Plugging Into the Local Incident Command System Health Physics Society Midyear Meeting February 2005 New Orleans, LA Sponsored with the Assistance of the.

Plugging Into the Local Plugging Into the Local Incident Command SystemIncident Command System

Health Physics Society Midyear Meeting

February 2005 New Orleans, LASponsored with the Assistance of the Health Physics Society Homeland Security Committee

SpeakersSpeakers

Tom O’Connell– MA Department of Public Health– Liaison to Hazardous Materials Teams– IAEA Consultant

Steve Clendenin– Retired Fire Captain – 26 Years– Deputy Director – MA Hazmat Response– FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Task Force

AgendaAgenda

The Emergency Environment

The Incident Command System

Interface Programs

Getting Connected

Emergencies – “Sliding the Pole”Emergencies – “Sliding the Pole”

Two Scenarios– Investigation leading to realization that

something BAD is happening.• Slow buildup

–Rapid Violent Events

Rapid Violent EventRapid Violent Event

Mass ConfusionLack of InformationPsychological impact

– Death – Injury

Need for IMMEDIATE DECISIONSThe Buck has stopped with YOU.

WHEN THE EXPERTS PANIC-WHEN THE EXPERTS PANIC-THEY CALL THE FIRE DEPT.THEY CALL THE FIRE DEPT.

Old Bumper Sticker

Emergency RespondersEmergency Respondersare Called -are Called -

When Normal Safeguards Have Failed

When Deliberate Harm is Intended– Terrorism– Arson– Revenge / Anger– Loonies

People You Meet at the ScenePeople You Meet at the Scene

Victims

Responsible Parties– Guilt– Fear of Litigation– Desire to Minimize or Conceal

Other Responding Agencies

People You Meet at the ScenePeople You Meet at the ScenePeople with Good Information People with Bad InformationPeople with “Issues”

The Problem is sorting them out

The SceneThe Scene

I’m an Expert and I’m here to Help you

Sometimes There is No Perfect Answer

Experts Must Understand Their Experts Must Understand Their Audiences Needs to be EffectiveAudiences Needs to be Effective

NIMS / ICSNIMS / ICS

Managing Disaster

Homeland Security Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5Presidential Directive 5

To prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, the United States Government shall establish a single, comprehensive approach to domestic incident management. The objective of the United States Government is to ensure that all levels of government across the Nation have the capability to work efficiently and effectively together, using a national approach to domestic incident management

What is the National Incident What is the National Incident Management System, or NIMS?Management System, or NIMS?

A system that provides a consistent nationwide approach for incident management

Requires Federal, State, tribal, and local governments to work together before, during, and after incidents

Involves preparing for, preventing, responding to, and recovering from domestic incidents

All causes, sizes, and complexities of incidents

Incident Command SystemIncident Command System FEMA IS-100FEMA IS-100

MA Department of Fire Services

MA Department of Public Health

Why Use ICSWhy Use ICS

Time Proven System of Management

Standardized Approach

All Hazards Concept

Modular and Flexible

Common Terminology

Common ICS TerminologyCommon ICS Terminology

Span of Control

Operation Period

Facilities– Incident Command Post– Camps– Bases– Staging Areas

Origins of ICSOrigins of ICS

State of California Late 1970sF I R E S C O P E

– Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies

Goals– Fire Service Management – Technology – Incident Command – Multi-Agency Coordination

Two Key ConceptsTwo Key Concepts

Unity of Command– You can only take orders from one

person

Span of Control– You can only directly supervise a

limited number of people

Primary Position Title Support Position

Incident Commander Incident Commander Deputy

Command Staff Officer Assistant

Section Chief Deputy

Branch Director Deputy

Division/Group Supervisor N/A

Strike Team/Task Force

Leader N/A

Unit Leader Manager

Single Resource Use Unit Description N/A

ICS Organizational TitlesICS Organizational Titles

Standard and Specific to ICS

Positions not filled by Rank

Qualified Personnel

Minimizes Confusion

Management Areas

Incident CommanderIncident Commander

Responsible for Overall Incident– Objectives– Strategies– Priorities

• Life Safety• Incident Stabilization • Property Conservation

Command StaffCommand Staff

Command Staff PositionsCommand Staff Positions

Incident Commander

Safety Officer

* Liaison Officer

Public Information Officer

General Staff SectionsGeneral Staff Sections

Sections Comprise General Staff

Chief for Each Management Section

Operations SectionOperations Section

Position Title - Operations ChiefExecutes IAP Operations

Responsible for– Reports to IC– Accomplishing Objectives

• Strategies• Tactics• Tasks

Planning SectionPlanning Section

Position Title - Planning ChiefDevelops the IAPResponsible for

– Reports to IC– Data Evaluation– Long Term Direction

– Technical Specialists

Incident Action PlanIncident Action Plan

Every Incident - Verbal or WrittenProvides Direction for:

– Operational Period– Measurable Tactical Operations

Minimum of Four Elements– What do We Want to do?– Who is Responsible for Job?– How to Communicate?– Procedures for Injuries?

