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CMD112

Incident Command

System Orientation

(For British Columbia)

Facilitated

Review

Session

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Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the distance learning course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the Incident Command System

2. Identify the types of incidents that use ICS

3. Explain the twelve ICS principles

4. Identify common ICS responsibilities

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What is BCERMS?

• British Columbia Emergency Response Management System

• Comprehensive “all-hazards” management system

• Designed to:– Standardize process for multi-jurisdictional

response– Guide agencies/departments in preparing

emergency plans– Clarify roles & responsibilities – Facilitate coordination of public & private sector

response

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BCERMS Response Goals

1. Provide for safety & health of responders2. Save lives3. Reduce suffering4. Protect public health5. Protect government infrastructure6. Protect property7. Protect the environment8. Reduce economic and social losses

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BCERMS Components

1. Operations & Control

2. Qualifications

3. Technology

4. Training

5. Publications

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BCERMS Response Structure

PECC

PREOC

EOC

ICP

Provincial CentralCoordination Level

Provincial RegionalCoordination Level

Site Support

Site

LEVELSLEVELS FACILITIESFACILITIES

Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre

Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centre

Emergency Operations Centre

Incident Command Post

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What is the Incident Command System?

• a model for command, control, and coordination of emergency response at the site level

• ICS principles can also be used to coordinate site-support activity at other response levels (i.e., EOC…)

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Applications

Fires, hazardous materials,

multi-casualty incidents…

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Single and multi-

agency law

enforcement

incidents

Applications

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• Multi-jurisdiction & multi-agency responses• Air, rail, water or ground transportation

accidents• Search & Rescue Missions• Oil spill response & recovery• Planned Events• Private sector emergency management

programs

Applications

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ICS Principles

1. Five Primary Functions2. Establishing and Transferring Command3. Single or Unified Command Structure 4. Management by Objectives5. Consolidated Incident Action Plans6. Comprehensive Resource Management

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ICS Principles

7. Unity and Chain of Command8. Manageable Span of Control9. Modular Organization10. Personnel Accountability11. Common Terminology12. Integrated Communications

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1. Five Primary Functions

Command

Operations Planning Logistics Finance/

Administration

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Command

• Sets objectives and priorities

• Responsible for all incident or event activity

• There will always be an Incident Commander (IC)

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Command Staff Positions

IC

Operations Planning Logistics

Liaison OfficerLiaison Officer

Information OfficerInformation Officer

Safety OfficerSafety Officer

Finance/Admin

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Command Staff

Information OfficerOne per incident who serves as a central point for information dissemination

Safety OfficerAnticipates, detects, and corrects unsafe situations

Liaison OfficerContact point for representatives of assisting and cooperating agencies

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Operations

Conducts tactical operationsDevelops the tactical objectives and

organizationDirects all Resources

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Planning

Collects, evaluates, and displays incident information

Maintains status of resources

Prepares Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Prepares other incident related documentation

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Logistics

Provides services and support to meet the incident or event’s needs

Provides resourcesProvides other services

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Finance / Administration

• Keeps track of incident related expenses– equipment records– procurement contracts– other financial related expenses of the

incident

• Monitors costs

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ICS Response Functions

Command Command The “Boss”The “Boss”

OperationsOperations The “Do-ers”The “Do-ers”

PlanningPlanning The “Thinkers”The “Thinkers”

LogisticsLogistics The “Getters”The “Getters”

Finance/Finance/ The “Payers”The “Payers”

AdministrationAdministration

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ICS Organization

Incident Commander

Operations Section

Planning Section

Logistics Section

Finance/Administration

Section

Branches

Divisions&

Groups

Strike Teams

Task Forces

Single Resources

Special Operations

Branch

ResourcesUnit

SituationUnit

DocumentationUnit

DemobilizationUnit

Support Branch

Supply Unit

Facilities Unit

Ground Support Unit

Service Branch

Communications Unit

Food Unit

Medical Unit

Time Unit

ProcurementUnit

Compensation/Claims Unit

Cost Unit

Information Safety

Liaison

Staging Area

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2. Establishing Command

“Command at an incident is

initially established by the first

arriving authority at the scene.”

