Disaster Management: An Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)

1986 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 145-148
Author(s):  
Ronald L. D'Acchioli
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
The State ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Valuable Lesson ◽  
Management Scheme

SUMMARYThe Incident Command System is a personnel and resource management scheme which has several interactive components which make it an effective plan.This system is being used effectively in the State of California for the control of large scale incidents on a daily basis. Dr. Rodney Herbert of London advised us not long ago, during his presentation of the “Moorgate Incident”, an event in which he participated, that a valuable lesson was learned as that catastrophe unfolded and was managed by local emergency services agencies. The lesson learned was that “special plans” for disaster management which sit on a shelf to collect dust while awaiting the event soon become of little use through inactivity. His message was that the protocols used by emergency services agencies for disaster management should merely be an extension of the day-to-day activities of that agency.

scholarly journals Beyond ICS: How Should We Govern Complex Disasters in the United States?

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Branda Nowell ◽  
Toddi Steelman
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Policy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Network Governance ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Complex Disasters ◽  
Private Actors

Abstract The complexity of large-scale disasters requires governance structures that can integrate numerous responders quickly under often chaotic conditions. Complex disasters – by definition – span multiple jurisdictions and activate numerous response functions carried out by numerous legally autonomous public, nonprofit, and private actors. The command operating structure of the Incident Command System (ICS) is a hierarchical structure used to manage complex incidents. Increasingly, complex disasters are seen as networks of multiple actors. Improving our capacity to respond to large-scale, complex disasters requires moving beyond the “hierarchy versus networks” debate to understand the conditions under which governance structures can best serve disaster response goals. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of the governance structures embedded in our national policy tools and frameworks can enhance our ability to govern effectively in networked contexts. In this article, we suggest the need to shift focus to build greater capacity for hybrid and network governance approaches, including a more sophisticated understanding of the conditions under which these governance forms are most effective.

scholarly journals Use of Incident Command System for Disaster Preparedness: A Model for an Emergency Department COVID-19 Response

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andra Farcas ◽  
Justine Ko ◽  
Jennifer Chan ◽  
Sanjeev Malik ◽  
Lisa Nono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Disaster Plan ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Optimal Coordination ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Operations Center

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on health systems, where hospitals have become overwhelmed with patients amidst limited resources. Disaster response and resource allocation during such crises present multiple challenges. A breakdown in communication and organization can lead to unnecessary disruptions and adverse events. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promotes the use of an incident command system (ICS) model during large-scale disasters, and we hope that an institutional disaster plan and ICS will help to mitigate these lapses. In this article, we describe the alignment of an emergency department (ED) specific Forward Command structure with the hospital ICS and address the challenges specific to the ED. Key components of this ICS include a hospital-wide incident command or Joint Operations Center (JOC) and an ED Forward Command. This type of structure leads to a shared mental model with division of responsibilities that allows institutional adaptations to changing environments and maintenance of specific roles for optimal coordination and communication. We present this as a model that can be applied to other hospital EDs around the country to help structure the response to the COVID-19 pandemic while remaining generalizable to other disaster situations.

scholarly journals Incident Command in the Time of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. e78-e82
Author(s):  
Jim Cook
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Previous Experience ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
The Future ◽  
Core Functionality

Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 virus was initially contained in China but rapidly spread across the globe. The grave threat was not apparent until it was already in our midst. Our organization implemented an Incident Command System (ICS), based on previous experience, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in a comprehensive and effective manner. This well-known management and response framework is used by many specialties and organizations in disasters of different complexity and size. Our ICS was able to assemble the appropriate people, assess the situation, and develop and implement plans to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. The effectiveness of the ICS structure and its execution was instrumental in getting in front of the virus and managing regional activities. The ICS is an effective tool to improve safety and mitigate risk when dealing with large-scale disasters and should be implemented and practiced before the need arises. Our organization implemented a formal Incident Command System (ICS) very early as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it recently disbanded, we are maintaining its core functionality and communication as we continue to deal with COVID-19 into the future. The author has observed the ICS being used at hospitals through hurricanes, blizzards, and riots but never saw it work as well as it did during the initial weeks of the pandemic. This group deftly navigated through uncharted waters by leveraging the spirit and structure of Incident Command.

