extent or resources needed

14. Concepts and Principles • Comprehensive Resource Management • Maximizes resource use • Consolidates control of single resources • Reduces communications load • Provides accountability • Reduces freelancing • Ensures personnel safety

15. Concepts and Principles • Comprehensive Resource Management • All resources assigned a status condition • ASSIGNED – performing active functions • AVAILABLE – ready for assignment • OUT-OF-SERVICE – not ready for assigned or available status

16. ICS Organization • Command • Planning • Operations • Logistics • Finance/Administration

17. ICS Organization COMMAND • All incidents, regardless of size or complexity, will have an Incident Commander • Responsible for on-scene management until command is transferred • May expand or contract ICS organization depending on priorities of • LIFE SAFETY • INCIDENT STABILITY • PROPERTY CONSERVATION

18. ICS Organization PLANNING • Planning Section responsibilities • Collection, evaluation, dissemination, and use of info about the development of the incident and status of resources • Creation of the IAP

19. ICS Organization OPERATIONS • Operations Section responsibilities • Carrying out response activities in IAP • Directing and coordinating all operations • Ensuring safety of OS personnel • Assisting IC in developing response goals and objectives • Requesting or releasing resources through IC • Updating IC and status of incident and resources

20. ICS Organization LOGISTICS • Logistics Section responsibilities • Providing facilities, services, materials, and essential personnel • Functions are designed to support incident responders

21. ICS Organization FINANCE / ADMINISTRATION • Finance/Administration Section responsibilities • Tracking incident costs • Reimbursement accounting

22. ICS Organizational Structure Incident Commander Section Division Branch Group Strike Team Unit Single Resource TaskForce

23. ICS Organizational Structure How Does the ICS Relate to the Emergency Operations Center? • IC has overall command of the incident • EOC manages the community-wide resources and response • Requesting mutual aid • Managing wide scale evacuation • Coordinating social services • Resolving policy issues

24. ICS Resource Planning • Every incident is unique • ICS allows expansion/contraction to fit needs • Planning begins with initial “size-up” of situation • What is nature of incident? • Any hazards? • How large an area? • Can it be isolated? • Where can staging area be located? • Where are safe entrance/exit routes?

25. Incident Command Perimeter Investigation Control Group Group K-9 Drug Interrogation Strike Team Strike Team ICS Resource Planning Expansion for resources is flexible. For example, initial response to an incident may be two police patrol cars. On sizing up the incident, the IC may designate the following structure:

26. ICS Incident Facilities • The Incident Command Post (ICP) • Identified with green & white flag or lights or other markings • One or more Staging Areas • Location for resources awaiting immediate assignment, away from ICP • A Base • Offer primary services and support activities • Location of uncommitted or out-of-service resources

27. ICS Resource Management • Accomplish all tasks • Resource safety • Cost-effective operation

28. ICS Resource Management • Resources described by KIND and TYPE • KIND – resource by function (fire truck, helicopter • TYPE – resource by performance capability, usually described by a number (Type 1 helicopter)

29. ICS Resource Management Resource Categories • Single Resources • are individual pieces of equipment or a crew of individuals (with an identified work supervisor) that can be used in an operational application at an incident. • Task Force • any combination and number of single resources (within span-of-control limits) • Must have own leader • Own transportation • Communication between leader and next-level supervisor

30. ICS Resource Management Resource Categories • Strike Teams • Resources of the same kind and type • Must have leader • Communications among the single resources that make up the team • Typically used in major incidents

31. ARES and ICS Where do we fit? We fit nowhere in the organization until asked. There is no position within the ICS for "walk-on" operators!

32. Operations Section

33. ARCT • Amateur Radio Communication Team • Adopted as standard four character ICS mnemonic • from EMCOMMWEST 2002 Convention

34. For example, a “Type 1 ARCT” • Total of 12 operators • 2 supervisors (one day shift/one night shift) • Remaining 10 operators might be split into 5 day/5 night, or 7 day/3 night at discretion of team leader

35. ARES and ICS • ICS does not alter the way we perform our functions. Existing Amateur Radio methods and procedures remain unchanged. • ICS does provide an organization and reporting structure, with a clearly defined chain of command and span of control.

36. ICS Resources • http://www.w0ipl.com/ECom/EComBas.htm • Emergency Communications Basics written by Pat Lambert, W0IPL, includes a very good discussion of ICS and how ARES/RACES fits in • http://www.emcomm.org/ARCT/page1.htm • Guide for EMCOMM support for ICS personnel NIMS