IS-100.C: Introduction To The Incident Command System, ICS 100 With Complete Solutions 100% The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized approach to incident management that: Is used for all kinds of incidents by all types of organizations and at all levels of government; ICS is applicable to small incidents as well as large and complex ones. Can be used not only for emergencies but also for planned events. Enables a coordinated response among various jurisdictions and agencies. Establishes common processes for incident-level planning and resource management. Allows for the integration of resources (such as facilities, equipment, personnel) within a common organizational structure. When is ICS Used? can be used to manage any type of incident, including a planned event (e.g., the Olympics, the Governor's inauguration, state fairs, a local parade, etc.). The use of ICS is applicable to all types of incidents, regardless of their size or cause. National Incident Management System (NIMS) the management system used by federal, state, and local governments to manage emergencies in the United States. NIMS is organized into three major components: Resource Management Command and Coordination - including the Incident Command System Communications and Information Management The Incident Command System (ICS) has positively impacted incident management efforts by: Clarifying chain of command and supervision responsibilities to improve accountability. Leveraging interoperable communications systems and plain language to improve communications. Providing an orderly, systematic planning process. Implementing a common, flexible, predesigned management structure. Fostering cooperation between diverse disciplines and agencies. ICS helps to ensure: Safety of responders and others Achievement of tactical objectives Efficient use of resources Organizational Functions Major functions and functional units with incident management responsibilities are named and defined. They remain standard and consistent. Resource Descriptions Major resources - including personnel, equipment, teams, and facilities - are given common names and are "typed" with respect to their capabilities. Incident Facilities Common terminology is used to designate the facilities in the vicinity of the incident area. During an incident: Communications should use common terms. Organizations should avoid radio codes, agency-specific codes, acronyms, or jargon Usage of these types of codes may cause confusion or possibly compromise life safety due to a misunderstanding or misinterpretation modular fashion The responsibility for the establishment and expansion of the ICS modular organization rests with the Incident Commander. As the incident grows more complex, the ICS organization may expand as functional responsibilities are delegated. Management by Objectives includes the following: Establishing specific, measurable incident objectives. Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks and activities to achieve the objectives. Developing and issuing assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols to accomplish identified tasks. Documenting results for the incident objectives. Incident Action Planning (IAP) concise, coherent means of capturing and communicating overall incident priorities, objectives, strategies, tactics, and assignments in the context of both operational and support activities. To be effective, an IAP should: Cover a specified timeframe Be proactive Specify the incident objectives State the activities to be completed Assign responsibilities Identify needed resources Specify communication protocols For smaller/less complex incidents the IAP may be oral or written, except for hazardous materials incidents, which require a written IAP. FEMA has developed a series of ICS Forms for use in developing a written IAP. Manageable Span of Control the number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident. Optimal span of control