Coordination of Multiple States and Federal Agencies

2019 ◽  
pp. 281-294
Author(s):  
Timothy Jones ◽  
Craig Hedberg
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Federal Agencies ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Sensitive Information ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Contaminated Food

Although most outbreaks are confined to a local jurisdiction, the number of multijurisdictional outbreaks (i.e., involving multiple geographic areas, widely distributed contaminated food or pharmaceutical products, or multiple government agencies) is increasing. In such cases, a clear and effective management system for the response must be established promptly. The roles and expectations of all involved responders should be clearly defined and closely monitored. Partners should be in regular communication throughout the response. Procedures and mechanisms for sharing of appropriate data and protecting sensitive information should be established from the onset of the investigation. Public communication about the investigation and response should be closely coordinated among agencies and preferably handled by a single spokesperson. Following the established procedures of the Incident Command System is often appropriate for large-scale or multijurisdictional outbreak responses.

Current Issues Regarding the Incident Command System in the Philippines

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miho Ohara ◽  
◽  
Hisaya Sawano
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Response System ◽  
Local Government Level ◽  
Government Level

The First Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Disaster Management Meeting established a framework for ASEAN-US cooperation on the Disaster Management Program in 2003, focusing on capability building for the Incident Command System (ICS). The ICS was then adopted as part of the on-scene disaster response system in the Republic of the Philippines as enacted by the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act in 2010. This study investigates the process of adopting the ICS, its current status, and future issues through interview surveys of local and national governments in the Philippines. After adopting and implementing of the ICS as the national disaster response system for the Philippines is investigated, the current status of the ICS at the local government level is surveyed in a flood-prone area of the Pampanga River basin in central Luzon. Results show that the ICS has been adopted on all levels of government – national, regional, provincial, municipal, and barangay, i.e., the country’s smallest administrative division. Each local government level has incorporated the ICS into its contingency plan. Several issues related to future disaster response planning and capacity building are then reviewed.

DEVELOPING THE STATE ON-SCENE COORDINATORS' COURSE FOR ALASKA

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 1019-1021
Author(s):  
Harry Young ◽  
Larry Dietrick ◽  
Arthur Pilot ◽  
Geoff Harben ◽  
Mark Burger
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
The State ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Response Training ◽  
Unified Command ◽  
Department Of Environmental Conservation ◽  
Synergistic Relationship

ABSTRACT Before the development of the state on-scene coordinators’ course, spill response training available to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation focused on technical aspects, safety, and the incident command system. To function in a unified command and carry out legislatively mandated tasks, a program was needed to instruct responders in the department's duties. As the course evolved, a synergistic relationship developed, which is redefining the response program.

RESOURCE TRACKING MANAGER: A DYNAMIC ELECTRONIC RESOURCE TRACKING AND MAPPING SYSTEM

2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 451-452
Author(s):  
Abram Calderon ◽  
Al Hielscher ◽  
John Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Resource Tracking ◽  
Electronic Resource ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Microsoft Access ◽  
Mapping System

ABSTRACT Tracking resources in real time during response situations has proven to be an integral part of decision making within an Incident Command System (ICS) structure. To help with this process, a new and portable product called Resource Tracking Manager (RTM) was designed and developed. This product is built from two off-the-shelf technologies, ESRI ArcView® and Microsoft Access®. This paper discusses the use of both products in the RTM and explains how bridging them together creates a system that is accurate, easy to use, and informative. The primary features of this tracking system include: 1) The ability to edit resources on a map and have these edits reflected in the database. 2) The ability to edit resources in the database and have edits reflected on the map. The development of RTM has important implications for resource management in a response scenario. Knowing where resources are, and allocating them efficiently and effectively is key in responding successfully.

Institutionalising community-based watershed management in India: elements of institutional sustainability

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.S. Saravanan
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Watershed Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
The State ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Institutional Sustainability ◽  
Institutional Solution

Community-based watershed management (CBWM) has gained prominence in developing world towards integrated resource management for livelihood enhancement of the poor, due to failure of large-scale river valley projects. This paradigm shift has enabled to narrow the divide between the state and community, and marks a beginning for the State towards a “learning organisation” that is adaptive to the changing social and environmental condition. The paper examines the role of State in institutionalising CBWM in three Indian states. It calls for the State to create an enabling institutional environment for coordination among institutions to emerge by devolving adequate responsibilities. This would offer opportunities for institutions to negotiate their concerns and build credibility for a long lasting institutional solution towards integrating resource management.

scholarly journals Health information and intelligence management: an experience from COVID-19 at Patan Hospital, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-68
Author(s):  
Ashis Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
External Communication ◽  
Care System

Health information and intelligence are important components of health care system. Moreover they are very crucial during disaster management. Collecting right information at right time and delivering it to right target at right time is important during disaster. During COVID-19, at Patan Hospital, the information management has been done through external communication officer who is a part of hospital incident command system.

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