Posted by
The Incident Command System (ICS) is only Applicable to Large, Complex Incidents is false
Incident Command System
It is the Incident Command System (ICS) is a standard on-site management system that is designed to facilitate efficient, effective incident management, combining an array of equipment, facilities personnel, procedures and communications within a common structure.
The ICS can be utilized to handle an emergency or non-emergency incident, and is employed for both large and small scenarios.
The ICS is an organizational system that is used by fire departments, governmental agencies and police forces to respond to emergencies. It is mostly used as a field response method, however it is also adapted for use within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). It was developed by the fire department in the year 1971, it offers guidelines for common operating procedures for multi-agency agencies terms, communication, and management. The modular structure of the ICS permits for an efficient and coordinated responses to emergencies of every kind and degree of the degree of complexity.
Because of the increasing interdependence among response organizations of business, industry and governmental agencies, use of ICS by both industries and businesses is becoming more common, particularly considering the standards mentioned above. emergency response teams (ERTs) could already be mandated through law or an industry standards to use the ICS system. If the requirements of your organization do not warrant the use of an ERT. The business owners and managers (including the recovery coordinators) must know about the procedures and protocols. Including ICS which are utilized by local authorities to handle emergencies on their location.
Complex Incidents
ICS is an instrument that is heavily based on the idea of Management By Objectives (MBO). The objectives for responding are established for the responder who is the top senior. And transferred to subordinate positions once they have agreed that the goals will be achieved. A senior response officer is identified as an incident commander. With this method the incident commander is able to oversee the response to complicated technical. And technical emergencies and without unreasonable demands.
ICS is in addition sensitive to the basic theory of managing called the span of control which reduces the number of subordinates. When the problem is not too significant and the solution is easy. The ratio will be eight subordinates for one manager. If the crisis grows and becomes more complicated the span of control is reduced. To allow for the most efficient management. Many believe that the span that a leader can control during an emergency is five or less subordinates.
ICS is split into five functional units. The fire service unit can be expanded to 36 positions. However, the majority aren’t relevant to business responses. The five sections (called section) are according to:
- Incident command
- Operations
- Intelligence and planning
- Logistics
- Finance and administration
For minor events, it’s not required to create each section within the ICS. In this scenario the commander of an incident (see below) is the person. Who will direct or take over the duties of the respective sections or activate the sections when more personnel arrive. The operational need is the main reason for determining which section will be being activated. 2 Each section is led by a section head and could be further divided into sub-sections based on the severity of the event or the need to ensure the proper scope that is under the control. 3