ICS Flashcards
What is ICS?
- A _________, on scene, all-hazards __________ ________ concept.
- Enables a ________ _________ among various jurisdictions and agencies.
- Establishes common processes for ________ and ________ of resources.
- Allows for ________ within a common organization structure.
- Standardized, incident management
- Coordinated response
- Planning, management
- Integration
When is ICS used? 4
- Natural hazards
- Technological hazards
- Human-caused hazards
- Planned events
An ________ is an occurrence or event, natural or human-caused that requires a response to protect life or property.
Incident
The ______ _________ ________ _________ provides a consistent framework for incident management at all jurisdictional levels regardless of the cause, size, or complexity of the incident. It is not a operational incident management or resource allocation plan.
National incident management system (NIMS)
NIMS:
- What?
- Who?
- How?
- Why?
- Provides a consistent nationwide template.
- To enable federal, state, tribal, and local governments, the private sector, and non governmental organizations to work together.
- To prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity.
- In order to reduce the loss of life and property, and harm to the environment.
What are 4 components of NIMS?
Parrots Can Really Call Others.
- Preparedness
- Communications and information management
- Resource management
- Command and management
- On going management and maintenance
Components of command and management?
I Make Poop
- ICS
- Multiagency coordination systems
- Public information
3 benefits of ICS:
- The safety of responders, faculty, workers and others.
- The achievement of response objectives.
- The efficient use of resources.
- Regarding ICS, using common terminology while communicating refers to what?
- What does this help define? 4
- Not using codes
- -organizational functions
- incident facilities
- resource descriptions
- position titles
____________ is the act of directing, ordering, or controlling, by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
Command
What is moving the responsibility for command from one incident commander to another. It may be down, oral, written, or both.
Transfer of command
4 reasons why a command is transferred:
- A more qualified incident commander arrives.
- A jurisdiction or agency is legally required to take command.
- Incident complexity changes.
- The current incident commander needs to rest.
_________ ____ __________ is an orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident management organization.
Chain of command
Under ________ ____ _________, personnel report to only one supervisor and receive work assignments only from the that assigned supervisor.
Unity of command.
________ ___________ are used to ensure that everyone within the ICS organization has a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished.
Incident objectives
The 3 priorities for incident objectives are:
“Lip”
- Life safety
- Incident stabilization
- Property/environmental preservation.
Under the ICS organization, assigning personnel is based on _________ not _________.
Expertise, rank.
Under modular organization, incident command organizational structure is based on what 3 things?
- Size
- Type of hazard created but the incident.
- Complexity of the incident.
A. Every incident must have an incident action plan (IAP) and the incident commander must ensure that the IAP does what 4 things?
B. What type incident cannot be oral and is required to be written?
A. 1. Specifies the incident objectives
2. States the activities to be completed.
3. Covers a specific timeframe, called and operational period.
4. May be oral or written
B. Hazardous materials incident.
Every IAP must answer what 4 questions?
- 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?
________ ____ __________ pertained to the number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident.
Span of control
ICS span of control for any supervisor is what?
- between 3-7 subordinates.
- optimally does not exceed 5.
What are the 6 basic ICS facilities that have a map symbol associated with them?
- Incident command post
- Staging area
- Base area
- Camp (where incident members sleep at night)
- Helibase (helo hanger)
- Helispot (helo landing zone) (H-3)
What are personnel and major items of equipment, supplies, and facilities available or potentially available for assignment to incident operations and for which status is maintained?
Resources
___________ ____________ includes processes for:
- categorizing, credentialing, and identifying resources in advance.
- ordering resources.
- dispatching resources.
- tracking resources.
- recovering resources.
Resource management.
___________ _____________ is when the development and use of a common communications plan takes place and the interoperability of the communication equipment, procedures, and systems.
Integrated communications.
What are the 5 principles of effective accountability during incident operations?
