ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System.
It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The Emergency Management Institute developed its ICS courses collaboratively with:
- National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- United States Fire Administration’s National Fire Programs Branch
FEMA IS-100.C: Introduction To The Incident Command System
- One of the benefits of ICS is that it provides an orderly, systematic ___________ process.
Deployment
Safety
Recovery
Planning - Which General Staff member is responsible for ensuring that assigned incident personnel are fed and have communications, medical support, and transportation as needed to meet the operational objective?
Logistics Section Chief
Safety Officer
Public Information Officer
Planning Section Chief - Check-in, Incident Action Planning, Personal Responsibility, and Resource Tracking are all necessary to ensure:
Flexibility
Accountability
Sustainability
Redundancy - The Whole Community approach refers to different organizations within the Federal Government.
True
False - Establishment of the ICS modular organization is the responsibility of the:
Operations Section
Incident Commander
Local Authorities
Logistics Section - The Incident Command System (ICS) is only applicable to large, complex incidents.
True
False - The Liaison Officer:
Arranges for resources and needed services to support the incident objectives.
Tracks resources and maintains incident documentation.
Provides information to the public.
Is the point of contact for other response organizations. - The Incident Command System (ICS) can be used to manage any type of incident, including planned events.
True
False - Which ICS function is responsible for documentation for mutual aid agreements?
Planning
Incident Command
Operations
Finance/Administration - Which of the following are typical incident facilities?
Point-of-distribution sites
Camps
Incident Command Post
All of the Above - Which Section organizes, assigns, and supervises tactical response resources?
Planning
Operations
Logistics
Finance/Administration - Which NIMS Management Characteristic is necessary for achieving situational awareness and facilitating information sharing?
Accountability
Comprehensive Resource Management
Chain of Command and Unity of Command
Integrated Communications - Which General Staff member prepares Incident Action Plans, manages information, and maintains situational awareness for the incident?
Planning Section Chief
Operations Section Chief
Logistics Section Chief
Finance/Administration Section Chief - Manageable Span of Control refers to:
An orderly line of authority exists within the ranks of the incident management organization.
The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
The process of moving the responsibility for incident command from one Incident Commander to another.
The number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can effectively manage during an incident. - In a Unified Command, members representing multiple jurisdictions and agencies work together to establish:
Situational Awareness
Incident Objectives
Resource Allocations
Shared Agency Authority - Who designates the Incident Commander and the process for transferring command?
The Section Chiefs
The Incident Commander for previous operational period
The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident
The Command Staff - To avoid overburdening the incident command, resources should not self-dispatch (spontaneously deploy).
True
False - To ensure efficient, clear, communication, the National Incident Management System Characteristics recommend the use of:
Common terminology
Agency-specific codes
Technical language
Acronyms - Acquiring, Storing, and Inventorying Resources are part of which NIMS Management Characteristic?
Accountability
Incident Facilities and Locations
Comprehensive Resource Management
Unified Command - Which NIMS Management Characteristic refers to personnel requested through appropriate authorities and established resource management systems?
Dispatch/ Deployment
Incident Facilities and Locations
Management by Objectives
Manageable Span of Control - Which ICS functional area arranges for resources and needed services to support achievement of the incident objectives?
Planning
Operations
Logistics
Finance/Administration - At the incident scene, who handles media inquiries?
Media Relations Specialist
Public Information Officer
Liaison Officer
Communications Officer - Command is:
Based on the number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident.
Directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
The ability to control information exchange within and across organizations involved in an incident.
Assumed by the individual who is the highest-ranking person on the scene regardless of experience or training level. - Qualification, Certification, and Credentialing Personnel are part of which NIMS Management Characteristic?
Accountability
Comprehensive Resource Management
Incident Facilities and Locations
Information and Intelligence Management - The Incident Command System (ICS) is:
A relatively new approach created based on the lessons learned from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
A standardized approach to incident management that is applicable for use in all hazards.
A military system used in domestic incidents to ensure command and control of Federal resources.
Most applicable to the management of complex incidents that extend over many hours or days. - If the Incident Commander designates personnel to provide public information, safety, and liaison services, the personnel are collectively referred to as the:
Director Staff
Incident Staff
Executive Staff
Command Staff - Which ICS functional area monitors costs related to the incident and provides accounting, procurement, time recording, and cost analysis?
