Engineering the Incident Command and Multiagency Coordination Systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly S Stambler ◽  
Joseph A Barbera
Keyword(s):  
Implementation Process ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
National Incident Management System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Complex Development ◽  
Coordination System ◽  
Coordination Systems

The initial development of the Incident Command System (ICS) and the Multiagency Coordination System (MACS) was conducted through an extensive research, development, and application program initiated by the United States Forest Service in the 1970s and 1980s. Known as FIRESCOPE (Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies), the complex development process produced these two major management systems that are now central to the Department of Homeland Security’s National Incident Management System (NIMS). Despite the prominence of NIMS, very little information is widely available regarding the original research and development of ICS and MACS. This paper explores the extensive product development and consensus process used to create ICS and MACS, plus the implementation process that propagated these landmark systems that continue to expand in prominence for incident management and coordination during emergencies and disasters. Through analysis of historical documents and interviews with professionals centrally involved in FIRESCOPE, this paper chronicles the evolution of ICS and MACS, including a summary of their varied courses following the end of the original 10-year FIRESCOPE Program initiative.

Implementation and effectiveness of the National Incident Management System’s Incident Command System in law enforcement since 2003

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-417
Author(s):  
John K. Nichols, MS, LCC ◽  
Magdalena Denham, EdD
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
Initial Phase ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
National Incident Management System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Relevant Case ◽  
Open Question

This paper investigates the use of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)’s Incident Command System (ICS) in law enforcement since Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 was issued in 2003. It attempts to answer the following questions: (a) To what degree has law enforcement adopted the NIMS style ICS?; (b) To what degree has the NIMS/ICS framework been applicable to law enforcement?; and (c) Is the NIMS style ICS effective in the law enforcement response environment? The research includes a review of relevant case studies and literature and also includes the analysis of a survey instrument sent to 1,220 current and former law enforcement practitioners across the United States. The survey includes both open- and closed-ended questions. The data from closed-ended questions were compiled and displayed. Data from open-ended questions were grouped thematically. Responses were then assessed and compared with information gleaned from the literature review. Results indicate the system has been widely adopted by law enforcement, and its use is applicable and effective in some law enforcement responses. Its use in the highly chaotic initial phase of incidents, however, remains an open question.

Developing a Case-based Emergency Response System with Adaptive Case Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abobakr Y. Shahrah ◽  
Majed A. Al-Mashari
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
National Incident Management System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Emergency Response System ◽  
Response System ◽  
Case Based

AbstractThe emergency responses required during large-scale crises or disasters are extremely knowledge-intensive processes and are usually characterized by a high degree of unpredictability and unrepeatability. An emergency response is mission- and time-critical, unstructured, very dynamic, and it is very difficult to predefine or even to anticipate all possible response scenarios. Therefore, designing and implementing a software system to support such a response system is highly complicated and challenging. This research aims to investigate and discuss how Adaptive Case Management (ACM) can be leveraged in the design and implementation of a case-based emergency response system. In particular, this research considers the best practices of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which is an essential part of the National Response Framework (NRF) developed in the United States. As a proof-of-concept, a prototype demonstration has been carried out on a leading commercial ACM platform. In addition, a walkthrough scenario is discussed to elaborate how ACM can support emergency response activities in real settings using the Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure. The key benefit of this research is to guide the development and implementation of cased-based emergency response systems with a flexible and agile approach.

scholarly journals (A226) Establishing a Framework for Synchronizing Critical Decision Making with Information Analysis during a Health/Medical Emergency

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s61-s61 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Paturas ◽  
J. Pelazza ◽  
R. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Information Analysis ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
State And Local

BackgroundThe Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (YNH-CEPDR) has worked in the United States with state and local health and medical organizations to evaluate critical decision making activities and to develop decision making tools and protocols to enhance decision making in a time sensitive environment. YNH-CEPDR has also worked with international organizations and US federal agencies to support situational awareness activities in simulated and real world events.ObjectivesDuring this session YNH-CEPDR will share the best practices from recent events such as the H1N1 response and the Haiti Earthquake. Participants will be engaged in discussions regarding overall framework for successful information collection, analysis and dissemination to support decision making based on these experiences. This session will also incorporate concepts provided by the US National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS), specifically through the development of Situational Reports (SitReps), Incident Action Plans (IAP) and Job Action Sheets as methods to implement the framework and concepts discussed. Participants will be led through a series of scenario-based discussions to allow application of critical decision making factors to their organization. At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to identify next steps for enhancing the synchronization of critical decision making and information analysis within their organizations.

