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NIMS version: March 1, 2004
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<< Chapter I - INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW
Chapter III - PREPAREDNESS >>

Chapter II
NIMS - Command and Management

A. Incident Command System

B. Multiagency Coordination Systems

C. Public Information Systems

This chapter describes the systems used to facilitate domestic incident command and management operations, including the ICS, multiagency coordination systems, and the Joint Information System (JIS). Additional details on incident command and management are contained in Appendix A.

A. INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM.

The ICS is a management system designed to enable effective and efficient domestic incident management by integrating a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to enable effective and efficient domestic incident management. A basic premise of ICS is that it is widely applicable. It is used to organize both near-term and long-term field-level operations for a broad spectrum of emergencies, from small to complex incidents, both natural and manmade. ICS is used by all levels of government—Federal, State, local, and tribal—as well as by many private-sector and nongovernmental organizations. ICS is also applicable across disciplines. It is normally structured to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance and administration.

Acts of biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear terrorism represent particular challenges for the traditional ICS structure. Events that are not site specific, are geographically dispersed, or evolve over longer periods of time will require extraordinary coordination between Federal, State, local, tribal, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations. An area command may be established to oversee the management of such incidents. (See Appendix A, Tab 6.)

1. Concepts and Principles.

To provide this framework for interoperability and compatibility, the NIMS is based on an appropriate balance of flexibility and standardization.

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.


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.

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.

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

e. ICS Establishes Common Terminology, Standards, and Procedures that Enable Diverse Organizations to Work Together Effectively.
These include a standard set of predesignated organizational elements and functions, common names for resources used to support incident operations, common “typing” for resources to reflect specific capabilities, and common identifiers for facilities and operational locations used to support incident operations.

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.


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.

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.

2. Management Characteristics.

ICS is based on proven management characteristics. Each contributes to the strength and efficiency of the overall system.

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.

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.

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.

d. Reliance on an Incident Action Plan.
Incident action plans (IAPs) provide a coherent means of communicating the overall incident objectives in the contexts of both operational and support activities.


e. Manageable Span of Control.
Span of control is key to effective and efficient incident management. Within ICS, the span of control of any individual with incident management supervisory responsibility should range from three to seven subordinates. The type of incident, nature of the task, hazards and safety factors, and distances between personnel and resources all influence span-of-control considerations.


f. Predesignated Incident Locations and Facilities.
Various types of operational locations and support facilities are established in the vicinity of an incident to accomplish a variety of purposes, such as decontamination, donated goods processing, mass care, and evacuation. The IC will direct the identification and location of facilities based on the requirements of the situation at hand. Typical predesignated facilities include incident command posts, bases, camps, staging areas, mass casualty triage areas, and others, as required. For a more complete discussion of predesignated locations and facilities, see Appendix A, Tab 7.


g. Comprehensive Resource Management.
Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date picture of resource utilization is a critical component of domestic incident management. Resource management includes processes for categorizing, ordering, dispatching, tracking, and recovering resources. It also includes processes for reimbursement for resources, as appropriate. Resources are defined as personnel, teams, equipment, supplies, and facilities available or potentially available for assignment or allocation in support of incident management and emergency response activities.


h. Integrated Communications.
Incident communications are facilitated through the development and use of a common communications plan and interoperable communications processes and architectures. This integrated approach links the operational and support units of the various agencies involved and is necessary to maintain communications connectivity and discipline and enable common situational awareness and interaction. Preparedness planning must address the equipment, systems, and protocols necessary to achieve integrated voice and data incident management communications.

i. Establishment and Transfer of Command.
The command function must be clearly established from the beginning of incident operations. The agency with primary jurisdictional authority over the incident designates the individual at the scene responsible for establishing command. When command is transferred, the process must include a briefing that captures all essential information for continuing safe and effective operations.


j. Chain of Command and Unity of Command.
Chain of command refers to the orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident management organization. Unity of command means that every individual has a designated supervisor to whom they report at the scene of the incident. These principles clarify reporting relationships and eliminate the confusion caused by multiple, conflicting directives. Incident managers at all levels must be able to control the actions of all personnel under their supervision.


k. Unified Command.
In incidents involving multiple jurisdictions, a single jurisdiction with multiagency involvement, or multiple jurisdictions with multiagency
involvement, unified command allows agencies with different legal, geographic, and functional authorities and responsibilities to work together effectively without affecting individual agency authority, responsibility, or accountability.


l. Accountability.
Effective accountability at all jurisdictional levels and within individual functional areas during incident operations is essential. To that end, the following principles must be adhered to:

(1) Check-In.
All responders, regardless of agency affiliation, must report in to receive an assignment in accordance with the procedures established by the IC.