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2. Transfer Command

Reasons for transfer:

more qualified person assumes command

jurisdictional or agency change in command is legally required or makes good management sense

normal turnover of personnel on long or extended incidents

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3. Single Command

• Every incident will have an Incident Commander

• The Incident Commander is responsible for all incidents or event activities

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A B

C

3. Unified Command

A-ICS

B-ICS

C-ICS

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A B

C

Unified Command

A B C

One Incident Command Post

One Operations Section Chief

A single, coordinated Incident Action Plan

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4. Management by Objectives

Objectives:

Attainable

Measurable

Flexible

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1. Agency Policy and Direction

2. Establish Incident Objectives

3. Select Strategy

4. Tactical Direction

ACHIEVE GOALACHIEVE GOAL

Incident Management by Objectives

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5. Consolidated Incident Action Plan

Every incident has oneProvides direction for future actionsIncludes measurable tactical operationsOne for each operational period

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Essential Elements

Statement of objectives

Organization

Assignments to accomplish objectives,strategies & tactics

Supporting material

SupportingPlans

ICS 205ICS 206

SupportingPlans

ICS 205ICS 206

Assignment List

ICS 204

OrganizationAssignment

ICS 203

IncidentObjectives

1...2...3...

ICS 202

Incident Action Plan

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6. Comprehensive Resource Management

Single ResourceIncludes personnel & equipment

Strike TeamCombination of same kind & type

Task ForceCombination of single resources

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7. Unity & Chain of Command

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• number of subordinates that one supervisor can manage effectively

• suggested range is 1:3 – 1:7• Optimum is 1:5Optimum is 1:5

8. Manageable Span of Control

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IC

Safety

Alpha Division

Team Team Team Team

DeltaDivision

Team Team Team Team

RIT1

RIT 2

VentGroup

Info

Liaison

Operations Planning LogisticsFinanceAdmin

Team

9. Modular Organization

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10. Personnel Accountability

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11. Common Terminology

Applied to:

Organizational elementsPosition titlesResourcesFacilities

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Common Titles

IncidentIncidentCommandCommand

Operations Planning Logistics Finance/

Administration

Branch Branch Branch Branch

Division Group

Single ResourcesTask ForcesStrike Teams

Units within Planning, Logistics & Finance/

Administration

Managerial Level

Command

SectionChiefs

Directors

Supervisors

Leaders

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Incident Facilities

• Incident Command Post

• Staging Area

• Base

• Camps

• Helibase

• Helispots

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12. Integrated Communication

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Communication Networks

Command net

Tactical nets

Support net

Ground-to-air

Air-to-air

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Common ICS Responsibilities

Receive incident assignmentBring specialized and personal suppliesCheck InUse clear text communicationsObtain briefing from immediate supervisorAcquire necessary work materialsOrganize and brief any subordinates Brief reliefComplete forms

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Think ICS even at the simplest of incidents.

If you think of the 55 functions

CommandCommand OperationsOperations PlanningPlanning Logistics Logistics Finance/AdministrationFinance/Administration

at the start of an incident, the transition from a small operation to a major event will be

much easier.

Summary

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Summary

• ICS requires only one position filled - the Incident Commander (IC)

• IC fulfills all of the functional responsibilities (boxes) until assigned to another person

• Each function (box) is filled only if and when necessary.

• Think functions not people!

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Learning Assessment

For academic credit:

• Complete the exam provided with each purchased copy of a JIBC distance learning manual.

• Submit the answer sheet/exam and student information form to the JIBC.

• Grade of 70% or higher is required to obtain course credit.

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Closing

• Comments & Questions• Additional resources found at:

www.myemresources.com • For information on further training

please contact:Justice Institute of British ColumbiaEmergency Management Division

715 McBride Boulevard New Westminster, BC V3L 5T4

www.jibc.ca/emergency604.528.5790 emergency@jibc.ca