ICS: Can it Be a National Incident Management System?1

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 1179-1183
Author(s):  
Duane Michael Smith
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Command And Control ◽  
Fire Service ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
National Incident Management System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
National Model ◽  
System 1 ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT There are likely few that would argue with the proposal that a national incident management system would be of benefit. Numerous articles have been put forward over time, both for and against the adoption of an incident command system (ICS) as the model for a national incident management system. Those in favor of its adoption point out to its many successes, from major wildfires to the 2002 Olympics. Many seem to view ICS as simply another way of expressing the term command and control. In reality, ICS is not another way to say command and control; rather it is a specific of command and control system. The question then is whether ICS, and in particular the National Inter-agency Incident Management System – Incident Command System (NIIMS-ICS) is the model upon which this national system should be based. Most of the studies and papers regarding the use and adoption of ICS have focused on its use within the fire service community. This may be somewhat intuitive, given the origins of the system; however, if we are to truly gauge the applicability of this system to all risks, we must begin to exam it in those other events. It was a series of disasters that led to the development of the initial ICS system. It has been a subsequent series of disasters or national emergencies that have led to the continued evolution of ICS toward a national model. The question now before us is whether we need another disaster to take that final step to a truly national incident management system or are we willing to go there now. In this time of heightened national security we owe it to ourselves to have the best incident management system in the world.

Disaster Management and Response Strategy in Urban Public Safety of the U.S.A

2011 ◽  
Vol 467-469 ◽  
pp. 7-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mao Sheng Ye ◽  
Qin Xian Jin ◽  
Yu Tian Wang
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Industrial Accidents ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
National Incident Management System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Urban Public Safety ◽  
National Preparedness

This presentation is intended to provide response managers and others with an understanding of national preparedness and response system that is in place to address emergencies involving industrial accidents, natural disasters, public health and social securities. This paper describes a list of important competencies that have been identified and used for effective disaster response and the management and response procedures of a typical incident in USA, taking 2008 flood in Illinois as an instance. Using the concept of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS), Incident Management Teams (IMTs) were trained and established in Illinois. These organizations were deployed into various positions so as to assist the governmental organizations at different levels in planning, commanding, decision making, etc.

NIMS AND THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gil Jamieson
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
Management System ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Department Of Homeland Security ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
National Incident Management System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
The Impact

The way this nation prepares for and responds to domestic incidents is about to change. It won't be an abrupt change; best practices that have been developed over the years are part of this new comprehensive national approach to incident management known as the National Incident Management System (NIMS). But it will change—and for the better. Developed by the Department of Homeland Security and issued in March 2004, the NIMS will enable responders at all jurisdictional levels and across all disciplines to work together more effectively and efficiently. Beginning in FY 2006, federal funding for state, local and tribal preparedness grants will be tied to compliance with the NIMS. One of the most important ‘best practices’ that has been incorporated into the NIMS is the Incident Command System (ICS), a standard, on-scene, all-hazards incident management system already in use by firefighters, hazardous materials teams, rescuers and emergency medical teams. The ICS has been established by the NIMS as the standardized incident organizational structure for the management of all incidents. Although many agencies now use various forms of ICS, there is considerable uncertainty about NIMS ICS and the impact it will have on systems and processes currently in place. These are important questions because one of the FY 2005 requirements for implementing NIMS is “institutionalizing the use of ICS, across the entire response system.” This paper is intended to provide an historical perspective on the development of ICS, explain how NIMS ICS works, describe how it is different from previous systems, and discuss the future of NIMS ICS training.

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