Command
Operations
Logistics
Finance/Administration - Within the National Incident Management System Characteristics, the concept of common terminology covers all of the following EXCEPT:
Organizational Functions
Technical Specifications
Resource Descriptions
Incident Facilities - Selection of Incident Commanders is done by the:
Jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident
Emergency Operations manager
Public Information Officer
Planning Officer - Which member of the Command and Staff interfaces with other agencies to meet incident-related information requirements?
Liaison Officer
Safety Officer
Public Information Officer
Commander - When partners representing multiple jurisdictions or agencies work together to establish the incident objectives, what type of Command is being used?
Mutual Command
Area Command
Unified Command
Multiple Command - Which ICS functional area tracks resources, collects and analyzes information, and maintains documentation?
Planning
Operations
Logistics
Finance/Administration - The Incident Commander or Unified Commander establishes incident objectives that include:
Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks, and activities to achieve the objectives.
Selecting personnel to serve on the Incident Management Team.
Delegating functional responsibilities and specifying resource types.
Establishing a manageable span of control. - Which ICS functional area establishes tactics and directs all operational resources to reach the incident objectives?
Planning
Operations
Logistics
Finance/Administration - Which position is always staffed in ICS applications?
Public Information Officer
Incident Commander
Operations Section Chief
Safety Officer - When command is transferred, the process should include a(n):
Award Ceremony
Briefing
Detailed Lesson Learned Report
Intelligence Report - Which General Staff member negotiates and monitors contracts, maintains documentation for reimbursement, and oversees timekeeping for incident personnel?
Logistics Section Chief
Operations Section Chief
Planning Section Chief
Finance/Administration Section Chief - An Incident Action Plan is captured and communicates overall operational and support activities for an incident.
True
False - Which NIMS Management Characteristic may include gathering, analyzing, and assessing weather service data from technical specialists?
Integrated Communications
Information and Intelligence Management
Incident Facilities and Locations
Management by Objectives - Who has overall responsibility for managing the on-scene incident?
Emergency Operations Center director
Agency Executive
Incident Commander
Operations Section Chief - Which General Staff member directs all responses and tactical actions to achieve the incident objectives?
Planning Section Chief
Tactics Section Chief
Operations Section Chief
Operations Division Director
Answers To Learn
NIMS
National incident management system provides approach to guide agencies to recover from incidence and reduce loss of life and property and harm to the environment
HSPD-5
Homeland security presidential directive’s requires DHS federal state local and tribal governments to establish NRF and NIMS
DHS
Department of homeland security
NIMS
National incident management system
NRF
National response framework like in organizational chart who does what command structure
PPD-8
Describes the nature and approach to preparedness and involving whole community, individuals businesses and faith-based organizations schools and tribes and all levels of government
NRF Guide
Describes how the nation conducts all hazards response and all agencies apply the principles for coordinated effective national response
Camp
Site in the incident area separate from the incident face equipped and staff to provide sleep food etc. to incident personnel
Function
5 major activities in the ICS: command, operations, planning, logistics, and Finance/Admn
JIC
Joint information center facility to coordinate all incident related public information activities for all agencies
JIS
Joint information system integrates incident information and public affairs providing structure and system for developing and delivering messages on behalf of the IC incident commander
NIMS includes
Preparedness, communication, resource management, command management, ongoing management and maintenance. Designed to work together
NIMS command and management components/ elements
Incident command system, multi agency coordination systems, and public information
Unified command UC
Incident command system application use one more than one agency has incident jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdictions.
Common operating picture
Incident commander
Has authority to establish objectives, make assignments, order resources
Chain of command
Does not prevent personnel from communicating with each other
Unity of command
Report and receive work assignments only from there ICS supervisor
Steps to manage incident
Establish initial incident command, assess the situation, take measures to ensure life safety, establish perimeter control and security, determine resource gaps, request mutual aid and assistance
Incident objectives established on the following priorities
Life safety, incident stabilization, property preservation
IAP
Incident action plan. Specifies instant objectives, states activities to be completed, covers a time frame called an operational., Maybe oral or written except for hazardous materials incident which require a written IAP
IAP answers these questions
What do we need to do? Who is responsible for doing it? What resources are needed? How do we communicate?
ICS structure requires each element have how many people in charge
Each element have a person in charge
Span of control
The number of individuals or resources one supervisor can manage affectively during an incident. Very from 3 to 7 and a ratio of one supervisor to five subordinates
ICS. Resources it’s critical to know
What resources are needed and available and where the deployed resources are located.