(2) Incident Action Plan.
Response operations must be directed and coordinated as outlined in the IAP.

(3) Unity of Command.
Each individual involved in incident operations will be assigned to only one supervisor.

(4) Span of Control.
Supervisors must be able to adequately supervise and control their subordinates, as well as communicate with and manage all resources under their supervision.

(5) Resource Tracking.
Supervisors must record and report resource status changes as they occur.

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m. Deployment.
Personnel and equipment should respond only when requested or when dispatched by an appropriate authority.

n. Information and Intelligence Management.
The incident management organization must establish a process for gathering, sharing, and managing incident-related information and intelligence.


3. ICS Organization and Operations.

a. Command and General Staff Overview.
The ICS organization has five major functions, as described in Figure 1. These are: command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance and administration (with a potential sixth functional area to cover the intelligence function, as described in paragraph 2.n. above).


Figure 1

(1) Command.
Command comprises the IC and Command Staff. Command Staff positions are established to assign responsibility for key activities not specifically identified in the General Staff functional elements. These positions may include the Public Information Officer (PIO), Safety Officer (SO), and Liaison Officer (LNO), in addition to various others, as required and assigned by the IC.


(2) General Staff.
The General Staff comprises incident management personnel who represent the major functional elements of the ICS including the Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief. (More detailed information regarding these functional elements is contained in Appendix A.) Command Staff and General Staff must continually interact and share vital information and estimates of the current and future situation and develop recommended courses of action for consideration by the IC. Additional information on the specific functions and makeup of the individual units within each of these sections is provided in Appendix A.

b. The Command Staff.
Command Staff is responsible for overall management of the incident. This includes Command Staff assignments required to support the command function.

(1) The Command Function.
The command function may be conducted in two general ways:

(a) Single Command IC.
When an incident occurs within a single jurisdiction and there is no jurisdictional or functional agency overlap, a single IC should be designated with overall incident management responsibility by the appropriate jurisdictional authority. (In some cases in which incident management crosses jurisdictional and/or functional agency boundaries, a single IC may be designated if all parties agree to such an option.) Jurisdictions should consider predesignating ICs in their preparedness plans. The designated IC will develop the incident objectives on which subsequent incident action planning will be based. The IC will approve the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and all requests pertaining to the ordering and releasing of incident resources.

(b) Unified Command.
UC is an important element in multijurisdictional or multiagency domestic incident management. It provides guidelines to enable agencies with different legal, geographic, and functional responsibilities to coordinate, plan, and interact effectively. As a team effort, UC overcomes much of the inefficiency and duplication of effort that can occur when agencies from different functional and geographic jurisdictions, or agencies at different levels of government, operate without a common system or organizational framework. All agencies with jurisdictional authority or functional responsibility for any or all aspects of an incident and those able to provide specific resource support participate in the UC structure and contribute to the process of determining overall incident strategies; selecting objectives; ensuring that joint planning for tactical activities is accomplished in accordance with approved incident objectives; ensuring the integration of tactical operations; and approving, committing, and making optimum use of all assigned resources. The exact composition of the UC structure will depend on the location(s) of the incident (i.e., which geographical administrative jurisdictions are involved) and the type of incident (i.e., which functional agencies of the involved jurisdiction(s) are required). In the case of some multijurisdictional incidents, the designation of a single IC may be considered to promote greater unity of effort and efficiency.

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Advantages of Using Unified Command

A single set of objectives is developed for the entire incident.

A collective approach is used to develop strategies to achieve incident objectives.

Information flow and coordination is improved between all jurisdictions and agencies involved in the incident.

All agencies with responsibility for the incident have an understanding of joint priorities and restrictions.

No agency’s legal authorities will be compromised or neglected.
The combined efforts of all agencies are optimized as they perform their respective assignments under a single Incident Action Plan.

(i) The designated agency officials participating in the UC represent different legal authorities and functional areas of responsibility and use a collaborative process to establish incident objectives and designate priorities that accommodate those objectives. Agencies heavily involved in the incident that lack jurisdictional responsibility are defined as supporting agencies. They are represented in the command structure and effect coordination on behalf of their parent agency through the Liaison Officer. Jurisdictional responsibilities of multiple incident management officials are consolidated into a single planning process (discussed more fully in Appendix A, Tab 8), including:

responsibilities for incident management;

incident objectives;

resource availability and capabilities;

limitations; and

areas of agreement and disagreement between agency officials.

