Command system

The system must ensure joint decisions in areas such as objectives, strategies, plans, priorities, and communications. The system focuses on responder readiness to manage and conduct incident actions by coordinating before an event. Some benefits include (1) maintaining a predictable chain of accountability, (2) flexible response to specific incidents, (3) improved documentation, (4) common language to facilitate outside assistance, (5) prioritized response checklists, and (6) cost-effective planning (Table 6.2). 

The Incident Command System (ICS) organization relies on the functions command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration to manage emergency or disaster incidents. The system coordinates responses for events involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies. It retains the principle 

Common Terminology The use of similar terms and definitions for resource descriptions, organizational functions, and incident facilities across disciplines. 

Integrated Communications The ability to send and receive information within an organization and externally to other disciplines. 

Modular Organization Assets within each functional unit may be expanded or contracted based on the requirements of the event. 

Unified Command Structure Disciplines and response organizations work through designated managers to establish common objectives and strategies to reduce conflict or duplication. Span of Control The structure permits each supervisory level to oversee an appropriate number of assets based on size and complexity of the event. 

Span of Control Ratio Maintaining effective supervision with an element supervising three to seven entities, with five being the ideal. 

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PRIMARY FEATURES OF THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM Adaptability Flexibility Span of Control Unity of Command... 

Employees outside immediate release area who assist on-scene incident commander All activities coordinated through individual in charge of the incident command system Examples industrial hygienists or health physicists providing guidance on PPL selection Individuals likely to witness or discover a release and who are trained to initiate emergency response sequence... 

Improvement Item Fire Department should establish recorder position to assist and document IC (Incident Commander) activities Court recorders were provided but not coordinated with IC. No coordination between Fire Department and EMS during initial incident response. Incident Command System (ICS) process was not followed by all responding agencies. 

Improvement Item Formal mutual aid agreement needed with Richmond County. GVW Fire Department personnel need to be briefed on County Emergency Operations plans and procedures. Entry teams from other agencies not coordinated with FDIC (Fire Department Incident Commander) during early hours of the incident. Buses used for transport of evacuees were not coordinated with FDIC. Better integration of law enforcement and EMS personnel into Fire Department ICS (Incident Command System) was needed. 

Strength ACSO shift supervisor performed running roll call for those on-duty. Personnel were ordered to go to staging (per their Incident Command System training) and reported to Aiken Department of Public Safety for accountability. ACSO appointed Staging officer to coordinate incoming law enforcement resources. To aid in accountability efforts, an employee roster was developed by plant supervision (from Avondale Mills). 

Strength The Incident Command System and key positions were implemented early in response. Routine briefings were conducted for participating agencies. When Sheriff left the CP, command was transformed to other ACSO staff. 

Strength The Incident Command System and key positions were implemented early in response. 

Establish Incident Command System appoint personnel to handle specific ICS positions... 

Identify exposure problems, potential difficulties and hazards, equipment needed and available, make appropriate notifications to obtain outside help, study pre-plans if they exist, develop action plan (priorities, tactics, assignments to the ICS (Incident Command System) and Unified Command. 

Incident Command System (ICS) An organized system of responsibilities, roles, and standard operating procedures used to manage and direct emergency operations. 

In considering the use of outside responders, the first issue is to decide what type of incidents they may be called to respond to and what role they will play when they respond. The second issue is to determine who will supply the Incident Command System (ICS) and how will facility emergency response, other employees, and all outside responding groups be integrated under the ICS. 

Where the community response organization supplies the incident command system, the role of the facility employees will need to be defined ... 

Implement the Incident Command System, including procedures for the notification and utilization of outside resources. 

Activate Incident Command system(ICS) Incident Commander... 

ICS Incident command system. lED Improvised explosive device. 

According to the passage, the Incident Command System is important because it... 

The supervisor must be able to account for all the personnel undertaking operations. Only choice a conveys that. The other three choices would not accomplish the purpose, and they are also not found in the passage. The Incident Command System provides for command, control, and communications at any size emergency incident. It provides a framework so that each person has a clear line of command and a clear chain of accountability. Although there are types of incident command that will allow for more than one commander, that is rare and it does not change the use of ICS as a tool to account for personnel on the fire ground. 

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