Incident Command System:

An Overview
 Objectives
Describe Incident Command System (ICS) and
how it can be applied;
Define roles and responsibilities of Senior
Officials
Describe ICS organization and responsibilities of
Command and General Staffs; and
Describe differences between on-scene ICS
activities and activities that are accomplished
by Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Councils (DRRMCs).
 Background
The Filipinos has always lived in harms way
from natural hazards because of the countrys
geography and geology.

In addition, there are other emerging

hazards that Filipinos have to contend with
such as climate change, pandemic situations
and acts of terrorism that require effective
and efficient response management system.
 Background (Contd)
The lessons of past disaster events have also
manifested the inadequacy and/or lack of an
effective on-scene management of emergency
operations and confirmed the gaps, i.e., the
absence of an Incident Commander at the
inception of the incident; no ICP and poor
crowd control and media management.
Legal Basis and Institutionalization

- Sec. 9 (g), RA 10121- To formulate standard

operating procedures for coordination before
and after disasters at all levels.
- Rule 7 (h), IRR, RA 10121 - OCD shall
establish the Incident Command System (ICS)
as part of the countrys on-scene disaster
response system to ensure the effective
consequence management of disasters or
emergencies.
Legal Basis and Institutionalization

- NDRRMC MC No. 4 dtd March 28, 2012 - Use

of Incident Command System (ICS) as an On-
Scene Disaster Response and Management
Mechanism under the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management System
(PDRRMS)
- Sec. 4 (d), EO No. 82 dtd September 4, 2012 -
As soon as an incident is declared as
approaching crisis level, the responding Crisis
Manager activates the ICS.
 What Is an Incident?
An incident is . . .
. . . an occurrence
or event, natural
or manmade, that requires
a response to protect life
or property.
 What is ICS?
Standardized, on-scene, all-hazards
incident management concept.
Integrated organizational structure that
can match the complexities and demands
of single or multiple incidents without
being hindered by jurisdictional
boundaries.
Used on daily basis for routine incidents
as well as major emergencies; activated
at first response.
 ICS Purposes
ICS helps to ensure:
The safety of responders and others
The achievement of tactical objectives
The efficient use of resources
 ICS Benefits
Meets needs of incidents of any
kind or size.
Allows personnel from a variety
of agencies to meld rapidly into a
common management structure.
Provides logistical/administrative
support to operational staff.
Is cost effective by avoiding
duplication of efforts.
Incidents Managed Using ICS
Natural disasters - typhoons, floods,
earthquakes, tsunami
Human and animal disease outbreaks
Search and rescue missions
Hazardous materials incidents
Terrorist incidents
Recovery operations
Distribution of humanitarian assistance
National security events such as
Presidential visits
Planned events such as parades
Basic Principles
of ICS
 Non-Permanent Organization

ICS is only activated in response to an incident

(or for planned non-emergency events).

NOT a permanent organizational structure or

secretariat.

During an incident, ICS qualified personnel

leave regular positions.
 Unity of Command & Chain of
Command
Chain of command: orderly line of authority within
the ranks of the incident management organization

Unity of command: every individual has a designated

supervisor to whom he or she reports at the scene of
the incident
Authority
 Span of Control
ICS span of control for any supervisor:
Is between 3 and 7 subordinates.
Optimally does not exceed 5 subordinates.
 Modular Organization

Develops in top-down, modular

fashion
Expands and contracts based on
response needs
Span of control is core ICS principle
used to determine organizational
structure
 Delegation of Authority
The Responsible Official establishes policy,
direction, parameters, and delegates
authority to the Incident Commander for the
on-scene response.

The Incident Commander has direct tactical

and operational responsibility for conducting
incident management activities.
 Role of ICS in Overall Response

Law, Policy
and Authority Executives

Disaster Risk Reduction & Management

Coordination, Strategy, Council
Resources & Support
DRRM Operations Center

Command of Incident
On-Scene Command
Operations
 Incident Management Roles

Incident Commander: Responsible Official &

Manages incident at DRRMC:
the scene. Provide the following to the
Keeps Responsible Incident Commander:
Official and Disaster Risk Policy
Reduction &
Management Council Mission
informed of all Strategic direction
important matters Authority
pertaining to incident
Reliance on an Incident Action Plan
The Incident Commander creates an Incident Action
Plan (IAP) that:
Specifies the incident objectives.
States the activities to be completed.
Covers a specified timeframe, called
an operational period.
May be oral or written.
Takes into account legal and policy
considerations and direction.
 Resource Management
Resource management includes processes
for:
Categorizing resources
Ordering resources
Dispatching resources
Tracking resources
Recovering resources
Also includes processes for reimbursement
for resources, as appropriate
 Common Terminology

ICS requires use of common terminology,

which helps define:
Organizational functions
Incident facilities
Resource descriptions
Position titles
All ICS communications should use clear
text
 Integrated Communications
Integrated ICS communications involve the
following three (3) elements:
a. Communication plans that address
resources and requirements.
b. Modes of communication (hardware) to be
used to transfer information.
c. Procedures and processes for
disseminating information.
 ICS
Organization
 Primary Functions
Finance/Admin:
Command: Overall Monitors costs related
responsibility for the to the incident.
incident. Sets objectives. Provides overall fiscal
Incident
Commander guidance.

Operations Planning Logistics Finance/Admin

Section Section Section Section

Operations: Develops the Planning: Develops Logistics: Provides

tactical organization and the Incident Action resources and all
directs all resources to Plan to accomplish other services
carry out the Incident the objectives. needed to support
Action Plan. the incident.
 Incident Complexity and Resource Needs
Incident Complexity Resource Needs ICS Structure
Complexity
 Large Disaster All Units
Activated
Incident Commander

Public Information Liaison

Officer Officer

Safety
Officer

Finance/Admin.
Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section
Section

Resources Demob. Service Support Time Compensation

Unit Unit Branch Branch Unit Claims Unit
Air Ops
Branches
Branch
Situation Doc. Procurement Cost
Unit Unit Commun. Supply Unit Unit
Unit Unit
Divisions Groups
Medical Facilities
Unit Unit
Strike Team
Ground
Food
Task Force Support
Unit
Unit
Single Resource
 ICS Ladderized Training

Incident Command System Basic /

Intermediate Course (3 days)

Integrated Planning Course (5 days)

Position Courses (5 days)

All-Hazard Incident Management Team (5

days)
THANK YOU