MRC Incident Command

MRC Incident Command This Training Module Meets MRC Core Competency 3

Objectives • Describe the key concepts and principles underlying NIMS. • Identify the benefits of using ICS as the national incident management model. • Describe when it is appropriate to institute an Area Command. • Describe when it is appropriate to institute a Multiagency Coordination System. • Describe the benefits of using a Joint Information System (JIS) for public information. • Identify the ways in which NIMS affects preparedness. • Describe how NIMS affects how resources are managed. • Describe the advantages of common communication and information management systems. • Explain how NIMS influences technology and technology systems. • Describe the purpose of the NIMS Integration Center

MRC Incident Command Welcome to the MRC Incident Command Module. At the end of this training module, you will be directed to access the FEMA website to take the IS-700 course. Please click on the page to your right and print out the test questions. Pay close attention to the information written in red in the following slides as it will help you answer the questions on the test. Good Luck! Double Click on the Document above to open and print

What is NIMS? • A comprehensive, national approach to incident management • Applicable across jurisdictions and functions

Why Do We Need NIMS? Lessons learned have shown the need for: • A coordinated response. • Standardization. • Interoperability. HSPD-5 Addresses these Needs

NIMS Concepts and Principles NIMS is: • A Flexible framework that applies to all phases of incident management regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. • Standardized to improve overall response and interoperability.

NIMS Combines • Command and Management • Preparedness • Resource Management • Communications and Information Management • Supporting Technologies • Ongoing Management and Maintenance

COMMAND AND MANAGMENT Who is the “BOSS”? 3 organizational systems • Incident Command System (ICS) • Multiagency Coordination Systems • Public Information Systems

ICS • Proven (used over 30 years) on-scene, all-hazard concept based on organizational structures. • Creates an integrated series of command chains similar to an organizational chart for a business.

Incident Command System (ICS) Incident Commander Planning Chief Logistics Chief Admin/ Finance Chief Operations Chief

Basics Principles and Rules of the ICS • It uses common terminology. No policeman talk, no fireman talk, no doctor talk...just plain English.

Basic Principles and Rules of the ICS • Manageable Span of Control • Each Leader/supervisor is limited to 3 to 7 people under them (span of control). • 5 is recommended.

Basic Principles and Rules of the ICS Resources, including people and equipment, are given common designations to avoid confusion. Example: We are going to provide prophylaxis to the community to prevent the spread of this disease. (confusing term) Or We are going to give out pills to the community to prevent the spread of this disease. (simpler term) Common terminology helps reduce confusion between the day-to-day position occupied by an individual and his/her position at the incident.

Basic Principles (cont) Each level in the ICS has a distinct title. Incident Command Command Staff General Staff (Section) Branch Division/Group Unit Strike Team/Task Force Each position in the ICS has a distinct title. Incident Commander Officer Chief Director Supervisor Leader

Basic Principles (cont) • Incident Action Plans drive the response. • Depend on management by objectives to accomplish response tasks. • Are based on operational periods of about 12 hours length. • Are disseminated throughout the incident organization

Basic Principles (cont) • Hardware systems • Planning for use of all frequencies and resources • Procedures for transferring information internally and externally

Basic Principles (cont) • Accountability and responsibility are incorporated into the response through: • Orderly chain of command • Check-in for all responders • Assignment of only one supervisor per individual (unity of command)

Unified Command: When More Is Better Unified Command (Representatives From Local Jurisdictions) Finance/ Administration Logistics Planning Operations • Used when there is more than one responding agency with incident jurisdiction or more than one jurisdiction involved. • A hazardous materials spill into a reservoir or river would involve fire, public works, and public health = Unified Command

Area Command Area Command ICP 1 ICP 2 ICP 3 • Ideal for those situations involving large incidents that cover multiple jurisdictions, or…. • Management of multiple incidents with multiple command posts and multiple incident commanders. • Particularly relevant to public health because: • Not site specific • Not immediately identifiable • Geographically dispersed and evolve over time

Area Command Area Command Finance/ Administration Planning Logistics • Calls for a response coordinated by a higher jurisdiction (state vs local).. • There is no operations section because operations are conducted on-scene, where individual ICS are operating.