- Check in
- Incident action plan
- Unity of command
- Span of control
- Resource tracking
When an incident occurs, you must be dispatched or deployed to become part of the incident response. Personnel and equipment should respond only when requested or when dispatched. After being deployed, you first task should be to what?
Check in and receive an assignment.
What are the 5 major management functions that are the foundation upon which the ICS organization develops?
- Incident command
- Operations
- Planning
- Logistics
- Finance & administration
Who is responsible for all ICS management functions until delighted?
Incident commander
Regarding delegation of incident management functions, if a section is not staffed, who will personally manage those functions?
Incident commander
The incident commander is responsible for what 3 things?
- Ensuring incident safety.
- Providing information to internal and external stakeholders.
- Establishing and maintaining liaison with other agencies participating in the incident.
Deputy incident commanders must be as qualified as who?
The incident commander
A deputy incident commander may be designed to do what 3 things?
- Perform specific tasks as requested by the incident commander
- Perform the incident command function in a relief capacity
- Represent an assisting agency that shares jurisdiction
As an incident grows, the incident commander may delegate authority for performance of certain activities to the _________ __________ and the __________ __________.
Command staff.
General staff.
When the incident commander delegates authority to the command staff, what are four different positions?
“S.L.I.P.”
- Safety officer
- Liaison officer
- Incident command
- Public information officer
When the incident commander delegates authority to the general staff, what are four different positions?
“F.L.O.P.”
- Finance
- Logistics
- Operations
- Planning
Who advises the I.C. On information dissemination and media relations AND obtains information from and provides information to the planning section, the community, and the media?
Public information officer
Who advises the I.C. On issues regarding incident safety AND works with operations to ensure safety of field personnel (not citizens) AND ensures safety of all incident personnel.
Safety Officer
Who assists the I.C. By serving as a point of contact for representatives from other response organizations AND provides briefings to and answers questions from supporting organizations?
Liaison Officer
In an expanding incident, the I.C. First establishes the __________ _________? The remaining sections are established as needed to support the operation.
Operations section.
What section directs all response/tactical actions to achieve the incident objectives?
Operations section
Name 7 of the different organizational elements.
- Sections
- Divisions (geographical)
- Groups (performs same functions)
- Branches
- Task forces
- Strike teams
- Single resources
Section chiefs may have one or more _________, which may assume responsibility for a specific portion of the primary position, work as relief, or be assigned other tasks. Must be as proficient as the person for whom he or she works.
Deputies.
When an incident involves multiple organizations, assigning __________ from other organizations can increase interagency coordination.
Deputies
What section develops from the bottom up, has the most incident resources, may have staging areas and special organizations, and is typically one of the first organizations to be assigned to the incident.
Operations section.
On smaller incidents, the operations section may be comprised of an operations section chief and __________ ____________.
Single resources.
Single resources may be organized into teams. Using standard ICS terminology, the two types of team configurations are?
- Task forces
2. Strike teams
_________ ___________ are a combination of mixed resources with common communications operating under the direct supervision of a leader.
Task forces
________ __________ include all similar resources with common communications operating under the direct supervision of a leader.
Strike teams
The operations section chief may add ____________ to supervise groups and divisions and further reduce his or her span of control. The person in charge of each __________ is designated as a Director.
Branches
Branch
What section collects, evaluates, displays incident intelligence and information and prepares and documents incident action plans and tracks resources assigned to the incident and maintains incident documentation and develops plans for demobilization.
Planning section
Under the planning section, what unit conducts all check-in activities and maintains the status of all incident resources and plays a significant role in preparing the written incident action plan?
Resources unit.
Under the planning section, what unit collects and analyzes information on the current situation, prepares situation displays and situation summaries, and develops maps and projections?
Situation unit.
Under the planning section, what unit provides duplications services, including the written incident action plan and maintains and archives all incident-related documentation?
Documentation unit.
Under the planning section, what unit assists in ensuring that resources are released from the incident in an orderly, safe, and cost-effective manner?
