This document provides an overview of the Incident Command System (ICS) and how it coordinates with response clusters in the Philippines. The ICS standardizes incident management for all hazards and allows different agencies to work together. It is mandated by law. An Incident Management Team (IMT) is formed for each incident, led by an Incident Commander. Response clusters such as health, protection, and logistics provide resources. The IMT tactically manages resources on-scene while clusters support from operations centers. Coordination occurs between clusters and the IMT through the emergency operations center to ensure an effective, interoperable response.

1. INCIDENT
COMMAND
SYSTEM
and
RESPONSE
CLUSTERS

2. Scope
1. Overview of ICS
2. Legal Bases of ICS
3. Incident Management Teams (IMTs)
4. Interoperability of IMTs and Response Clusters

3. Overview of ICS

4. Incident Command System (ICS) is a standard, on-
scene, all-hazard incident management concept
that can be used by all DRRMC member agencies
and response groups.
Definition of ICS
ICS and Response Clusters

5. The purpose of the ICS is to help to ensure:
• Safety of responders and others
• Achievement of tactical objectives
• Efficient use of resources
Purpose of ICS
ICS and Response Clusters

6. • Meets the needs of incidents of any kind or size
• Allows personnel from a variety of agencies to meld
rapidly into a common management structure
• Provides accountability and a planning process
• Provides logistical and administrative support to
operational staff
• Is cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts
Benefits of ICS
ICS and Response Clusters

7. Responsible Official (RO): the overall in charge of an
agency, organization or institution who has the full authority
for making decisions and providing directions to manage an
incident or planned event within his/her jurisdiction.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC): the facility that
serves as repository of information and main hub for
coordination of resources to support the management of an
incident or planned event.
Other Related Definitions
ICS and Response Clusters
References: Item 5, NDRRMC Memo Nos. 43 and 44 s 2016

8. Legal Bases of ICS

9. Section 9 (g): The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)
shall formulate standard operating procedures for
coordination…
Rule 7 (h), Implementing Rules and Regulations:
The OCD shall establish ICS as part of the
Philippines’ on- scene disaster response system.
Republic Act 10121, 2010
ICS and Response Clusters

10. NDRRMC Memo Circular No. 4, 2012
Signed on March 28, 2012, this provides the
implementing guidelines on the use of the ICS
under the Philippine DRRM System.
ICS and Response Clusters

11. Executive Order No. 82, 2012
Signed on September 4, 2012, this mandates the
activation of the ICS for human- induced crises.
ICS and Response Clusters

12. NDRRMC Memo No. 43 s 2016
Signed on August 18, 2016, this provides the
guidelines on the interoperability of the Incident
Management Teams and Response Clusters.
ICS and Response Clusters

13. Also signed on August 18, 2016, this provides the
guidelines on the mobilization of Incident
Management Teams.
NDRRMC Memo No. 44 s 2016
ICS and Response Clusters

14. Approved on 30 August 2016, this JMC requires the use of
ICS as an integral component of contingency plan for both
natural and human-induced hazards.
NDRRMC-NSC JMC No. 1 s 2016
ICS and Response Clusters

15. Regional and local DMRRCs formulated issuances
to institutionalize ICS in their respective areas.
Regional and Local
Institutionalization of the ICS
ICS and Response Clusters

16. Incident Management Team

17. Incident Management Team
An IMT is composed of the Incident Commander
and appropriate Command and General Staff
personnel assigned to an incident or planned event.
ICS and Response Clusters
Reference: Item 5.22, NDRRMC Memo No. 44 s 2016

18. Duties and Responsibilities
• Overall in-charge of on-scene response decisions
• Manages all resources checked-in
• Receives and implements the directives of the RO
• Ensures the safety of all personnel and other
resources deployed for operations
ICS and Response Clusters

19. Duties and Responsibilities
• Manages the provision of logistical requirements to
support the conduct of the operations
• Documents and reports all situation updates and
actions taken to the RO through the EOC
• Requests for additional resources from the RO
through the EOC
• Facilitates the complete process on demobilization of
resources.
ICS and Response Clusters
Reference: Item 6.1, NDRRMC Memo No. 44 s 2016

