INTRODUCTION AND BRIEF HISTORY OF INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEMS
The Incident Command System (ICS), now a component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), developed following an inter agency response to a large wildfire incidents that occurred in Arizona and California. It became clear that an effective, all hazards response to a large scale incident depends upon effective communication and a clearly delineated division of responsibility. The wildfire incidents permitted the ICS system to be more fully developed, but the large scale property damage and civilian casualties highlighted breakdowns in communication. To that end, the ICS system was adjusted and revised to incorporate essential elements such as incident planning and the need for supplies. Seemingly simple concepts, like the need for uniform terminology, are incorporated into modern incident command strategies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) currently mandates the use of ICS for emergency operations, and is now a fundamental component of the National Incident Management System.
CORE COMPONENTS OF THE ICS
Because communication and inter agency collaboration is important during emergency response, it is imperative to integrate ICS language into daily operations. Indeed, emergency medical services systems routinely utilize ICS terminology when they are tasked with conducting emergency triage or participating in triage drills. Familiarization with ICS helps reduce confusion when the system is formally rolled out during a multiple casualty incidents. The ICS is predicated upon a few core components:
1) UNITY OF COMMAND: Each individual resource reports to only one commander. This prevents "freelancing" during incident response and outlines a clear chain of command and responsibility. Command unity also has implications for the accurate flow of information during any type of large scale incident
2) COMMON TERMINOLOGY: ICS avoids discipline specific language so that responders from a variety of organziations can participate in incident mitigation, response, and planning. For example, the individual in charge of a fire, police, or EMS incident is always referred to as the "incident commander." Whether responding to an in-hospital or pre-hospital incident, individuals will be easily recognized by a common title.
3) FLEXIBLE AND MODULAR ORGANIZATION: Depending upon the scope and impact of the incident, the ICS can contract and expand to meet responders needs. A multiple vehicle accident, for example, many not require formal logistics or financial sections. A natural disaster that crosses state boundaries, however, may require a significant amount of expansion. This organizational scheme permits the command structure to be aligned with the resources required for any incident response. Fire departments routinely stand up an "operations" section during the response to a building fire.
4) SPAN OF CONTROL: Effective communication is predicated upon a clear cut understanding of operational responsibility. To that end, any supervisor should have no more than seven resources under their command. Should the number of resources continue to expand, the ICS can be adjusted to appoint additional branches as required. Similarly, supervisors who require fewer than three resources can usually have their personnel absorbed by another division, section, or branch of the ICS.
The Incident Command System (ICS), now a component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), developed following an inter agency response to a large wildfire incidents that occurred in Arizona and California. It became clear that an effective, all hazards response to a large scale incident depends upon effective communication and a clearly delineated division of responsibility. The wildfire incidents permitted the ICS system to be more fully developed, but the large scale property damage and civilian casualties highlighted breakdowns in communication. To that end, the ICS system was adjusted and revised to incorporate essential elements such as incident planning and the need for supplies. Seemingly simple concepts, like the need for uniform terminology, are incorporated into modern incident command strategies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) currently mandates the use of ICS for emergency operations, and is now a fundamental component of the National Incident Management System.
CORE COMPONENTS OF THE ICS
Because communication and inter agency collaboration is important during emergency response, it is imperative to integrate ICS language into daily operations. Indeed, emergency medical services systems routinely utilize ICS terminology when they are tasked with conducting emergency triage or participating in triage drills. Familiarization with ICS helps reduce confusion when the system is formally rolled out during a multiple casualty incidents. The ICS is predicated upon a few core components:
1) UNITY OF COMMAND: Each individual resource reports to only one commander. This prevents "freelancing" during incident response and outlines a clear chain of command and responsibility. Command unity also has implications for the accurate flow of information during any type of large scale incident
2) COMMON TERMINOLOGY: ICS avoids discipline specific language so that responders from a variety of organziations can participate in incident mitigation, response, and planning. For example, the individual in charge of a fire, police, or EMS incident is always referred to as the "incident commander." Whether responding to an in-hospital or pre-hospital incident, individuals will be easily recognized by a common title.
3) FLEXIBLE AND MODULAR ORGANIZATION: Depending upon the scope and impact of the incident, the ICS can contract and expand to meet responders needs. A multiple vehicle accident, for example, many not require formal logistics or financial sections. A natural disaster that crosses state boundaries, however, may require a significant amount of expansion. This organizational scheme permits the command structure to be aligned with the resources required for any incident response. Fire departments routinely stand up an "operations" section during the response to a building fire.
4) SPAN OF CONTROL: Effective communication is predicated upon a clear cut understanding of operational responsibility. To that end, any supervisor should have no more than seven resources under their command. Should the number of resources continue to expand, the ICS can be adjusted to appoint additional branches as required. Similarly, supervisors who require fewer than three resources can usually have their personnel absorbed by another division, section, or branch of the ICS.
Typical Incident Command Structure
Note that the ICS consists of four sections:
- FINANCE
- LOGISTICS
- OPERATIONS
- PLANNING
FEMA Incident Command System Courses Link
- Complete ICS 100, Introduction to Incident Command Systems
- Complete ICS 200.HC, Applying ICS to Healthcare Organizations
- Complete ICS 700: National Incident Management System, an Introduction
- Complete ICS 800: National Response Framework, an Introduction