The Incident Command System (ICS) is a model for command, control, and coordination of emergency response at the site level.
ICS is “Organized Common Sense”
WHAT IS THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM?
The Incident Command System (ICS) is a model for
command, control, and coordination of emergency response at the site
level.
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LESSONS WITHOUT FORMAL ICS
World Trade Centre
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“The
Police
and
Fire
Departments did not work
together that day, and they
rarely did before.” (Command
and Control issue)
“Other firefighters appear to
have been using one radio
channel
while
evacuation
orders went out over another.”
(Communications issue)
LESSONS WITHOUT FORMAL ICS
Firestorm 2003
“The criticisms the Review
Team heard ranged from too
many bosses, to no one
running the ship, to lack of
coordination, to jurisdictions
and
responsibilities
were
confusing.”
(Command
&
Control issues)
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WHY USE THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM?
The same ICS structure can also be used to coordinate site support at
an Emergency Operations Centre or regional/provincial support
activity, or national support activity.
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WHO USES THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM?
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•
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RCMP
Municipal Police
Ambulance Services
Fire Services
Airport Authorities
Transport Authorities
Food Inspectors
Border Services
Health Providers
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Industry
Military
First Nations Groups
Hospitals
Labor Unions
Sheriff Services
Correctional Centers
Schools
Shopping Centers
HISTORY OF ICS
FIRESCOPE
Wildland fires in the 1970s:
• Multiple agencies involved
• Organizational difficulties experienced
• Result was the development of the original ICS
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ICS PRINCIPLES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
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Five Primary Functions
Establishing and Transferring Command
Single or Unified Command Structure
Management by Objectives
Consolidated Incident Action Plans
Comprehensive Resource Management
Unity and Chain of Command
Manageable Span of Control
Modular Organization
Personnel Accountability
Common Terminology
Integrated Communications
ICS RESPONSE GOALS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Provide for safety and health of all responders
Save lives
Reduce suffering
Protect public health
Protect government infrastructure
Protect property
Protect the environment
Reduce economic and social losses
ICS RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
Command
The “Boss”
Operations
The “Do-ers”
Planning
The “Thinkers”
Logistics
The “Getters”
Finance/Admin
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The “Payers”
THE WEDDING…
Practical examples of ICS usage…
Social events
Athletic tournaments
Demonstrations
Work stoppages
ICS is “organized common sense”
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INFORMATION OFFICER
The Information Officer:
Is responsible for interface with
the media.
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Coordinates the release of
information to the public and
responders.
Works in cooperation with the
E/DOC Information Officer.
SAFETY OFFICER
The Safety Officer:
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Formulates measures to protect
personnel safety
Takes immediate action to stop
or prevent unsafe acts when
conditions or time do not permit
going through lines of authority
LIAISON OFFICER
The Liaison Officer:
Acts as a diplomat
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Acts as the point of contact for
assisting or cooperating
agencies
Works with private contractors
to address needs
AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES
An Agency Representative is an individual
assigned to an incident from an assisting or
cooperating agency
(Who has been delegated full authority to make
decisions on all matters affecting that agency’s
participation at the incident).
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GENERAL STAFF POSITIONS
IC
Information Officer
Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
Operations
Section
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Planning
Section
Logistics
Section
Finance/Admin
Section
FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION
Keeps track of incident related
expenses
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procurement contracts
equipment records
other financial related expenses
of the incident
Monitors costs
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN ICS
Single Resource
Includes Personnel and Equipment
Strike Team
Combination of same kind and type
Task Force
Combination of Single Resources
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UNITY AND CHAIN OF COMMAND
OPERATIONS
SECTION
STAGING
AREA
SPECIAL
OPERATIONS
BRANCHES
DIVISIONS
GROUPS
Task Forces
Single
Resources
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Strike Teams
Single
Resources
individual has a
designated
Task Forces
Strike Teams
In ICS every
supervisor
SPAN OF CONTROL
Span of control is the number of resources
that one supervisory level can effectively
manage.
In ICS span of control ranges from 3 to 7.
(1:3, 1:7)
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COMMON TERMINOLOGY
Use ICS position titles:
In multi-agency incidents to provide standardization.
All ICS communications should use clear text (that is, plain
language). Do not use radio codes, agency-specific
codes, acronyms, or other jargon.
In ordering resources to ensure understanding.
To allow most qualified personnel to be used.
“I don’t have a qualified IC for this incident.
Does your agency have one that could be assigned?”
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INCIDENT COMMAND POST
Only one per incident
May be located with other facilities
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Location where primary command functions are performed
Normally not relocated
STAGING AREAS
Temporary locations for resources awaiting assignments
Resources on a three minute available status
May include fueling and sanitation
Staging Area Manager is required
May be designated for certain kinds of resources
S
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CAMPS/BASES
Temporary locations to provide services to incident personnel
Primary support activity
Logistics Section located at Base
Out-of-service equipment and personnel normally located here
C
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B
ICS MULTI-LEVEL RESPONSE
8. Manage Additional Resources
7. Establish Additional Facilities
6. Review and Modify the
Incident Action Plan
5. Develop Appropriate
Organization
4. Manage Resources
3. Organize The Site
2. Determine Initial Objectives,
Strategies & Tactics
1. Establish Initial Command
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CONSIDER
The “Summit of the Americas” in
Quebec
City
required
the
registration of 7500 residents,
deployment of over 6000 riot police,
1000 workers to build a 4 km fence
to contain 25 - 60,000 protesters at a
cost of $100 million.
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Comprehensive management scheme
Ensures coordinated & organized Provincial
response & recovery
Common response culture
Plans are similar
Only one “system” to learn
Eliminates duplication
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MULTI-LEVEL RESPONSE STRUCTURE
ICS principles are used at all levels.
NATIONAL
REGIONAL/PROVINCIAL
SITE SUPPORT LEVEL
E/DOC
SITE LEVEL
INCIDENT COMMAND POST
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