Introduction to the

Incident Command System

(ICS)

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 Background

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 Background
• Different disasters and threats have
always been surrounding the lives of the
Filipinos:
– Natural disasters
– Human-induced disasters
– Climate change
• These disasters necessitate an effective
and efficient response management
system.
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 Background
Examples of past disasters:
DISASTER DATE
ULTRA or February 2006
WOWOWEE incident
Tropical Storm Sept 2009
“Ondoy”
Quirino Grandstand August 2010
Hostage Taking
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 ULTRA or WOWOWEE incident ~
February 2006
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 Tropical Storm “Ondoy”
~ Sept 2009
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 Quirino Grandstand Hostage Taking
~ August 2010
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 Lessons from Past Disasters

• Lack of reliable incident information

• Inadequate communications
• Too many people reporting to one supervisor
• Too many responders
• Too many emergency response organization
structures

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 Lessons from Past Disasters

• No check-in procedures for responders

• Lack of structure for coordinated planning
between agencies
• Unclear lines of authority
• Terminology differences between agencies
• Unclear or unspecified incident objectives

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 Lessons from Past Disasters

• Lack of clarity on who is in charge

• Confusion arising from catastrophic
incidents
• Political interventions

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 Institutionalization
of ICS

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 NDRRMC Memorandum Circular
No. 4

• Signed by C, NDRRMC / Secretary, DND

last March 28, 2012
• Authorizes the use of ICS as an On-Scene
Disaster Response and Management
Mechanism under the Philippine DRRM
System

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 Executive Order No. 82
• Signed by President Benigno Aquino III
• Section 4D: “As soon as an incident is
declared as approaching crisis level, the
responding Crisis Manager activates the
Incident Command System (ICS) and calls
on the designated Incident Commander
(IC)...”

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 What is ICS?

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 What is an incident?
An incident is . . .
. . . an occurrence, caused
by either human or natural
phenomena, that requires
response actions to
prevent or minimize loss
of life, or damage to
property and the
environment.
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 What is ICS?

• A standard, on-scene, all-

hazard incident
management concept that
can be used by all
DRRMCs member
agencies and response
groups

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 What is ICS?

• It allows its users to adopt an

integrated organizational
structure to match the
complexities and demands of
single or multiple incident
without being hindered by
agency or jurisdictional
boundaries.

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 Purpose of ICS

The purpose of ICS is to help to ensure:

• The safety of responders and others.
• The achievement of tactical objectives.
• The efficient use of resources.

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 Benefits of ICS

• Meets the needs of

incidents of any kind
or size
• Allows personnel from
a variety of agencies to
meld rapidly into a
common management
structure

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 Benefits of ICS

• Provides accountability
and a planning process
• Provides logistical and
administrative support
to operational staff
• Is cost effective by
avoiding duplication of
efforts
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 Incidents/Events managed by ICS

• Natural disasters:
typhoons, floods,
tornadoes, earthquakes,
volcanic eruption, tsunami
• Human and animal
disease outbreaks • Search and rescue
operations
• Hazardous materials
incidents
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 Incidents/Events managed by ICS

•Distribution of
humanitarian assistance
•Planned events - fiestas,
parades, sport events,
conferences, concerts, etc.

• Terrorist incidents
• Hostage-Taking
• Car accidents
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 Countries using ICS

Fully Implemented:
• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Mexico

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 Countries using ICS
(In Transition)

South Asia ASEAN Africa Latin

America
Bhutan Indonesia Ethiopia Many
India Philippines Ghana countries
Sri Lanka Thailand
Brunei
Darussalam

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 Principles and
Features of ICS

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 Principles and Features of ICS

1. Primary ICS Management Functions

2. Management by Objectives
3. Unity of Command and Chain of
Command
4. Organizational Flexibility
5. Span of Control

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 Principles and Features of ICS

6. Common Terminology
7. Accountability
8. Integrated Communications
9. Resources Management
10.Use of Incident Action Plan and Forms

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1
Primary
Management
Functions

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 Primary ICS Management
Functions
FUNCTIONS DESCRIPTION
Command Overall responsibility
Operations Direct tactical actions
Planning Collect data, prepare
action plan
Logistics Provide logistical
support
Finance/ Procure resources,
Administration maintain accountability
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2
Management
by Objectives

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 Management by Objectives
- an approach that is
communicated to the GOAL

entire ICS organization.

4. PERFORM
TACTICAL DIRECTION

3. SELECT APPROPRIATE
STRATEGY

2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

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36
 Understand Policy and Direction

Understand the legal

Goal
mandate / orders /
directives of Responsible
Official (person in charge) in
affected area.