Demobilization unit
What section is responsible for ordering, obtaining, maintaining, and accounting for essential personnel, equipment and supplies and provides communication planning and resources and sets up food services for responders and sets up and maintains incident facilities and provides medical services to incident personnel?
Logistics section
The logistics section can be further staffed by _______ branches and ______ units. Remember that the logistics section provides ____________ incident personnel only.
2
6
Support
The logistics service branch can be staffed to include what 3 units?
- Communications unit
- Medical unit
- Food unit
Under the service branch, what unit prepares and implements the incident communications plan, distributes and maintains communication equipment, supervises the incident communications center, and establishes adequate communications over the incident?
Communications unit
Under the service branch, what unit develops the medical plan, provides first aid and light medical treatment for personnel assigned to the incident, and prepares procedures for a major medial emergency.
Medical unit.
Under the service branch, what unit supplies the food and portable water for all incident facilities and personnel, and obtains the necessary equipment and supplies to operate food service facilities at bases and camps?
Food unit.
The logistics support branch can be staffed to include what 3 units?
- Supply unit
- Facilities unit
- Ground support unit
Under the support branch, what unit determines the type and amount of supplies needed to support the incident. This unit orders, receives, stores, and distributes supplies, services, and no expendable equipment. All resource orders are placed through this unit. The unit maintains inventory and accountability of supplies and equipment.
Supply unit
Under the support branch, what unit sets up and maintains required facilities to support the incident. This unit provides managers for the incident base and camps. It also is responsible for facility security and facility maintenance services such as sanitation, lighting, and cleanup.
Facilities unit
Under the support branch, what unit prepares the transportation plan and arranges for, activities, and documents the fueling, maintenance, and repair of ground resources. It also arranges for the transportation of personnel, supplies, food, and equipment.
Ground support unit
What section is responsible for contract negotiation and monitoring, timekeeping, cost analysis, compensation for injury or damage to property, and documentation for reimbursement?
Finance/administration section
The finance/administration section can be further staffed with what four units?
- Procurement unit
- Time unit
- Cost unit
- Compensation/claims unit
Under the finance/administration section, what unit is responsible for administering all financial matters pertaining to vendor contracts, leases, and fiscal agreements?
Procurement unit
Under the finance/administration section, what unit is responsible for incident personnel time recording?
Time unit
Under the finance/administration section, what unit collects all cost data, performs cost effectiveness analyses, provides cost estimates, and makes cost savings recommendations?
Cost unit
Under the finance/administration section, what unit is responsible for the overall management and direction of all administrative matters pertaining to compensation for injury-related and claimed-related activities kept for the incident?
Compensation/claims unit
___________ ___________ applies ICS in incidents involving multiple jurisdictions or organizations and enables institutions and agencies with different legal, geographic, and functional responsibilities to coordinate, plan, and interact effectively.
Unified command.
How many operations sections are part of the unified command?
One
The _________ ___________ ___________ may be established to coordinate all incident related public information activities and serve as the central point of contact for all news media. When possible, the PIO’s from all participating agency should co-locate at this location.
Joint Information Center
After being mobilized to a major incident where ICS is in place, what is the first thing you should do?
Check in and receive an assignment.
What things should be included or discussed in the initial briefing?
- current assessment of the situation
- identification of your specific job responsibilities
- identification of coworkers
- location of work area
- identification of break areas
- procedural instructions for obtaining needed resources
- operational periods/work shifts
- required safety procedures and personal protective equipment.
What are some things to keep in mind during incident record keeping?
- enter dates by month/day/year format
- fill in all blanks to include N/A as appropriate.
- use military 24-hour time
The official responsible for administering policy for an agency or jurisdiction and usually makes the decision to establish an area command.
Agency administrator
A person assigned by a primary, assisting, or cooperating federal, state, tribal, or local government agency or private organization that has been delegated authority to make decisions affecting that agency’s or organizations participation in incident management activities following appropriate consultation with the leadership of that agency.
Agency representative
An organization established to oversee the management of multiple incidents that are each being handled by a separate ICS organization or to oversee the management of a very large or evolving incident that has multiple incident management teams engaged.
