Incident Command System

Basic Principles

• Single point of command
• Someone is in charge at each organizational level.
• Each person within the organization reports to only one supervisor.
• Manageable span of control
• The span of control for any supervisor fall within a range of 3 to 7 resources, with 5 being the optimum.

Modular Organization

• At it’s smallest every incident has a Command Function (i.e someone is in charge!)
• As the incident warrants and resources are available, the Incident Commander can expand the organizational structure by delegating responsibility for other functional components.

Common Terminology

• We agree on what things are called.
  We communicate in plain English without using codes and obscure acronyms.

Integrated Communication

• Communications networks are structured so that multiple groups and agencies can send messages to one another.
• Communications networks are structured like the overall organization.
• Networks are separated to avoid an overload of message traffic.

Designated Incident Facilities

• Town & County Emergency Operations Centers
• CERPP Division Operations Centers
• Neighborhood Operations Centers
• Staging Areas

ICS Functional Components

Command

• Sets objectives and priorities
• Has overall responsibility at the incident

Operations

• Conducts tactical operations to carry out the plan.
• Develops the tactical organization
• Directs all tactical resources

Planning

• Develops the Action Plan to accomplish the objectives.
• Maintains situation status
• What has happened
• What’s damaged
• Who’s injured
• Maintains resource status
• What resources are committed or available

Logistics

• Provides support to meet incident needs

Communications

Transportation

Shelter, Food, & Water for incident personnel

Tools & Equipment

Finance & Administration

• Identify and track property that has been loaned or borrowed.
• Handle registration of spontaneous volunteers.