Resource management includes process
Identifying resource requirements, ordering in acquiring, mobilizing and dispatching, tracking and reporting, recovering and demobilizing, reimbursing and maintaining inventory
ICP
Incident command post
Information and intelligence management
Risks assessments, threats involving potential for violence, surveillance of Desease outbreak, weather forecasts, structural plans and vulnerabilities
Situation implications for incidents management assisted living building collapse
Take measures to ensure safety if responders, prioritize needs, determine incident objectives , identify resources needs
ICS enables
Enables a coordinated response among various jurisdictions and agencies, establishes common processes for planning and managing resources, allows for integration of Facilities equipment personnel procedures in communication operating within a common organizational structure
What is the first thing you would do after incident
Established initial incident command, assessor size up the situation, take measures to ensure life safety, establish perimeter control and security, determine resource gaps, request Aid
What questions should incident action plan ask?
What do we need to do? Who is responsible for doing it? What resources are needed? How do we communicate?
ICS is a modular organization
Top down based on size and complexity, determined based on the incident objectives and resource requirements, expands and contracts as needed and requires each element have someone in charge
What is Span of control
number of individuals or resources one supervisor can manage affectively during an incident
Spanish control on incidents vary from
3-7 and one supervisor to five subordinates
ICP
Incident command post
Staging area
Resouces waiting to be deployed
Base
Logistics administrations
Helibase
Location from which helicopter centered air operations are conducted
Helispot
Temporary location for helicopters can land and take off
Accountability checklist
Check in, incident action plan, unity of command, Span of control, resource trucking
What is your first task after being dispatched
Checking and received an assignment
After you have checked in and gotten assignment what do you next
Locate your incident supervisor and obtain your briefing
Briefings should include
Assessment of the situation, incident objectives, job responsibilities, ICS structure, location of work area, identification a break areas, instructions for getting resources, work shifts, safety procedures, personal protective equipment
Sure do you respond without being dispatched?
No
Common terminology covers what
Organizational functions, resource descriptions, incident Facilities incident response communication
Unity of command
Means that all individuals have a designated supervisor they report to
What is unified command
Incidents involving multiple jurisdictions a single jurisdiction with multi agency nvolvement. Allows agencies to work together
Management by objective’s includes
Establishing over arching incident objectives, developing strategies, developing an issue mean assignments plans procedures and protocols, establishing measurable tactics or tasks
Five major management functions
Command, operations, planning, but just sticks, finance and administration
Command sets what
Is it an objective strategies and priorities and has overall responsibility for
Operations does what
Can ducks operations to reach the incident objectives established his tactics and directs all operational resources
Planning does what
Supports the incident action planning process by trucking resources collecting and analyzing information and maintaining documentation
Logistics
Arranges for resources in need of services to support achievement of the incident objectives
Finance and administration
Monitors cost related to the incident and provides accounting procurement time recording and cost analysis
Incident commander has overall responsibility for
Establishing objectives, planning strategies, implementing tactics. On small incidents in advance they may accomplish all management functions
If your section is not staffed the incident commander will do what
Manage those functions themselves
The incident commander is responsible for what
Overall incident safety, providing information services to internal and X ternal stakeholders, establishing and maintaining luason with other agencies participating in the incident
Incident commanders me. How many deputies?
One and they must be as qualified as they are
Deputy incident commanders may be designated to
Perform tasks requested by the IC, perform the incident command function, represent in assisting agency
What does the command staff do you?
Provides information, safety, and liaison services for the organization
What does the general stuff do?
Signed functional authority for operations, planning, logistics, and finance and administration
Command staff
Public information officer, safety officer, liaison officer.
Liaison offucer
Serves as the primary contact for other agencies assisting at an incident
The incident commander may establish what four sections?
Operations, planning, logistics, finance and administration
What does the operations section to do?
Directs all response and tactical actions to achieve the incident objectives
What does logistics do
Activated as needed to support the incident response
What will the incident commander first establish?
Operations the remaining sections are established only as needed
Using consistent titles ensures what?
People from different organizations have the same credentials and qualifications
Who is responsible for a strike team or task force
Leader and support position is single resource boss
What is the title of the organizational level of a unit?
Leader is the title and the support position is manager
Who is responsible for a division or group?