 

(ii) Incidents are managed under a single, collaborative approach, including the following:

common organizational structure;

single incident command post;

unified planning process; and

unified resource management.


(iii) Under UC, the IAP is developed by the Planning Section Chief and is approved by the UC. A single individual, the Operations Section Chief, directs the tactical implementation of the IAP. The Operations Section Chief will normally come from the agency with the greatest jurisdictional involvement. UC participants will agree on the designation of the Operations Section Chief.

(iv) UC works best when the participating members of the UC collocate at the Incident Command Post and observe the following practices:

Select an Operations Section Chief for each operational period;

Keep each other informed of specific requirements;

Establish consolidated incident objectives, priorities, and strategies;

Coordinate to establish a single system for ordering resources;

Develop a consolidated IAP, written or oral, evaluated and updated at regular intervals; and
Establish procedures for joint decision-making and documentation.

 

(v) The primary differences between the single command structure and the UC structure are that:

In a single command structure, the IC is solely responsible (within the confines of his or her authority) for establishing incident management objectives and strategies. The IC is directly responsible for ensuring that all functional area activities are directed toward accomplishment of the strategy.

In a UC structure, the individuals designated by their jurisdictional authorities (or by departments within a single jurisdiction) must jointly determine objectives, strategies, plans, and priorities and work together to execute integrated incident operations and maximize the use of assigned resources.

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(2) Command Staff Responsibilities.
In an incident command organization, the Command Staff consists of the Incident Command and various special staff positions. The special staff positions are specifically designated, report directly to the Incident Command, and are assigned responsibility for key activities that are not a part of the ICS General Staff functional elements. Three special staff positions are typically identified in ICS: Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer. Additional positions may be required, depending on the nature, scope, complexity, and location(s) of the incident(s), or according to specific requirements established by the IC.

(a) Public Information Officer.
The PIO is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements. The PIO develops accurate and complete information on the incident’s cause, size, and current situation; resources committed; and other matters of general interest for both internal and external consumption. The PIO may also perform a key public information- monitoring role. Whether the command structure is single or unified, only one incident PIO should be designated. Assistants may be assigned from other agencies or departments involved. The IC must approve the release of all incident-related information.


(b) Safety Officer.
The SO monitors incident operations and advises the IC on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety of emergency responder personnel. The ultimate responsibility for the safe conduct of incident management operations rests with the IC or UC and supervisors at all levels of incident management. The SO is, in turn, responsible to the IC for the set of systems and procedures necessary to ensure ongoing assessment of hazardous environments, coordination of multiagency safety efforts, and implementation of measures to promote emergency responder safety, as well as the general safety of incident operations. The SO has emergency authority to stop and/or prevent unsafe acts during incident operations. In a UC structure, a single SO should be designated, in spite of the fact that multiple jurisdictions and/or functional agencies may be involved. Assistants may be required and may be assigned from other agencies or departments constituting the UC. The SO, Operations Section Chief, and Planning Section Chief must coordinate closely regarding operational safety and emergency responder health and safety issues. The SO must also ensure the coordination of safety management functions and issues across jurisdictions, across functional agencies, and with private-sector and nongovernmental organizations. It is important to note that the agencies, organizations, or jurisdictions that contribute to joint safety management efforts do not lose their individual identities or responsibility for their own programs, policies, and personnel. Rather, each entity contributes to the overall effort to protect all responder personnel involved in incident operations.


(c) Liaison Officer.
The LNO is the point of contact for representatives of other governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and/or private entities. In either a single or UC structure, representatives from assisting or cooperating agencies and organizations coordinate through the LNO. Agency and/or organizational representatives assigned to an incident must have the authority to speak for their parent agencies and/or organizations on all matters, following appropriate consultations with their agency leadership. Assistants and personnel from other agencies or organizations (public or private) involved in incident management activities may be assigned to the LNO to facilitate coordination.


(d) Assistants.
In the context of large or complex incidents, Command Staff members may need one or more assistants to help manage their workloads. Each Command Staff member is responsible for organizing his or her assistants for maximum efficiency.


