Question

What is the incident command system (ICS)? How does it work and why is it a good basis for National Incident Management System in USA

Answer 1

Incident command system - Incident command system refers to the management system designed to enable effective and efficient domestic incidence management services by integrating combination of equipments, facilities,personnel, procedure and communication operating within a common organisation structure.It normally facilitates its activities in five areas that includes command, operation, planning, logistics, intelligence and investigation.

It is a standardized hierarchical structure that allows for a cooperative response by multiple agencies both inside and outside government in order to coordinate and organize response activities without compromising the local decision making authority

The role of Incident command system includes

• Use of common terminology.
• integrating communication area
• creating unified command.
• planning.
• coordinating resource management and allocation.

ICS functions are performed in a facility known as command center by which emergency management system are conducted. It function includes assigning a single coordinator in order to manage response activities by assigning personnel, deploying equipment, obtaining additional resources, coordinating with partners if required. The incident commander delegates emergency management responsibility as needed and thereby maintain neccessary focus on the overall picture of disaster situation.

Incident command system serves as a good basis for National incident management system as it provides a flexible yet standardized core mechanism for coordinated and collaborated incident management system for incidents where additional resources are required or provided from different organization within single juridiction for coplex incidents with national implication.It is designed to enable effective, efficient incident management by integrating a combination of facility, it represent organisation best practices and as an element of command and management component of NIMS it has become the standard for emergency management across the country. ICS is flexible to meet the following

• Meet the needs of incident of any kind or size.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to operational staff.
• Cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts.
• Allow personnel from variety of agencies to meld rapidly into the common management structure.