1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION

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 Establish Incident Objectives
Establish SMART objectives
Goal
Examples:
• Search all structures for
casualties by
1400H.
• Clear all roads with debris
in six (6) hours.
2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION

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 Select Appropriate Strategy
Strategy describes the general
method/s that should be used
either singly or in combination Goal

Example:
Objective: Clear all roads from
debris in 6 hours
3. SELECT APPROPRIATE
Strategy #1: Use heavy STRATEGY
equipment

Strategy #2: Mobilize all 2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

volunteers

1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION

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 Perform Tactical Direction
Tactical direction describes
the specific action that must
be accomplished within the Goal
selected strategy
4. PERFORM
TACTICAL
Example: DIRECTION
Objective: Clear all roads
from debris in 6 hours 3. SELECT APPROPRIATE
STRATEGY
Strategy: Mobilize all the
volunteers
Tactics: Equip 50 2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES
volunteers
with shovels in the area.
1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION
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3
Unity of Command
and
Chain of Command

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 Unity of Command and Chain of
Command
UNITY OF COMMAND
• Establishes a clear line of supervision, every
individual has a designated supervisor

CHAIN OF COMMAND
• Orderly ranking of management positions in line of
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authority
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4
Organizational
Flexibility

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 Organizational Flexibility
• ICS organization is flexible and modular
• Organization develops in a top-down fashion,
beginning with the Incident Commander (IC)
• IC establishes the organization based on
incident size, complexity, & specific hazards
• “Form follows function”, (only functions/
positions necessary for the incident will be
filled or activated)

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5
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Span of Control

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 Span of Control
ICS span of control for any supervisor:
• Is between 3 to 7 subordinates
• Optimally does not exceed 5 subordinates.

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 Span of Control

INEFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE
AND SPAN OF CONTROL
POSSIBLY
DANGEROUS

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 Span of Control

IMPORTANT: Do not combine functions for

one organizational unit

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6
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Common
Terminology

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 Common Terminology

The use of common terminology applies to:

a. Organizational Elements
– All ICS major functions and functional
units are named and defined.
Terminology for each organizational
element is standard consistent.

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 Common Terminology
b. Resource Descriptions
- Major resources personnel, major
equipment, and supply items are given
common names and are listed by type
and kind with respect to their capabilities.
c. Incident Facilities
- Facilities used during the response are
named according to common terminology.

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 Common Terminology

d. Position Titles
– All ICS managers and supervisors are
referred to by standardized ICS titles
such as Officer, Chief, Supervisor or
Leader.

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 Common Terminology
All ICS communications should use clear text
(that is, plain language). Do not use radio
codes, agency-specific codes, acronyms, or
other jargon.

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 Common Terminology
The following examples demonstrate the difference
between jargon and clear text:

Jargon: “Railroad Street Command for Engine 44, you’re 10-1.”

Clear Text: “Railroad Street Command from Engine 44, you are
unreadable.”

Jargon: “OPSEC from Div. A, I have you 10-4.”

Clear Text: “Operations Section Chief Ramos from Division Alpha.
You are coming in clear.”

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7
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Accountability

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 Accountability

Check-in – All responders,

regardless of agency
affiliation, must check-in to
the incident and receive an
assignment, following the
procedures established by the
IC.

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 Accountability

Incident Action Plan-

Response operations must be
directed and coordinated as
outlined in the IAP.

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 Accountability

Unity of command – Each

individual involved in incident
operations is assigned to only
one supervisor.

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 Accountability

Span of control –
Supervisors must be able to
effectively manage their
subordinates and the
resources

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 Accountability
Resource Tracking - supervisors must
record and report resource status changes
as they occur.

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8
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Integrated
Communications

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 Integrated Communications

Integrated communications are facilitated

through:
• Development and use of a common
communications plan.
• Interoperability of communication
equipment, procedures, and systems.

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 Integrated Communications

Communications networks that may be required:

a. Command Net
b. Tactical Nets
c. Support Nets
d. Ground-to-Air
e. Air-to-Air

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9
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Resource
Management

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 Resource Management

What is a Resource?
A Resource is any personnel, team,
equipment, aircraft, supplies and
facilities available to support
management and response activities.

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 Resource Management

• Resource Management includes processes for:

– Categorizing
– Ordering
– Dispatching
– Tracking
– Recovering
– Reimbursing resources (as appropriate)
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 10 Incident Action Plan and
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ICS Forms
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 Incident Action Plan

• Used to communicate response goals,

operational objectives and support
activities throughout the ICS organization.
• Developed for each operational period
(typically 12 to 24 hours) to provide all
incoming supervisory personnel with
appropriate direction.
• May be oral or written.
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 ICS Forms and Tools

• ICS has a variety of tools,

including forms, to help
standardize procedures
and documentation

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 Who is in-charge?
The Responsible Official and the
Incident Commander

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 Responsible Official
• Chairs the DRRMC (Governor,
Mayor, etc)
• Provides overall policy direction
and strategic objectives
• Ensures availability of
resources
• Serves as link to higher
authorities
• Delegates authority to IC
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 Incident Commander
• Takes policy direction from
Responsible Official
• Establishes incident objectives
• Provides overall leadership for
on- scene response operations
• Ensures incident safety
• Maintains liaison with
participating response agencies
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 Responsible Official and Incident
Commander

