The incident command system (ICS) is vital to safe and efficient operations. This is evidenced by the National Fire Academy’s recommendation that all departments use ICS as well as the 2003 Homeland Security Presidential Directive requiring the use of the National Incident Management System and, as part of that system, ICS.
There has been some resistance to working with ICS. Some folks in rural departments may think that ICS is only for large departments that handle large incidents, and does not apply to day-to-day rural operations. I disagree. ICS is applicable to every department and every situation. Why? Because it can be expanded or contracted as incident complexity changes.
Once adopted into fire department policy and/or standard operating guidelines (SOGs), ICS should be used on every incident. This is good training and will build confidence in your use of the system on more complex incidents.
Size & Scope
Let’s be clear about how to implement ICS. You do not need a command structure filling every position for every incident. On an assignment with a single engine or ambulance responding (or both), the first-arriving company officer may simply go into Investigative Mode, and his initial report would be “on scene investigating.” He may or may not establish himself as the incident commander (IC). With only one or two units, management of the scene is simple and no other command structure is needed. Essentially, the officer is using ICS at its most basic level, and setting the stage to expand the structure as necessary.
On a more complex incident (i.e., an MVA with multiple injuries or a fire attack), the first-in company officer may go into a Rescue Mode or Fast-Attack Mode. He would initially establish himself as the IC, as he would anticipate multiple units responding and, consequently, the need for a command structure. In this situation, the company officer is in a Mobile Command Mode and he will need to work with his crew to mitigate the incident. (Note: A mobile command is used because the officer must be a part of the operation and does not have the luxury of sitting at a command post.) This situation often happens when rural departments’ next-arriving units, whether from the same department or mutual-aid departments, have a long arrival time.
On an even larger incident (i.e., a commercial structure fire), the first-in company officer will go into Command Mode. He will be stationary at an incident command post (ICP), establish himself as the IC and begin organizing and assigning incoming resources.
A solid initial command structure and strategy are important for efficient mitigation of the incident. A common saying in the fire service: “What happens in the first few minutes of the incident affects what happens in the next few hours.” The IC will assign groups to perform various functions, such as fire attack, ventilation and water supply. He will also make division assignments to cover geographical areas of the incident. When a senior officer arrives on scene, the company officer may transfer command to the incoming officer and, with his crew, assume a role as part of a group or division.
ICS Benefits
Using ICS has numerous benefits:
- It allows you to expand the system (maintaining an effective span-of-control ratio) as the incident escalates or deescalates. It is modular in fashion to easily build or demobilize as needed. Tasks are added based on need.
- It provides a unified command structure when working with other agencies (i.e., mutual aid or law enforcement).
- It delegates responsibilities, freeing the IC to concentrate on the strategic goal and allowing group and division supervisors to oversee/manage the tactical aspects.
- It frees up radio traffic; a busy radio typically indicates a less-managed and chaotic scene.
- It allows for safety through proper span of control–three to seven being acceptable and five being optimum.
- It provides a system that supports effective personnel accountability. It provides a more structured system of PAR reporting by requiring the group/division supervisors to account for the members operating under their supervision and report back to command upon request, which is critical in rural operations.
- It provides common terminology for more effective communications.
- It encourages and confirms interoperability of communications equipment among responding agencies.
- It allows for good communications when personnel don’t have face-to-face contact on the scene.
In Sum
As with anything we do in the fire service, training is the key to a successful ICS operation. All department personnel, from firefighter to chief, must be versed in ICS procedures and terminology. Three common situations that lead to disaster on emergency scenes are poor incident command, poor communications and poor transition between phases of the incident. Practicing on the training ground and on all incident types will help prepare you for the day you’re faced with a complex incident that requires solid scene management to efficiently mitigate the incident and bring everyone home safe.
