BCMSAR Incident Command -- Mar 2007

Understanding Incident Command System and how we fit into it

The question is not "Who is in charge?" but "How can all responders work together for the best results?"

The goal of an ICS is to enhance response efficiency by eliminating duplication of effort and lessening response time and consequently response costs. The best way to reduce confusion and conflict is to understand how the system works.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) was developed to provide a system that would help emergency managers and responders from different jurisdictions and disciplines work together more effectively to handle emergencies and disasters. Most incidents are handled on a daily basis by a single, local jurisdiction at the local level. But even for incidents that are relatively limited in scope, coordination and cooperation among the responding organizations makes for a more effective response.

The key to successful implementation of an ICS is understanding the system. When responders understand each other’s roles and responsibilities and have a plan for working together, they are more likely to be able to reach consensus on response strategies and tactics.

NIMS forms a standardized, unified framework for incident management within which government and private entities at all levels can work together effectively. The NIMS provides an organizational structure and standardized procedures. Under this system, the roles of different people working on the response, their lines of command, and the tasks each must complete are carefully specified.

All of our local agencies are required to take the NIMS training and to follow the procedures.  For this reason, BCMSAR needs to understand that when we show up for a callout, we are working under a system that has been developed at the national level and specific procedures are being followed by the Incident Commander.  The better we can fit into these procedures, the faster we will complete our job and the easier it will be.

ICS divides an emergency response into five manageable functions essential for emergency response operations: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance and Administration. There is only one Incident Commander. He is responsible for all aspects of the response.

An Incident Commander may designate Command Staff positions and may designate staff positions for the command staff or, if the incident is small, may choose not to staff the positions. Most of our callouts will probably be under an incident commander with none of the other staff positions filled.

On the next page I have drawn some organization charts showing what the organization could look like, how BCMSAR might fit in to it – and then how the system would look under an incident commander with no staff.

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