ICS... IMS... Flashcards
The incident management system is ___________, is also called_________, and is a component of ___________.
a command and control system used to manage fire and other emergencies,
incident command system,
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Eight fundementals of IMS
a. Common terminology
b. Modular Organization
c. Integrated communication
d. Unity of command
e. Consolidated IAPs
f. Manageable span of control
g. Designated incident facilities
h. Comprehensive resource management
Benefits of IMS
a. Organize/control/coordinate activates
b. Provide a means for decision-making
c. Affixes responsibility to one person
d. Flexible/adaptable – can be expanded or contracted to fit the needs of the incident
e. Controls communication system
f. Directs all personnel/efforts towards a common goal
Incident managment encompasses
a. Establishing command
b. Assessing incident priorities
c. Determining operation objectives
d. Developing and implementing the Incident Action Plan (IAP)
e. Developing an appropriate organizational structure
IMS coordinates efforts by
a. Establishing a chain of command
b. Delegating authority and responsibility
c. Limiting span of control
d. Preventing freelancing
Span of control defined
The number of units or personnel that one person can realistically and effectively supervise
a. Should be anywhere from 1:3 to 1:7, with 1:5 being optimum
b. Less than 1:3 = too many bosses and not enough workers
c. More than 1:7 = bosses spread too thin
Freelancing: what is it and why is it bad
a. Dangerous because their actions may not be related to IC’s plan of attack
b. Makes direct supervision difficult/impossible
c. Creates accountability problems
d. Creates safety problem
e. In the Charleston Super Sofa Store fire, all 9 firefighters that died were freelancing. It lead to a huge mess, where RIC members were finding bodies of firefighters they didn’t even know were on the scene at all. Situations like “Ma’am, your husbands dead.” “Oops! He wasn’t even at that fire!” and then “Oops…. We were right the first time…”
Developing an Incident Action Plan (IAP)
a. State objective (i.e. rescue and offensive attack)
b. Have a desired outcome (i.e. all victims out and fire extinguished)
c. Have a time frame (i.e. 5 minutes)
d. Have a plan B (i.e. If the fire is not under control in 10 minutes, transition to defensive operations)
Five major functions of ICS
Command Operations Planning Logistics Finance/Admin
What is commands purpose?
i. Completion of Incident priorities
1. Life safety
2. Incident stabilization
3. Property conservation
ii. Providing for the safety, accountability and welfare of on-scene personnel. This responsibility is ongoing through the duration of the incident
Eight functions of command
- Assume and name command and establish an effective operating position (command post)
- Perform size up
- Initiate, maintain, and control the communication process
- Identify the strategy and develop a plan of attack (IAP)
- Develop and effective incident command structure
- Assign resources
- Reevaluate plan of attack
- Provide for the continuation, transferring and termination of command
What are the incident benchmarks that Command uses?
- Primary Search ALL CLEAR – life safety benchmark achieved
- Fire UNDER CONTROL – incident stabilization benchmark achieved
- LOSS STOPPED – property conservation benchmark accomplished
What are some factors that ICS needs to conisider?
a. Life hazard risks
b. Location/fire
c. Construction
d. Height
e. Area
f. Structural collapse
g. Weather
h. Resource requirement
i. Fire protection systems
j. Topography
k. Explosions/backdraft
l. Time
Who takes command at a scene?
a. First officer on scene is responsible for assuming command at an emergency scene.
b. Any incident involving 3 or more units requires formal activation of the IMS (i.e. needs a battalion chief)
Types of command
a. Single command
i. Single jurisdiction/single agency
ii. Single jurisdiction/multi-agency – agencies that typically work together like TFD, TPD, SWG, and TEP
b. Unified command
i. Single jurisdiction/multi-agency, i.e. TFD, TAA (Tucson Airport Authority), DMAFB, TPD, SW Ambulance (in large events)((Like, say, a bomb being found at a scrap-yard…))
ii. Multi-jurisdictional