Multiagency Coordination Systems • High level resource management • A combination of resources • Used to coordinate and support incident management activities

Multiagency Coordination Systems • Support incident management policies and priorities • Facilitate logistics support and resource tracking • Make resource allocation decisions based on incident management priorities • Coordinate incident-related information • Coordinate interagency and intergovernmental issues regarding incident management policies, priorities, and strategies

Multiagency Coordination System Elements • EOC (Emergency Operations Centers) are local “unified” commands. Resources, planning, logistics can all take place at an EOC. • EOC’s may support multiagency coordination and joint information activities.

Public Information for Domestic Incidents • Advises Incident Commander (IC) on all public info matters. • The Public Information Officer (PIO) establishes and operates within the parameters established for the Joint Information System. • Joint Information System (JIS) = Plans, protocols, and structures used to provide information to the public.

The Joint Information Center (JIC) • Physical location where public information staff congregate = Information Central! • Where all the PIO’s go and the press during an emergency. • Each agency contributes to the overall message without losing their individual identities or responsibilities. In other words, they retain their organizational independence

The Joint Information Center (JIC) Joint Information Center Press Secretary (jurisdictional) Liaison (as required) Research Team Media Team Logistics Team • JIC’s can exist at various levels of government. • All JICs must communicate using established JIS protocols. • Vital to deliver consistent messages to the public.

What Is Preparedness? • Actions to establish and sustain prescribed levels of capability. • Responsibility of individual jurisdictions. • NIMs provides tools to help prepare. • National Level standards related to NIMS will be maintained and managed through the NIMS Integration Center.

Responsibilities of Preparedness Organizations • Establishing/coordinating plans and protocols • Establish guidelines and protocols for resource management. • Establishing response priorities • Establishing/maintaining multiagency coordination mechanisms

Types of Plans • Emergency Operations Plans • Procedures • Preparedness Plans • Corrective Action and Mitigation Plans (Based on lessons learned from actual incidents.)

Training and Exercises The NIMS Integration Center will: • Facilitate the definition of general training requirements and approved courses. • Review/approve discipline-specific training requirements. • Review and approve lists of emergency responder equipment.

Mutual Aid and EMACs • Mutual Aid Agreements and Emergency Management Assistance Compacts (EMACs) provides the means for one jurisdiction to to help another jurisdiction when the chips are down. • This ensures timely delivery of assistance during incidents.

What Is Resource Management? Four tasks: • Establishing systems • Activating the systems • Dispatching resources • Deactivating resources

Resource Management Concepts • Provides a uniform method if identifying, acquiring, allocating, and tracking resources • Classifying kinds and types of resources required to support incident management • Uses a credentialing system tied to uniform training and certification standards • Incorporates resources contributed by private sector • Resource typing involves categorizing resources by capability and performance

What Is Credentialing? NIMS credentialing insures: • Personnel possess adequate training and experience for given positions. • All training material is current. • NIMS ensures that all personnel possess a minimum level of training and capability by establishing certification and credentialing standards

Resource Managers Must: • Determine what material and how much is needed. • Determine where and when it is needed. • Determine who will be receiving it. • Submit requests for items through the EOC or through Multiagency Coordination Entity if the Incident commander cannot get it locally.

Resource Managers Must: • Use standard established procedures to track material continuously from mobilization through demobilization.

Communications and Information Management Principles: • Critical aspect of domestic incident management • NIMS sets the standards for communications and promotes interoperability. • NIMS creates a common operating picture that helps to ensure consistency between all who respond.

You are now ready to take the IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), Test. Click on the Link below and it will take you to the FEMA website. Scroll to the bottom of the page and go to where it says “Take Final Exam” and take the test using the answers you marked on the “Test Questions” that you printed out at the beginning of this module. Don’t forget to print a copy of your FEMA Certificate and give it to your MRC Coordinator. Good Luck! https://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/is700.asp

MRC Incident Command