Supervisor and there is no support position
Who is responsible for overall management of the incident?
Incident commander with support position as Deputy
Who is responsible for supervision of a branch?
Director
What is the title of the command staff organizational level
Title as officer and support position as assistant
Who is responsible for supervision of a branch?
director and support position is Deputy
Who is responsible for a functional sections such as operations?
chief, support position is deputy
Is signing deputies from other organizations can increase what
Inter-agency coordination
Sections chiefs are referred as
General staff
Operations section chie
Develops and implements strategy tactics to carry out the incident objectives and organizes the assigns and supervises the tactical response resources. The operation section chief is the person with the greatest technical expertise in dealing with the problem at hand
What are single resources
Individuals equipment crew or team
Single resources may be organized into two different types of teams
Task forces or strike teams
Task force
The combination of mixed resources was calm and communications operating under the direct supervision of a
Strike teams
Consist of similar resources with common communications operating under the direct supervision of a leader
What elements can be added to the operation section to manage span of control
Groups are divisions
What type of organization is the division?
East to divide an incident geographically
What are groups described as?
Functional areas of operation
Who can the operation section chief add to supervise groups and divisions
They can add branches with the person in charge designated as a director
When an operation section chief begins organizing resources into functional areas the correct additikn is called
Group
Who determines of the planning section should be added?
The incident commander
What are the major activities of the planning section?
Collecting evaluating in displaying incident intelligence and information, preparing and documenting incident action plans, maintaining incident documentation and developing plans for demobilization
Planning sections main include the following
Resources unit, situation unit, documentation unit, demobilization unit
Who decides if they logistics section should be added?
The incident commander
What is the logistics section chief do?
Make sure there are adequate resources personal supplies and equipment for meeting the incident objectives. They maintain their span of control but Adding branch directors in unit leaders
What is the logistics section is the major activities?
Ordering obtaining maintaining an accounting for essential personnel equipment and supplies, providing communication planning and resources, Setting up food services for responders, Setting up and maintaining incident Facilities, providing support Transportation, providing medical services the incident persoelle
What six units may be established in the logistics section?
Supply unit, ground support unit, Facilities unit, food unit, communications unit, medical unit,
What four units may be established by finance and administration
Compensation unit claims unit cost unit, procurement unit time unit
Who trucks personal?
The planning section chief
Who conducts activities such as search and rescue and first aide?
The operation section chief
Unified command institution in responding agencies blend into a integrated uniified team resulting in
Shared understanding of priorities and restrictions, single set of incident objectives, collaborative strategies, improved flow, less duplication of effort’s, better resource utilization
How do they make decisions under unified command?
Joint decisions and differences are worked out
What section maintains unity of command?
Operations section
What agency encourages the use of unified command?
NIMS
Under unity of command H agency maintains its
Authority, responsibility, and accountability
Unified command features
Shared facilities, single planning process an incident action plan, integrated general stuff, coordinated process for resource ordering
Incident coordination
Establishes policy based on interactions with agency executives other agencies and stakeholders, collects analyzes and disseminate information to support a common operating picture, establish his priorities among incidents, resolves critical resource issues, facilitates the distichs support and resources tracking, synchronizes public information to ensure everyone is speaking with one voice
EOC
Emergency operations center
An EOC is
A physical location, staffed with personal training and authorized to represent their agency, equipped with communications resources, managed to protocols, applicable at different levels of government
JIC
Joint information center. Coordinates all incident related public information and is a central point of contact for all news media
ICS requires you soon accountability for
Abiding by policies procedures and guidelines, working on the objectives in the incident action plan, ensuring unity of command and chain of command by taking directions from your incident supervisor, managing your stress and being professional during the incident
Initial briefings should include
Current assessment of the situation, identification of your job responsibilities, identification of your coworkers, location of work area, identification of break areas instructions for obtaining resources operational periods and work shifts safety procedures and PPE. Personal Protective equipment
Recordkeeping guidelines are
Print or type all entries, enter dates in month day year format, Andrew date and time on all forms and records and use local time, fill in all the blanks with and N/A as appropriate use military 24 hour time
What are the major ICS features
Standardization which is common terminology, command which includes transfer of command and unity of command, planning, Facilities and resources, communications, professionalism, dispatch,
The incident command designates public information, safety and lies and services. These are referred to as what
Command staff
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