Area command
Title of subordinates of the command staff positions. They can also be assigned as unit leaders.
Assistant
An agency or organization providing personnel, services, or other resources to the agency with direct responsibility for incident management.
Assisting agency
The assignment of physical incident specific credentials to establish legitimacy and limit access to various incident sites
Badging
The organizational level having functional or geographical responsibility for major aspects of incident operations. It is situated between the section chief and the division or group in the operations section, and between the section and units in the logistics section. Are identified by the use of Roman numerals or by functional area.
Branch
Area that provides sleeping, food, water, and sanitary services to incident personnel.
Camp
The process of authoritatively arresting that individuals meet professional standards for the training, experience, and performance required for key incident management functions.
Certifying personnel
The orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident management organization.
Chain of command
The process through which resources first report to an incident.
Check in
The incident command system title for individuals responsible for management of functional sections.
Chief
The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
Command
The staff who report directly to the incident commander, including the PIO, safety officer, liaison officer, and other positions as required.
Command staff
An overview of an incident by all relevant parties that provides incident information enabling the incident commander/unified command and any supporting agencies and organizations to make effective, consistent, and timely decisions.
Common operating picture
Two or more individual incidents located in the same general area and assigned to a single incident commander or to unified command.
Complex
The authentication and verification of the certification and identity of designated incident managers and emergency responders.
Credentialing
A statement provided to the incident commander by the agency executive delegating authority and assigning responsibility.
Delegation of authority
The orderly, safe, and efficient return of an incident resource to its original location and status.
Demobilization
A fully qualified individual who, in the absence of a superior, could be delegated the authority to manage a functional operation or perform a specific task.
Deputy
The incident command system title for individuals responsible for supervision of a branch.
Director
The organizational level having responsibility for operations within a defined geographic area. Established with the number of resources exceeds the manageable span of control of the section chief.
Division
The physical location at which the coordination of information and resources to support incident management activities normally take place.
Emergency operations center.
An ongoing plan for responding to a wide variety of potential hazards.
Emergency operations plan
The ICS section responsible for all administrative and financial considerations surrounding the incident.
Finance/administration section
A group of incident management personnel organized according to function and reporting to the incident commander. Normally consists of the operation section chief, planning section chief, logistics section chief, and finance/administration section chief.
General staff
An organizational subdivision established to divide the incident management structure into functional areas of operation.
Group
An occurrence or event, natural or man made, that requires a response to protect life or property.
Incident
An oral or written plan containing general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident.
Incident action plan (IAP)
The ICS organizational element responsible for overall management of the incident and consisting of the incident commander (single or unified command) and any assigned supporting staff.
Incident command.
The individual responsible for all incident activities, including the development of strategies and tactics and the ordering and release of resources.
Incident commander
The field location where the primary functions are performed and may be co-located with the incident base or other incident facilities.
Incident command post (ICP)
A standardized on-scene emergency management construct specifically designed to provide for the adoption of an integrated organizational structure that reflects the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.
Incident command system (ICS)
The broad spectrum of activities and organizations providing effective and efficient operations, coordination, and support applied at all levels of government, utilizing both governmental and non governmental resources to plan for, respond to, and recover from an incident, regardless of cause, size, or complexity.
Incident management
Statements of guidance and direction needed to select appropriate strategies and the tactical direction of resources.
Incident objectives
An organizational subset with ICS which function is information that either leads to the detection, prevention, apprehensions and the prosecution of criminal activities, or the individual involved, including terrorist incidents or information that leads to determination of the cause of a given incident such as public health events or fires with unknown origins.
Intelligence/investigations
Ability of systems, personnel and equipment to provide and receive functionality, data, information and/or services to and from other systems, personnel, and equipment, between both public and private agencies, departments, and other organizations, in a manner enabling them to operate effectively together.
Interoperability
Checklist or other visual aid intended to ensure that specific steps of completing a task or assignment are accomplished.
