ICS 100 Flashcards
ICS is the standard for…
For emergency management across the country
ICS is
Inter-disciplinary and organizationally flexible
ICS is the key feature of
(NIMS) The national incident management system
What does EOC stand for?
Emergency operations center
What is an EOC
A multi agency coordination entity that provides support and coordination to the on scene responders.
Although the EOC uses ICS management principles it does not manage what?
It does not manage on scene operations
An occurrence, either caused by humans or natural phenomena, that requires response actions to prevent or minimize the loss of life or damage to property or the environment
An Incident
The incident command system, or ICS, is a
Standardized, on scene, all hazard incident management concept
ICS allows its users to adopt what?
An integrated organizational structure without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries
When and why was ICS developed?
In the 1970s following a series of fires in California’s urban interface
Studies found that response to major incidents failed because of what?
The inadequate management of these incidents
Weaknesses in incident management are often due to:
Lack of accountability
Unclear chain of command
poor communication
Lack of a systematic planning process
No pre-designed management structure
No pre-defined methods to integrate interagency requirements
NIMS stands for
National Incident Management System
Homeland security presidential directive 5 (HSPD-5) was
Issued by President Bush in February 2003 in response to September 11 attacks
HSPD-5 called for and created
NIMS and
Identified steps for improved coordination of Federal, State, local, and private industry response to incidents
ICS is proven management system base on what?
successful business practices and the result of decades of lessons learned
What has become the standard for emergency management across the country?
The Incident Command System (ICS) which is a component of NIMS
What type of organizational structure does ICS have?
Modular that can become bigger or smaller as needed
ICS emphasizes what?
Effective planning and management by objective and reliance on an incident action plan
ICS helps ensure full utilization of all incident resources by:
Maintaining a manageable span of control
Establishing pre-designated incident locations and facilities
Implementing resource management practices
Ensuring integrated communications
Formal transfer of command occurs when?
Whenever leadership changes
How does ICS ensure the ability to communicate?
By using common terminology and clear text - by using plain English
Organizational functions are:
Major functions and functional units with incident management responsibilities are named and defined. Terminology for the organizational elements involved is standard and consistent
Resource descriptions are?
Major resources are given common names and are categorized or “typed” By their capabilities. This helps to avoid confusion and to enhance inter-operability
Incident Facilities
Common terminology is used to designate incident facilities
Position titles:
ICS management or supervisory positions are referred to by titles, such as Officer, Chief, director, supervisor, or leader
ICS organizational structure develops in a
Top down, modular fashion based on the size and complexity of the incident
As the complexity of an incident increases,
The organizational structure expands from the top down as functional responsibilities are delegated.
What management style is used in ICS?
Management by objectives
What are the steps of the incident action planning process?
Step one: understand agency policy and direction
Step two: assess incident situation
Step three: establish incident objectives
Step four: select the appropriate strategy to achieve objectives
Step five: preform tactical direction (applying tactics appropriate to the strategy, assigning the right resources, and monitoring their performance)
Step six: provide necessary follow up (changing strategy or tactics, adding or subtracting resources etc.)
In ICS, considerable emphasis is placed on what?
Developing an effective incident action plan
An Incident Action Plan (IAP) is
And oral or written plan containing general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident
And IAP includes
The identification of operational resources and assignments.
An IAP includes the measurable strategic operations to be achieved and are prepared around a timeframe called?
An operational period
What incidents require a written IAP?
Hazardous materials incident
What are the four elements of an IAP?
What do we want to do?
Who is responsible for doing it?
How do we communicate with each other?
What is the procedure if someone is injured?
What is span of control?
The number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can manage effectively during an emergency response incident or a special event
What is the Effective span of control on an incident?
3 to 7. With one supervisor to five reporting elements being recommended
The incident command post (ICP) Should be positioned where?
Outside of the present and potential hazard zone, but close enough to the incident to maintain command
What is the staging area?
Temporary locations at an incident where personnel and equipment are kept while waiting for tactical assignments
What is a base?
The location from which primary logistics and administrative functions are coordinated and administered
What is a camp?
The location where resources may be kept to support incident operations if a base is not accessible to all resources
What is a helibase?
The location from which helicopter centered air operations are conducted. Usually include services for refueling and maintenance
What is a helispot?
Is a more temporary location at the incident, or helicopters can safely land and take off
