The Incident Command System (ICS) is the model tool for command, control and coordination of response and provides a means to coordinate the efforts of individual agencies as they work toward the common goal of stabilizing the incident and protecting life, property, and the environment. ICS uses principles that have been proven to improve efficiency and effectiveness in a business setting and applies these principles to emergency response.

We live in a complex world in which responding to emergencies requires cooperation among several agencies. Given the current movement toward using an ICS structure for emergency response, it is likely, therefore, that you will function in an ICS environment. In an emergency, including search and rescue, response operations are not "business as usual." ICS was developed in the 1970s in response to a series of major wildland fires in southern California. ICS uses a common organizational structure.

The ICS organization is built around five major components:

• Command

• Planning

• Operations

• Logistics

• Finance/Administration

These five major components are the foundation upon which the ICS organization develops. In small-scale incidents, all the components may be managed by one person, the Incident Commander. Large-scale incidents usually require that each component, or section, is set up separately. The ICS organization has the capability to expand or contract to meet the needs of the incident but all incidents, regardless of size or complexity, will have an Incident Commander. A basic ICS operating guideline is that the Incident Commander is responsible for on-scene management until command authority is transferred to another person, who then becomes the Incident Commander.

INCIDENT COMMANDER

The command function is directed by the Incident Commander, who is the person in charge of the incident, and who must be fully qualified to manage the response. Major responsibilities for the Incident Commander include:

• Performing command activities

• Protecting life and property

• Controlling personnel and equipment resources

• Maintaining accountability for responder and public safety, as well as for task accomplishment

• Establishing command

• Ensuring responder safety

• Assessing incident priorities

• Determining operational objectives

• Developing and implementing the Incident Action Plan

• Developing an appropriate organizational structure • Managing incident resources

• Coordinating overall emergency activities

• Coordinating the activities of outside agencies

• Authorizing the release of information to the media

• Keeping track of costs

An effective Incident Commander must be assertive, decisive, objective, calm and a quick thinker. To handle all the responsibilities of this role, the Incident Commander also needs to be adaptable, flexible and realistic about his or her limitations. The Incident Commander also needs to have the capability to delegate positions appropriately as needed for an incident. Initially, the Incident Commander will be the senior first responder to arrive at the scene. As additional responders arrive, the command will transfer based on who has primary authority for overall control of the incident.

• Life safety. The Incident Commander's first priority is always the life safety of the emergency responders and the public.

• Incident stability. The Incident Commander is responsible for determining the strategy that will minimize the effect that the incident may have on the surrounding area.

PLANNING SECTION

In smaller events, the Incident Commander is responsible for planning, but when the incident is of a larger scale, the Incident Commander establishes the Planning Section. The Planning Section's function includes the collection, evaluation, dissemination and use of information about the development of the incident and the status of resources.

OPERATIONS SECTION

The Operations Section is responsible for carrying out the response activities described in the Incident Action Plan. The Operations Section Chief coordinates activities and has primary responsibility for receiving and implementing the Incident Action Plan. The Operations Section Chief reports to the Incident Commander and determines the required resources and organizational structure within the Operations Section.

The Operations Section Chief's main responsibilities are to:

• Direct and coordinate all operations, ensuring the safety of Operations Section personnel

• Assist the Incident Commander in developing response goals and objectives for the incident

• Implement the Incident Action Plan

LOGISTICS SECTION

The Logistics Section is responsible for providing facilities, services, and materials, including personnel to operate the requested equipment for the incident. This section takes on great significance in long-term or extended operations. It is important to note that the Logistics Section functions are geared to support the incident responders. For example, the Medical Unit in the Logistics Section provides care for the incident responders, not civilian patients.

FINANCE SECTION

Though sometimes overlooked, the Finance/Administration Section is critical for tracking incident costs and reimbursement accounting. Unless costs and financial operations are carefully recorded and justified, reimbursement of costs is difficult, if not impossible.