Job aid
A structure that integrates incident information and public affairs into a cohesive organization designed to provide consistent, coordinated, accurate, accessible, timely, and complete information during crisis or incident operations.
Joint information system (JIS)
A range or sphere of authority.
Jurisdiction
A form of communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation.
Liaison
A member of the command staff responsible for coordinating with representatives from cooperating and assisting agencies or organizations.
Liaison officer
The process and procedure for providing resources and other services to support incident management.
Logistics
The ICS section responsible for providing facilities, services and materials for the incident.
Logistics section
A management approach that involves a five-step process for achieving the incident goal.
Management of objectives
Individual within an ICS organizational unit who is assigned specific managerial responsibilities.
Manager
The capabilities necessary to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.
Mitigation
The process and procedures used by all organizations-federal, state, tribal, and local-for activating, assembling, and transporting all resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident.
Mobilization
A group of administrators or executives, or their appointed representatives, who are typically authorized to commit agency resources and funds.
Multiagency coordination group (MAC)
A system that provides the architecture to support coordination for incident prioritization, critical resource allocation, communications systems integration, and information coordination.
Multiagency coordination systems (MAS)
An incident requiring action from multiple agencies that each have jurisdiction to manage certain aspects of an incident.
Multi-jurisdictional incident
Written or oral agreement between and among agencies/organizations and/or jurisdictions that provides a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services.
Mutual aid or assistance agreement
A set of principles that provides a systematic, proactive approach guiding government agencies at all levels, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life or property and harm to the environment.
National incident management system (NIMS)
An entity with an association that is based on interests of its members, individuals, or institutions. Such as faith based charity organizations and the American Red Cross.
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
The incident command system title for the person responsible for one of the command staff positions of safety, liaison, and public information.
Officer
The time scheduled for executing a given set of operation actions, as specified in the incident action plan. Operational periods can be of various lengths, although usually they last 12 to 24 hours.
Operational period
The ICS section responsible for all tactical incident operations and implementation of the IAP.
Operations section
Any association or group of persons with like objectives.
Organization
The ability to account for the location and welfare of incident personnel. It is accomplished when supervisors ensure that ICS principles and processes are functional and that personnel are working within established incident management guidelines.
Personnel accountability
A meeting held as needed before and throughout the duration of an incident to select specific strategies and tactics for incident control operations and for service and support planning.
Planning meeting
The ICS section responsible for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of operational information related to the incident, and for the preparation and documentation of the IAP.
Planning section
Actions taken to plan, organize, equip, train, and exercise to build and sustain the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from those threats that pose the greatest risk.
Preparedness
An organization that provides coordination for emergency management and incident response activities before a potential incident.
Preparedness organization
Processes, procedures, and systems for communicating timely, accurate, accessible information on the incidents cause, size, and current situation, resources committed, and other matters of general interest to the public, responders, and additional stakeholders.
Public information
A member of the command staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements.
Public information officer (PIO)
A system for identifying available resources at all jurisdictional levels to enable timely, efficient, and unimpeded access to resources needed to prepare for, respond to, or recover from an incident.
Resource management
A standardized, integrated process conducted prior to, during, and after a incident by all emergency management/response personnel and their associated organizations.
Resource tracking
Personnel and major items of equipment, supplies, and facilities available or potentially available for assignment to incident operations and for which status is maintained.
Resources
The capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after an incident has occurred.
Response
A member of the command staff responsible for monitoring incident operations and advising the incident commander on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety of emergency responder personnel.
Safety officer
The ICS organizational level having responsibility for a major functional area of incident management. It is organizationally situated between the branch and the incident command.
Section
An individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew/team of individuals with an identified work supervisor that can be used on an incident.
Single resource
Confirmed or verified information regarding the specific details relating to an incident.
Situation report
The number of resources for which a supervisor is responsible, usually expressed as the ratio of supervisors to individuals. (NIMS appropriate span of control is between 3-7 with 5 being optimal).