 Delegates authority  Receives policy direction

 Provides policy,  Establishes objectives
mission and  Leads in managing the incident
strategic direction  Keeps the Responsible Official
informed
The chain of command between the Incident Commander
and Responsible OfficialOCDmust
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 Command vs
Coordination

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 Command vs Coordination

• Command – Incident Commander commands

on-scene operations and reports to
Responsible Official

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 Command vs Coordination
Coordination - Responsible Official, through
the DRRMC and EOC, coordinates with
other agencies for the following:
o Making policy decisions
o Establishing priorities
o Resolving critical resource issues
o Mobilizing and tracking resources
o Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating
information
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 ICS Organization

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 ICS Organization

Incident
Incident
Commander
Commander

Public Information Officer

Public Information Officer

Liaison
LiaisonOfficer
Officer

Safety
SafetyOfficer
Officer

Finance/
Finance/
Operations
Operations Planning
Planning Logistics
Logistics Administration
Administration

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 Command Staff
• The Incident Commander may designate a
Command Staff who:
– Provide information, liaison, and safety
services for the entire organization.
– Report directly to Incident Commander.
Incident
Incident
Commander
Commander

Public
Public Information
Information
Officer
Officer

Liaison
Liaison Command
Officer
Officer
Staff
Safety
Safety
Officer
Officer
 General Staff
• As the incident expands in complexity, the
Incident Commander may add General
Staff Sections to maintain span of control.
Incident
Incident
Commander
Commander
Public
Public Information
Information
Officer
Officer

Liaison
Liaison Command
Officer
Officer
Staff
Safety
Safety
Officer
Officer

Operations
Operations Planning
Planning Logistics
Logistics Finance/Admin
Finance/Admin
General
Section
Section Section
Section Section
Section Section
Section
Staff
 Who does what?
Incident Commander: Finance/Admin: Monitors
Overall responsibility for incident costs and
the incident. Sets provides fiscal guidance.
objectives. Incident
Incident Procures needed resources
Commander
Commander

Operations
Operations Planning
Planning Logistics
Logistics Finance/Admin
Finance/Admin
Section
Section Section
Section Section
Section Section
Section

Operations: Planning: Logistics: Provides

Develops tactical Develops Incident Action resources and all
organization and directs Plan to accomplish other services needed
all resources to carry out objectives. Maintains to support the
the Incident Action Plan resource & situation incident
status
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 Incident Complexity and
Resource Needs
Incident Resource Needs ICS Structure
Complexity

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 Large Disaster:
All Units Activated
Incident
Incident Commander
Commander

Public
Public Information
Information Liaison
Liaison
Officer
Officer Officer
Officer

Safety
Safety
Officer
Officer

Finance/Admin.
Finance/Admin.
Operations
Operations Section
Section Planning
Planning Section
Section Logistics
Logistics Section
Section Section
Section

Resources
Resources Demob.
Demob. Service
Service Support
Support Time
Time Compensation
Compensation
Unit
Unit Unit
Unit Branch
Branch Branch
Branch Unit
Unit Claims
Claims Unit
Unit
Air
Air Ops
Ops
Branches
Branches Branch
Branch
Situation
Situation Doc.
Doc. Procurement
Procurement Cost
Cost
Unit
Unit Unit
Unit Commun.
Commun. Supply
Supply Unit
Unit Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit Unit
Unit
Divisions
Divisions Groups
Groups
Medical
Medical Facilities
Facilities
Unit
Unit Unit
Unit
Strike
Strike Team
Team
Ground
Ground
Food
Food
Task
Task Force
Force Support
Support
Unit
Unit Unit
Unit
Single
Single Resource
Resource
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 ICS Facilities
 Incident Command Post

 Base B
 Camps C
 Staging areas S
 Helibase H
 Helispots H-3
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 INCIDENT COMMAND POST

- Where the Incident Commander

establishes command.
- Position within the view of the incident,

yet outside the area of present or

potential hazards.
- Has the capability to expand.
- Identified by all responders.
Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte
 Staging
S Area
Refers to a pre – designated place where resources are
kept or assembled while awaiting incident assignment.
H
HELIBASE
94
H-3 HELISPOTS

95
 As First Responders…
• Act as the Incident Commander
• Set up the organization based on the
complexity of the disaster
• Manage the team using a set of objectives
• Account all the resources
• Prioritize the safety of the team
• Transfer the Command to the upcoming
Incident Commander
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 As Rescuers…
• Know the policy guidelines of the
Responsible Official
• Coordinate with the Incident Commander
• Account all resources
• Receive assignment
• Stick to the Incident Action Plan
• Report to the Operations Section Chief/
Incident Commander
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 Session Objectives
Upon completion of this session, the participants
will be able to:
1. Explain Incident Command System (ICS) as
a vital tool for on-scene disaster
management; and
2. Explain the background of ICS, its basic
concepts, principles and features for effective
disaster response

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 QUESTIONS???

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