20. IMT Qualifications
1. Must come from a government agency/ office, local
government unit, civil society organization or private
sector, or a private individual with authorization to
operate in the area
2. Preferably must have completed the ICS training
requirements and standards set by the OCD
3. Must be allowed by the sending agency/ office/ unit/
organization to be deployed as an IMT member
immediately even on short notice from the RO
ICS and Response Clusters
Reference: Item 6.2.1, NDRRMC Memo No. 44 s 2016

21. Selection
1. The RO shall select the IC through Delegation of
Authority.
2. The IC shall select the appropriate members of the
Command and General Staff to compose the whole IMT
3. All selected IMT members shall temporarily be relieved
from their regular office duties and responsibilities to
perform in full-time the expected functions of their
respective IMT positions
ICS and Response Clusters
Reference: Items 6.2.2 and 6.2.3, NDRRMC Memo No. 44 s 2016

22. Levels
ICS and Response Clusters
Reference: Item 6.3.1, NDRRMC Memo No. 44 s 2016
IMT Level Criteria
Barangay IMT Incident affects one barangay
Municipal/City
IMT
Incident affects two or more barangays
Provincial IMT Incident affects two or more municipalities/
component cities
Regional IMT Incident affects two or more provinces/
chartered cities
National IMT Incident affects two or more regions/ incident
has corresponding national impacts

23. Interoperability
(NDRRMC Memo No. 43 s. 2016)

24. Coordination
The RO and the principals from other agencies, i.e.
Response Clusters, undertake coordination through the
following:
• Making policy decisions
• Establishing priorities
• Resolving critical resource issues
• Mobilizing and tracking resources
• Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating situation
report/information
ICS and Response Clusters

25. Command and Control
The IC undertakes the following:
• Commanding responders for on-scene operations
• Controlling and managing the resources deployed
tactically on the ground
• Reporting progress and updates on the
operations to the RO
ICS and Response Clusters

26. Emergency Operations Center
• Facility that serves as
repository of information
and main hub for inter-
agency coordination
• Links coordination to
command and control
ICS and Response Clusters

27. Operational
Coordinator
DRRMC EOC
Incident
Commander
COORDINATION
COMMAND AND CONTROL
Head of Response
Clusters
Responsible Official
Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
Public Information
Officer
Education Health IHA Logistics MDM Protection
FNI SRR LAO ETC CCCM
Operations
Section Chief
Planning
Section Chief
Logistics
Section Chief
Finance and
Admin Section
Chief

28. Cluster 1
The Cluster Leads organize their teams and
preposition their respective resources.
Team A
Team B
Team C
Cluster 2
Team A
Team B
Team C
Cluster 3
Team A
Team B
Team C

29. The IC organizes IMT for deployment at the
incident area.
Incident
Commander Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
Public Information
Officer
Operations
Section Chief
Planning
Section Chief
Logistics
Section Chief
Finance and
Admin Section
Chief

30. The Cluster Leads send their teams and
resources based on their mandates.
INCIDENT AREA
CCCM Team
Health Team
SRR Team
Protection Team
LAO Team
RET Team

31. The teams are required to check-in and work
under the IMT following ICS principles.
INCIDENT AREA
CCCM Team
Health Team
SRR Team Protection Team
LAO Team
RET Team

32. The Clusters shall monitor IMT’s activities via the
EOC and provide additional resources as needed.
EOC
IMT
Response Clusters
INCIDENT AREA

33. Important Points
• All authorities shall emanate from the RO.
• Clusters: force providers; where decision makers / high ranking
officials usually operate.
• IMT: force employer; where ICS trained responders operate (rank
does not apply)
• Clusters and IMT shall NEVER be collocated.
• At the national level, the IMT shall work as Area Command Team.
ICS and Response Clusters

34. Important Points
• Once checked-in:
– Clusters shall cease operational control over their resources.
– Cluster resources shall still perform according to their
mandates, SOPs and technical expertise. The IMT will just
manage them tactically for proper placement and efficiency.
• Clusters shall not send resources to the ground unless:
– Requested by the IC.
– Based on risks (e.g. PDRA-APP results)
– Based on needs (e.g. RDANA reports; IC should be notified)
– There is lack of contact from the ground
ICS and Response Clusters

35. Questions?