Span of control
Temporary location for available resources. Can be any location in which personnel, supplies, and equipment can be temporarily housed or parked while awaiting operational assignment.
Staging area
A set of instructions having the force of a directive, covering those features of operations which lend themselves to a definite or standardized procedure without loss of effectiveness.
Standard operating guidelines
A complete reference document or an operations manual that provides the purpose, authorities, duration, and details for the preferred method of performing a single function or a number of interrelated functions in a uniform manner.
Standard operating procedure (SOP)
The general plan or direction selected to accomplish incident objectives.
Strategy
A set number of resources of the same kind and type that have an established minimum number of personnel, common communications, and a leader.
Strike team
The ICS title for an individual responsible for a division or group.
Supervisor
The deployment and directing of resources on an incident to accomplish the objectives designated by strategy.
Tactics
An combination of resources assembled to support a specific mission or operational need.
Task force
Support provided to state, tribal, and local jurisdictions when they have the resources but lack the complete knowledge and skills needed to perform a required activity
Technical assistance
Person with special skills that can be used anywhere within the ICS organization.
Technical specialist
As defined in the homeland security act of 2002, activity that involves an act that is dangerous to human life or potentially destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources, is a violation of the criminal laws of the U.S. Or of any state or other subdivision of the U.S., and appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.
Terrorism
Natural or man made occurrence, individual, entity, or action that has or indicates the potential to harm life, information, operations, the environment, and/or property.
Threat
A standardized, integrated process conducted throughout the duration of an incident. This process provides incident managers with a clear picture of where resources are located, helps staff prepare to receive resources, protects the safety of personnel and security of supplies and equipment, and enables the coordination of movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Tracking and reporting resources
Referring to any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaskan native village that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the U.S. To Indians because of their status as Indians.
Tribal
An ICS resource classification that refers to capability.
Type
Version of command established when incidents under an area command are multi-jurisdictional.
Unified area command
An ICS application used when more than one agency has incident jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdictions.
Unified command (UC)
The organizational element with functional responsibility for a specific incident planning, logistics, or finance/administration activity.
Unit
The individual in charge of managing units within an ICS functional section.
Unit leader
An ICS principle stating that each individual involved in incident operations will be assigned to only one supervisor.
Unity of command
For purposes of NIMS, any individual accepted to perform services by the lead agency when individual performs services without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services performed.
Volunteer
The process and procedures used by all organizations-federal, state, tribal, and local-for activating, assembling, and transporting all resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident.
Mobilization
A group of administrators or executives, or their appointed representatives, who are typically authorized to commit agency resources and funds.
Multiagency coordination group (MAC)
A system that provides the architecture to support coordination for incident prioritization, critical resource allocation, communications systems integration, and information coordination.
Multiagency coordination systems (MAS)
An incident requiring action from multiple agencies that each have jurisdiction to manage certain aspects of an incident.
Multi-jurisdictional incident
Written or oral agreement between and among agencies/organizations and/or jurisdictions that provides a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services.
Mutual aid or assistance agreement
A set of principles that provides a systematic, proactive approach guiding government agencies at all levels, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life or property and harm to the environment.
National incident management system (NIMS)
An entity with an association that is based on interests of its members, individuals, or institutions. Such as faith based charity organizations and the American Red Cross.
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
The incident command system title for the person responsible for one of the command staff positions of safety, liaison, and public information.
Officer
The time scheduled for executing a given set of operation actions, as specified in the incident action plan. Operational periods can be of various lengths, although usually they last 12 to 24 hours.
Operational period
The ICS section responsible for all tactical incident operations and implementation of the IAP.
Operations section
Any association or group of persons with like objectives.
Organization
The ability to account for the location and welfare of incident personnel. It is accomplished when supervisors ensure that ICS principles and processes are functional and that personnel are working within established incident management guidelines.
Personnel accountability
A meeting held as needed before and throughout the duration of an incident to select specific strategies and tactics for incident control operations and for service and support planning.
