Lesson 1: ICS Overview

Question 1

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized approach to incident management that:

Answer 1

• Is used for all kinds of incidents by all types of organizations and at all levels of government; ICS is applicable to small incidents as well as large and complex ones.
• Can be used not only for emergencies, but also for planned events.
• Enables a coordinated response among various jurisdictions and agencies.
• Establishes common processes for incident-level planning and resource management.
• Allows for the integration of resources (such as facilities, equipment, personnel) within a common organizational structure.

Question 2

When is ICS used?

Answer 2

• manage any type of incident, including a planned event

- The use of ICS is applicable to all types of incidents, regardless of their size or cause.

Question 3

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Answer 3

• The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a systematic, proactive approach to guide all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. ICS is just one part of NIMS.

Question 4

3 Major Components of NIMS

Answer 4

• Resource Management
• Command and Coordination - including the Incident Command System
• Communications and Information Management

Question 5

ICS Standards

Answer 5

ICS helps ensure the integration of our response efforts. ICS allows all responders to adopt an integrated organizational structure that matches the complexities and demands of the incident while respecting agency and jurisdictional authorities

Question 6

NIMS communication standards

Answer 6

The goal of common terminology is to promote understanding among all parties involved in managing an incident. Radio codes, agency-specific codes, acronyms, or jargon should not be used.

Question 7

Action Plan

Answer 7

• Cover a specified timeframe
• Be proactive
• Specify the incident objectives.
• State the activities to be completed.
• Assign responsibilities.
• Identify needed resources.
• Specify communication protocols.

Question 8

Unified Command

Answer 8

No single commander

Question 9

Chain of Command(overall hierarchy of the organization)

Answer 9

• Allows an Incident Commander to direct and control the actions of all personnel on the incident.
• Avoids confusion by requiring that orders flow from supervisors.

Question 10

Unity of Command

Answer 10

-all individuals have a single designated supervisor they report to.

Question 11

Based on the principle of unity of command, you will:

Answer 11

• Report to only one Incident Command System (ICS) supervisor.
• Receive work assignments only from your ICS supervisor.

Question 12

Accountability Principles

Answer 12

1. Check-In/Check out
2. Incident Action Planning
3. Unity of Command
4. Span of control
5. Resource tracking

Question 13

Five Major ICS Functional Areas

Answer 13

Command

Operations

Planning

Logistics

Finance/Administration

Question 14

Intelligence/Investigations Function in ICS

Answer 14

established to collect, analyze, and disseminate incident-related information and intelligence for incidents involving intensive intelligence gathering and investigative activity (such as a criminal or terrorist act, or epidemiological, accident or mass fatality investigation).

Question 15

command

Answer 15

the act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.

Question 16

Incident Commander Responsibilities

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

Modular Organization

Answer 17

as incident grows and expands functional responsibilities are delegated

Question 18

Management by objectives:

Answer 18

• Establishing specific, measurable incident objectives.
• Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks and activities to achieve the objectives.
• Developing and issuing assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols to accomplish identified tasks.
• Documenting results for the incident objectives.

Question 19

Comprehensive Resource Management

Answer 19

• Resource Identification and Typing
• Qualification, Certification and Credentialing Personnel
• Planning for Resources
• Acquiring, Storing and Inventorying Resources

Question 20

Integrated Communications: development and use of a common communications plan and interoperable communication processes and systems that include voice and data links

Answer 20

• Maintain connectivity
• Achieve situational awareness
• Facilitate information sharing

Question 21

Information and Intelligence Management: gathered in a variety of sources

Answer 21

• 911 calls
• Radio, video and data communications among responders
• Situation Reports (SITREPS)
• Technical specialists from organizations such as the National Weather Service
• Reports from field observers
• Geospatial products, such as GIS, etc.
• Print, online, broadcast, and social media
• Risk assessments
• Terroristic or violent threats
• Surveillance of disease outbreaks
• Structural plans and vulnerabilities

Question 22

Incident Coordination -

Coordination involves the activities that ensure the onsite Incident Command System (ICS) organization receives the information, resources, and support needed to achieve those incident objectives.

Answer 22

• Establishing policy based on interactions with agency executives, other agencies, and stakeholders.
• Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information to support the establishment of shared situational awareness.
• Establishing priorities among incidents.
• Resolving critical resource issues.
• Facilitating logistics support and resource tracking.
• Synchronizing public information messages to ensure that everyone is speaking with one voice.

Question 23

Operations Section: Major Activities

Answer 23

• Implementing strategies and developing tactics to carry out the incident objectives
• Directing the management of all tactical activities on behalf of the Incident Commander
• Supporting the development of the Incident ActionPlan to ensure it accurately reflects current operations
• Organizing, assigning, and supervising the tactical response resources

Question 24

Planning: Major Activities

Answer 24

• Preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans
• Managing information and maintaining situational awareness for the incident
• Tracking resources assigned to the incident
• Maintaining incident documentation
• Developing plans for demobilization

Question 25

Logistics Section: Major Activities

Answer 25

• Ordering, obtaining, maintaining, and accounting for essential personnel, equipment, and supplies
• Providing communication planning and resources
• Setting up food services for responders
• Setting up and maintaining incident facilities
• Providing support transportation
• Providing medical services to incident personnel

Question 26

Finance/Administration: Major Activities

Answer 26

• Contract negotiation and monitoring
• Timekeeping
• Cost analysis
• Compensation for injury or damage to property
• Documentation for reimbursement (e.g., under mutual aid agreements and assistance agreements)