Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

1. Concepts and Principles

NIMS

a. Most Incidents Are Managed Locally.  The initial response to most domestic incidents is typically handled by local “911” dispatch centers, emergency responders within a single jurisdiction, and direct supporters of emergency responders.  Most responses need go no further.  In other instances, incidents that begin with a single response discipline within a single jurisdiction may rapidly expand to multidiscipline, multijurisdictional incidents requiring significant additional resources and operational support.  Whether for incidents in which additional resources are required or are provided from different organizations within a single jurisdiction or outside the jurisdiction, or for complex incidents with national-level implications (such as an emerging infectious disease or a bioterror attack), the ICS provides a flexible core mechanism for coordinated and collaborative incident management. When a single incident covers a large geographical area, multiple local ICS organizations may be required. Effective cross-jurisdictional coordination using processes and systems described in the NIMS is absolutely critical in this instance.

II-A-1-a (Page 7)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

1.

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, systems, procedures, and/or plans to ensure effective cross-jurisdictional coordination between multiple local ICS organizations responding to an incident covering a large geographical area.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

1. Concepts and Principles

NIMS

b. The NIMS Requires That Field Command and Management

Functions Be Performed in Accordance with a Standard Set of ICS Organizations, Doctrine, and Procedures.  However, Incident Commanders generally retain the flexibility to modify procedures or organizational structure to align as necessary with the operating characteristics of their specific jurisdictions or to accomplish the mission in the context of a particular hazard scenario.

II-A-1-b

(Page 8)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes and/or plans to ensure:

1.

field command and management functions are performed in accordance with a standard set of ICS organizations, doctrine, and procedures.

 Yes   No

2.

Incident Commanders have the authority and flexibility to modify procedures and organizational structure as necessary to align with the operating characteristics of their specific jurisdiction or to accomplish the mission in the context of a particular hazard scenario.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

1. Concepts and Principles

NIMS

c. ICS Is Modular and Scalable.  ICS is designed to have the following operating characteristics; it should be

·   suitable for operations within a single jurisdiction or single agency, a single jurisdiction with multiagency involvement, or multiple jurisdictions with multiagency involvement;

·   applicable and acceptable to users throughout the country;

·   readily adaptable to new technology;

·   adaptable to any emergency or incident to which domestic incident management agencies would be expected to respond; and

·   have a scalable organizational structure that is based on the size and complexity of the incident.

II-A-1-c

(Page 8)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its ICS is modular and scalable through the following operating characteristics:

1.

suitable for operations within a single jurisdiction or agency.

 Yes   No

2.

suitable for operations within a single jurisdiction with multiagency involvement.

 Yes   No

3.

suitable for operations within multiple jurisdictions with multiagency involvement.

 Yes   No

4.

readily adaptable to new technology.

 Yes   No

5.

adaptable to any emergency or incident to which domestic incident management agencies would be expected to respond.

 Yes   No

6.

scalable in organizational structure based on the size and complexity of the incident.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

1. Concepts and Principles

NIMS

d. ICS Has Interactive Management Components.  These set the stage for effective and efficient incident management and emergency response.

II-A-1-d

(Page 8)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

1.

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its ICS has interactive management components.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

1. Concepts and Principles

NIMS

f. ICS Incorporates Measurable Objectives.  Measurable objectives ensure fulfillment of incident management goals.  Objective-setting begins at the top and is communicated throughout the entire organization.

II-A-1-f

(Page 9)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its:

1.

ICS incorporates measurable objectives to ensure fulfillment of incident management goals.

 Yes   No

2.

incident management objective-setting begins at the top and is communicated throughout the entire organization.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

1. Concepts and Principles

NIMS

g. The Implementation of ICS Should Have the Least Possible Disruption On Existing Systems and Processes.  This will facilitate its acceptance across a nationwide user community and to insure continuity in the transition process from normal operations.

II-A-1-g

(Page 9)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

1.

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its ICS has the least possible disruption on existing systems and processes.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

1. Concepts and Principles

NIMS

h. ICS Should Be User Friendly and Be Applicable Across a Wide Spectrum of Emergency Response and Incident Management Disciplines.  This will enable the communication, coordination, and integration critical to an effective and efficient NIMS.

II-A-1-h

(Page 9)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

1.

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its ICS is user friendly and applicable across a wide spectrum of emergency response and incident management disciplines.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

2. Management Characteristics

NIMS

a. Common Terminology.  ICS establishes common terminology that allows diverse incident management and support entities to work together across a wide variety of incident management functions and hazard scenarios.  This common terminology covers the following:

(1) Organizational Functions.  Major functions and functional units with domestic incident management responsibilities are named and defined. Terminology for the organizational elements involved is standard and consistent.

(2) Resource Descriptions.  Major resources—including personnel, facilities, and major equipment and supply items—used to support incident management activities are given common names and are “typed” with respect to their capabilities, to help avoid confusion and to enhance interoperability. The process for accomplishing this task is specified in Chapter IV.

(3) Incident Facilities.  Common terminology is used to designate the facilities in the vicinity of the incident area that will be used in the course of incident management activities.

II-A-2-a

(Page 9)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

1.

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its ICS uses common terminology for organizational functions, resource descriptions, and incident facilities.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

2. Management Characteristics

NIMS

b. Modular Organization.  The incident command organizational structure develops in a top-down, modular fashion that is based on the size and complexity of the incident, as well as the specifics of the hazard environment created by the incident. When needed, separate functional elements can be established, each of which may be further subdivided to enhance internal organizational management and external coordination. Responsibility for the establishment and expansion of the ICS modular organization ultimately rests with the Incident Commander (IC), who bases these on the requirements of the situation. As incident complexity increases, the organization expands from the top down as functional responsibilities are delegated. Concurrently with structural expansion, the number of management positions expands to adequately address the requirements of the incident.

II-A-2-b

(Page 10)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its ICS:

1.

places responsibility for the establishment and expansion of the ICS modular organization on the IC.

 Yes   No

2.

expands from the top down as incident complexity increases and functional responsibilities are delegated.

 Yes   No

3.

expands the number of management positions concurrently with structural expansion to adequately address the requirements of the incident.

 Yes   No

Chapter II – Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

2. Management Characteristics

NIMS

c. Management by Objectives.  Management by objectives represents an approach that is communicated throughout the entire ICS organization.  This approach includes the following:

·   establishing overarching objectives;

·   developing and issuing assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols;

·   establishing specific, measurable objectives for various incident management functional activities, and directing efforts to attain them, in support of defined strategic objectives; and

·   documenting results to measure performance and facilitate corrective action.

II-A-2-c

(Page 10)

NIMS-Derived Compliance Statement(s)

The jurisdiction has implemented and institutionalized processes, procedures, and/or plans to ensure that its approach to management by objectives includes:

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