ICS Functional Areas and Command Staff Roles Flashcards
What are the five major Incident Command System functional areas that are the foundation on which an incident management organization develops?
- Command
- Operations
- Planning
- Logistics
- Finance/Administration
What does ICS functional area Incident Command do?
Sets the incident objectives, strategies, and priorities, and has overall responsibility for the incident.
What does ICS functional area Operations do?
Conducts operations to reach the incident objectives. Establishes tactics and directs all operational resources.
What does ICS functional area Planning do?
Supports the incident action planning process by tracking resources, collecting/analyzing information, and maintaining documentation.
What does ICS functional area Logistics do?
Arranges for resources and needed services to support achievement of the incident objectives. Resources can include personnel, equipment, teams, supplies, and facilities.
What does ICS functional area Finance/Administration do?
Monitors costs related to the incident. Provides accounting, procurement, time recording and cost analysis.
What is a sixth ICS function identified in the NIMS?
Intelligence/Investigations or “I/I”.
Why might the Intelligence/Investigations function be established?
To collect, analyze, and disseminate incident-related information and intelligence for incidents involving intensive intelligence gathering and investigative activity
If the Intelligence/Investigations (I/I) function is required, where would the Incident Command (or Unified Command) place it in the Incident Command structure?
It may be placed in multiple locations, based on factors such as the nature of the incident, the level of I/I activity, and the relationship of I/I to other incident activities.
How does the National Incident Management System (NIMS) define command?
The act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
What is the only position that is always staffed in ICS applications?
Incident Commander
What are the responsibilities of the Incident Commander?
- Overall management of the incident.
- Ensuring overall incident safety.
- Providing information services to internal and external stakeholders, such as disaster survivors, agency executives, and senior officials.
- Establishing and maintaining liaisons with other agencies participating in the incident.
May the Incident Commander appoint deputies?
Yes. If a deputy is assigned, they should be fully qualified to assume the Incident Commander’s position.
The Incident Commander is responsible for all Incident Command System (ICS) functional areas until the Incident Commander delegates a function. True or False?
True. If a function is not staffed the Incident Commander assumes that function.
In the Incident Command System (ICS) the Command Staff may include what staff?
- Public Information Officer (interfaces with public and/or with other agencies media with incident-related information requirements).
- Safety Officer (monitors incident operations and advises the Incident Command on all matters related to safety, including the health and safety of the incident management personnel.
- Liaison Officer (servers as the Incident Commander’s point of contact for representatives of government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector organizations.
