ICSUnwrapping the “Foreign” Language

of the Emergency Response Plan

• ICS stands for the INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM.

• It is a flexible management communication method.

• It can meet the needs of any situation.

What Is ICS?

ICS allows for common practices to be used by everyone

involved in the emergency.

Emergency Management

and Lesson Planning

Similarities

• Planning

• Organizing

• Directing

• Coordinating

• Controlling

Five Key Components of Management

• Determine a course of action

• Let everyone know the objectives

to be obtained

• Be proactive and think through any

evolving situation that could arise

ICS Planning

ICS Is Like TeachingPlanning the

Lesson

Teaching

Incident Command System

(ICS)

Planning

• Know the resources that are

available

• Place those resources in an

efficient order to be used

ICS Organizing

ICS Is Like TeachingPlanning the

Lesson Organizing Materials

Teaching

Incident Command System

(ICS)

PlanningOrganizing

• Give clear and concise direction to

implement the plan.

• Make certain that your direction is

understood.

ICS Directing

ICS Is Like TeachingPlanning the

Lesson Organizing Materials

Teaching

Incident Command System

(ICS)

Teaching theLesson

PlanningOrganizing

Directing

• Giving and receiving on-going information from/to subordinates about the implementation of the plan.

ICS Coordinating

• Command Personnel needs to know if:

1. the objective has been met 2. the objective can’t be met

3. there is a safety problem4. additional resources are needed

ICS Coordinating

ICS Is Like TeachingPlanning the

Lesson Organizing Materials

Teaching

Incident Command System

(ICS)

Teaching theLesson

Planning

Guided Practice

OrganizingDirecting

Coordinating

• Redirect resources as the situation dictates.

• Acquire additional resources as needed.

• Redirect as applicable.

ICS Controlling

ICS Is Like TeachingPlanning the

Lesson Organizing Materials

Teaching

Incident Command System

(ICS)

Teaching theLesson

Checking for Understanding

Planning

Guided Practice

OrganizingDirecting

Coordinating

Controlling

ICS Tools

What Is Needed For Effective Command and Control?

• Chain of Command

• Unity of Command

• Unified Command

• Span of Control

Key Tools for Effective Command and Control

• Chain of Command- Clear line of authority

• Unity of Command- Everyone has one and only one

supervisor

Key Tools for Effective Command and Control

• Unified Command- Allows interagency command

decision The District will never relinquish our responsibility to keep our students and staff safe.

• Span of Control- Supervisory positions have no more

than 5 – 7 subordinates

ICS Key People

ICS HasThree Fundamental

Components

• Command Staff

• General Staff

• Policy Group

Who Is the Command Staff?

Incident Commander (IC)Manages the incident

Liaison Public Information Safety

Assist with interactionsbetween IC and other

personnel from the District

Communicates information from the incident through the

District Office to the Public and Media

Assists the IC in maintaining the safety of all

students and staff

(Officer or Function)

Who Is the General Staff?

Operations Planning Logistics Finance

Coordinates operations and

support staff needed for the

emergency

Maintains data and assists analysis of changing nature of

situation or emergency

Provides resources

(Officer or Function)

Maintains records of expenses and pays accounts after incident

What Does It Look Like When ICS Works?