Planning meeting
The ICS section responsible for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of operational information related to the incident, and for the preparation and documentation of the IAP.
Planning section
Actions taken to plan, organize, equip, train, and exercise to build and sustain the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from those threats that pose the greatest risk.
Preparedness
An organization that provides coordination for emergency management and incident response activities before a potential incident.
Preparedness organization
Processes, procedures, and systems for communicating timely, accurate, accessible information on the incidents cause, size, and current situation, resources committed, and other matters of general interest to the public, responders, and additional stakeholders.
Public information
A member of the command staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements.
Public information officer (PIO)
A system for identifying available resources at all jurisdictional levels to enable timely, efficient, and unimpeded access to resources needed to prepare for, respond to, or recover from an incident.
Resource management
A standardized, integrated process conducted prior to, during, and after a incident by all emergency management/response personnel and their associated organizations.
Resource tracking
Personnel and major items of equipment, supplies, and facilities available or potentially available for assignment to incident operations and for which status is maintained.
Resources
The capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after an incident has occurred.
Response
A member of the command staff responsible for monitoring incident operations and advising the incident commander on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety of emergency responder personnel.
Safety officer
The ICS organizational level having responsibility for a major functional area of incident management. It is organizationally situated between the branch and the incident command.
Section
An individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew/team of individuals with an identified work supervisor that can be used on an incident.
Single resource
Confirmed or verified information regarding the specific details relating to an incident.
Situation report
The number of resources for which a supervisor is responsible, usually expressed as the ratio of supervisors to individuals. (NIMS appropriate span of control is between 3-7 with 5 being optimal).
Span of control
Temporary location for available resources. Can be any location in which personnel, supplies, and equipment can be temporarily housed or parked while awaiting operational assignment.
Staging area
A set of instructions having the force of a directive, covering those features of operations which lend themselves to a definite or standardized procedure without loss of effectiveness.
Standard operating guidelines
A complete reference document or an operations manual that provides the purpose, authorities, duration, and details for the preferred method of performing a single function or a number of interrelated functions in a uniform manner.
Standard operating procedure (SOP)
The general plan or direction selected to accomplish incident objectives.
Strategy
A set number of resources of the same kind and type that have an established minimum number of personnel, common communications, and a leader.
Strike team
The ICS title for an individual responsible for a division or group.
Supervisor
The deployment and directing of resources on an incident to accomplish the objectives designated by strategy.
Tactics
An combination of resources assembled to support a specific mission or operational need.
Task force
Support provided to state, tribal, and local jurisdictions when they have the resources but lack the complete knowledge and skills needed to perform a required activity
Technical assistance
Person with special skills that can be used anywhere within the ICS organization.
Technical specialist
As defined in the homeland security act of 2002, activity that involves an act that is dangerous to human life or potentially destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources, is a violation of the criminal laws of the U.S. Or of any state or other subdivision of the U.S., and appears to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.
Terrorism
Natural or man made occurrence, individual, entity, or action that has or indicates the potential to harm life, information, operations, the environment, and/or property.
Threat
A standardized, integrated process conducted throughout the duration of an incident. This process provides incident managers with a clear picture of where resources are located, helps staff prepare to receive resources, protects the safety of personnel and security of supplies and equipment, and enables the coordination of movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Tracking and reporting resources
Referring to any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaskan native village that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the U.S. To Indians because of their status as Indians.
Tribal
An ICS resource classification that refers to capability.
Type
Version of command established when incidents under an area command are multi-jurisdictional.
Unified area command
An ICS application used when more than one agency has incident jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdictions.
Unified command (UC)
The organizational element with functional responsibility for a specific incident planning, logistics, or finance/administration activity.
Unit
The individual in charge of managing units within an ICS functional section.
Unit leader
An ICS principle stating that each individual involved in incident operations will be assigned to only one supervisor.
Unity of command
For purposes of NIMS, any individual accepted to perform services by the lead agency when individual performs services without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services performed.
Volunteer
