Incident Command System (ICS)

In a disaster, many groups may need to work together: fire departments, hospitals, government agencies, and more. Most disasters start at a local level. However, limited resources and personnel may require bringing in partners at the community, state, and federal levels. Coordinating multiple agencies in disasters can be challenging. It’s like having too many cooks in the kitchen. Who is in charge? How do we communicate effectively? 

We learned a lot of difficult lessons after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Poor coordination led to delays, confusion, and miscommunication.
 

A failure to address these potential issues may result in inefficiency, redundancy, and confusion in deploying resources and personnel.

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a flexible and scalable framework that can be used in any scale of disaster planning, response, and recovery. 
The initial incident may prompt a hospital to implement a hospital ICS. As the incident grows, the ICS structure can expand regionally, statewide, and nationally. 

 
5 Main Functions of ICS
  1. Incident Command
  2. Operations
  3. Planning
  4. Logistics
  5. Finance/Administration

Within Incident Command, additional staff can be added that includes a public information officer, liaison officer and safety officer.

Incident Command
  • Incident Commander: Sets priorities and objectives. Assigns roles. 
  • Public Information Officer: Media briefings, digital communication, communication with public 
  • Liaison Officer: Point of contact for agencies and coordinates interagency efforts; Speaks on behalf of the incident commander 
  • Safety Officer: Identify and mitigate hazards; deliver safety briefings 
Operations Section Plans and performs activities towards accomplishing objectives
Planning Section Collects, evaluates, and processes data about the situation and resources; disseminates this information
Logistics Section Provides support that can include facilities, transportation, communication, supplies, food
Finance/Administration Section Track, analyze, and estimate costs; identify cost-saving actions
 
14 Main Features of ICS
Common Terminology Common terms around functions/functional units, resources, and facilities
Modular Organization The structure expands based on the size, complexity, and hazards of the disaster
Management by Objectives

Creates specific and measurable objectives

Identifies actions and tasks that achieve those objectives

Develops plans/procedures/protocols

Tracks results
Incident Action Plan Clear and concise communication of objectives that guides activities
Manageable Span of Control

Ensure efficiency and effectiveness

Management can communicate with and supervise all assets
Incident Facilities and Locations

Key places include:

  • Incident Command Post
  • Staging areas
  • Triage/Treatment/Transport area
Comprehensive Resource Management

Tracks:

  • Personnel/Teams
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Facilities
Integrated Communication A plan for how everyone communicates across agencies.
Establishment and Transfer of Command

The command function should be clearly established at the beginning of an incident. The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident designates the Incident Commander and the process for transferring command. 

Transfer of command may occur during the course of an incident. When command is transferred, the process should include a briefing that captures all essential information for continuing safe and effective operations. 
Unified Command

Establishes jointly agreed upon objectives in situations where there are multiple overlapping authorities or jurisdictions involved.
Chain of Command/Unity of Command Individuals report to one person. Note: it does not prevent informal communication and information sharing with other sections. 
Accountability Account for all response resources, including personnel, and adherence to all other ICS principles such as following the Incident Action Plan.
Deployment/Dispatch Resource deployment when requested by authorities.
Information/Intelligence Management Information gathered and shared through chain of command, including Essential Elements of Information (EEI).
 

Has ICS ever be activated in your organization? What is your role and responsibility in the Incident Command System?

 

Resources:

Written by Dennis Ren

Last updated: 11/10/2025

Previous Chapter Next Chapter