Planning SectionPlanning SectionTechnical SpecialistsTechnical Specialists

Certain Incidents or Events May Require the use of Technical Specialists who Have Specialized Knowledge and Expertise.

Assigned Wherever Their Services are Required.

In the Planning Section, Technical Specialists May Report to the Following:– Planning Section Chief– A Designated Unit Leader

Logistics SectionLogistics Section

Position Title - Logistics ChiefProvides Support, ResourcesInputs into the IAPResponsible for

– Process Requests– Advise on Capabilities– Report to IC

Finance SectionFinance Section

Position Title - Finance ChiefProvides Support, ResourcesInputs into the IAPResponsible for

– Process Requests– Advise on Capabilities– Report to IC

Types of Incident FacilitiesTypes of Incident Facilities

Incident Location

Incident Command Post

Staging Area

Camps

Base

Responder ResponsibilitiesResponder Responsibilities

Check In Process– Locate Personnel for Emergencies – Ensures Accountability– Organize the Demobilization – Tracking Resources– Prepare for Assignments

No Freelancing

Summary of ICS ConceptsSummary of ICS Concepts

IC Position Always FilledCommand Staff-OfficersGeneral Staff – Section ChiefsIAP for Operational PeriodCommon Terminology UsedICS Organization Independent

Summary of ICS ConceptsSummary of ICS Concepts

Span of Control 3-7 personsBriefings Must Take PlaceOnly One Base Facility - FixedCamps Can MoveStaging – Waiting Area for AssetsICS - Flexible Management Tool

Questions on FEMA IS-100Questions on FEMA IS-100

QuizQuiz

– A. Truck with a Hemi– B. Animal – C. Random Access Memory – D. Radioactive Material – E. Rapid Access Mass Decon

•YES……All of the Above

•What is RAM?

Do You Understand MeDo You Understand Me

Communication with Common Language is KEY to Success– NO Acronyms– NO Codes

• Ten Four Big Buddy

Understand the Big PictureQuick - to the Point Solutions

Ten Things Not to Say to a FRTen Things Not to Say to a FR

Sievert Gray Depth Dose Equivalent Let Me Think About That We Can’t Do That You Can’t Do That Committed Dose Effective Dose Be Gentle With The Equipment Discuss the Quantum Theory

Get to Know Your Get to Know Your LocalLocal RespondersResponders

FirePolice EMSLower the Better Offer Training AssistanceGet to Know Local/State Assets and

Response Organizations

FEMA CERT ProgramFEMA CERT Program

Citizen’s Emergency Response Teams– National Program– Local Implementation

Prepares Communities to RespondTraining is Local by LocalEmergency and Non-Emergency

FEMA CERT ProgramFEMA CERT Program

Benefits– Better Understanding of Community– Potential Community Hazards– Understanding Develops Perspective– Improves Disaster Response– More Hands Make Lighter Work– Credentialing

http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/cert/dir.asp

State SERC / Local LEPCState SERC / Local LEPC

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency– Emergency Planning and Community

Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) – Clean Air Act (CAA)

SERC– State Emergency Response Commissions

LEPC– Local Emergency Planning Committee

Local LEPC MembersLocal LEPC Members

Local Emergency Planning Committee– Appointed by the SERC– Must Contain Representatives from:

• Local Officials• Local Public Safety• Local Public Health• Local Emergency Management• Local Hospitals• Community Groups• Facilities Subjected to EPCRA

Local LEPC ActivitiesLocal LEPC Activities

Develop Emergency Plans– Community Specific– Prepare for And Respond to Chemical– Annual Review of Plan– Exercise the Plan

Work with Facilities to Minimize RiskInform Population of Chemical Riskshttp://www.rtknet.org/resources.php

SummarySummary

Learn the Responder’s View of Incidents Get Integrated into Your Community Understand Your Audience’s Needs

– Fast Breaking Events…Fast Solutions Understand the Response Systems Learn the Systems Volunteer Your Expertise

……There is Always a Solution……

Photo by Capt Cadd CA