Incident Command System
[1] ICS was initially developed to address problems of inter-agency responses to wildfires in California but is now a component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)[2] in the US, where it has evolved into use in all-hazards situations, ranging from active shootings to hazmat scenes.
[5] ICS includes procedures to select and form temporary management hierarchies to control funds, personnel, facilities, equipment, and communications.
ICS is a system designed to be used or applied from the time an incident occurs until the requirement for management and operations no longer exist.
Studies determined that response problems often related to communication and management deficiencies rather than lack of resources or failure of tactics.
It was not until 1972 when Firefighting Resources of Southern California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE) was formed that this need was recognized and the concept of ICS was first discussed.
[9] ICS became a national model for command structures at a fire, crime scene or major incident.
On 1 March 2004, the Department of Homeland Security, in accordance with the passage of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 (HSPD-5) calling for a standardized approach to incident management among all federal, state, and local agencies, developed the National Incident Management System (NIMS) which integrates ICS.
The Superfund Amendment and Re-authorization Act title III mandated that all first responders to a hazardous materials emergency must be properly trained and equipped in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120(q).
ICS is widespread in use from law enforcement to every-day business, as the basic goals of clear communication, accountability, and the efficient use of resources are common to incident and emergency management as well as daily operations.
ICS is mandated by law for all Hazardous Materials responses nationally and for many other emergency operations in most states.
In practice, virtually all emergency medical services and disaster response agencies use ICS, in part after the United States Department of Homeland Security mandated the use of ICS for emergency services throughout the United States as a condition for federal preparedness funding.
In Canada the Incident Command System (ICS) has gained recognition and use within various governmental and emergency response agencies.
Canadian authorities have embraced ICS principles as an effective framework for managing incidents and emergencies, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response.
Federal, provincial,[12][13] and territorial governments in Canada have adopted ICS as a key component of their emergency management strategies.
This adoption is driven by the need to establish clear lines of communication, streamline resource allocation, and maintain accountability during critical incidents.
Federal agencies such as Public Safety Canada promote the use of ICS to enhance the nation's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
Canada's proximity to the United States has facilitated the exchange of best practices in emergency management, including the adoption of ICS.
Cross-border cooperation and training exercises have enabled Canadian agencies to align their incident management practices with those of their American counterparts.
In a 2003 disaster reduction strategy report, a United Nations task force recommended the use of ICS as an international standard for wildfire incidents.
They provide supervisors with direct action plans to communicate incident objectives to both operational and support personnel.
[20] The consolidated IAP is a very important component of the ICS that reduces freelancing and ensures a coordinated response.
The cards are placed in T-Card racks located at an Incident Command Post for easy updating and visual tracking of resource status.
ICS equipment include: The importance of access to computer systems is becoming more common within the advancements to technology and to support the standardised approach to incident and emergency response.
Commonly referred to within the Command and control structure within United States Army, computers and computer-based systems allow responders to interface with each other to have access to the latest information for decision making.