(e) Additional Command Staff.
Additional Command Staff positions may also be necessary depending on the nature and location(s) of the incident, and/or specific requirements established by the IC. For example, a Legal Counsel may be assigned directly to the Command Staff to advise the IC on legal matters, such as emergency proclamations, legality of evacuation orders, and legal rights and restrictions pertaining to media access. Similarly, a Medical Advisor may be designated and assigned directly to the Command Staff to provide advice and recommendations to the IC in the context of incidents involving medical and mental health services, mass casualty, acute care, vector control, epidemiology, and/or mass prophylaxis considerations, particularly in the response to a bioterrorism event.

c. The General Staff.
The General Staff represents and is responsible for the functional aspects of the incident command structure. The General Staff typically consists of the Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration Sections, which are discussed below:

(1) Operations Section.
This section is responsible for all activities focused on reduction of the immediate hazard, saving lives and property, establishing situational control, and restoration of normal operations.

Figure 2 depicts the primary organizational structure template for an Operations Section. For a more detailed discussion of the Operations Section, see Appendix A, Tab 2. Further expansions of this basic structure will vary according to numerous considerations and operational factors. In some cases, the organizational structure will be determined by jurisdictional boundaries. In other cases, a strictly functional approach will be used. In still others, a mix of functional and geographical considerations may be appropriate. The ICS offers flexibility in determining the right structural approach for the specific circumstances of the incident at hand.

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Figure 2

(a) Operations Section Chief.
The Operations Section Chief is responsible to the IC or UC for the direct management of all incident-related operational activities. The Operations Section Chief will establish tactical objectives for each operational period, with other section chiefs and unit leaders establishing their own supporting objectives. The Operations Section Chief may have one or more deputies assigned, with the assignment of deputies from other agencies encouraged in the case of multijurisdictional incidents. An Operations Section Chief should be designated for each operational period and should have direct involvement in the preparation of the IAP for the corresponding period of responsibility.

(b) Branches.
Branches may be used to serve several purposes, and may be functional or geographic in nature. In general, branches are established when the number of divisions or groups exceeds the recommended span of control of one supervisor to three to seven subordinates for the Operations Section Chief (a ratio of 1:5 is normally recommended, or 1:8 to 1:10 for many larger-scale law enforcement operations).


(c) Divisions and Groups.
Divisions and Groups are established when the number of resources exceeds the manageable span of control of the IC and the Operations Section Chief. Divisions are established to divide an incident into physical or geographical areas of operation. Groups are established to divide the incident into functional areas of operation. For certain types of incidents, for example, the IC may assign intelligence-related activities to a functional group in the Operations Section. There also may be additional levels of supervision below the Division or Group level.

(d) Resources.
Resources refer to the combination of personnel and equipment required to enable incident management operations. Resources may be organized and managed in three different ways, depending on the requirements of the incident:

(i) Single Resources. These are individual personnel and equipment items and the operators associated with them.

(ii) Task Forces. A Task Force is any combination of resources assembled in support of a specific mission or operational need. All resource elements within a Task Force must have common communications and a designated leader.

(iii) Strike Teams. Strike Teams are a set number of resources of the same kind and type that have an established minimum number of personnel. The use of Strike Teams and Task Forces is encouraged, wherever possible, to optimize the use of resources, reduce the span of control over a large number of single resources, and reduce the complexity of incident management coordination and communications.

(2) Planning Section.
The Planning Section collects, evaluates, and disseminates incident situation information and intelligence to the IC or UC and incident management personnel, prepares status reports, displays situation information, maintains status of resources assigned to the incident, and develops and documents the IAP based on guidance from the IC or UC. For a more detailed discussion of the Planning Section see Appendix A, Tab 3. As shown in Figure 3, the Planning Section comprises four primary units, as well as a number of technical specialists to assist in evaluating the situation, developing planning options, and forecasting requirements for additional resources.


Figure 3

The Planning Section is normally responsible for gathering and disseminating information and intelligence critical to the incident, unless the IC places this function elsewhere.

The Planning Section is also responsible for developing and documenting the IAP. The IAP includes the overall incident objectives and strategies established by the IC or UC. In the case of UC, the IAP must adequately address the mission and policy needs of each jurisdictional agency, as well as interaction between jurisdictions, functional agencies, and private organizations. The IAP also addresses tactical objectives and support activities required for one operational period, generally 12 to 24 hours. The IAP also contains provisions for continuous incorporation of “lessons learned” as incident management activities progress. An IAP is especially important when:

(a) resources from multiple agencies and/or jurisdictions are involved;

(b) multiple jurisdictions are involved;

(d) the incident will effectively span several operational periods;

(d) changes in shifts of personnel and/or equipment are required; or

(e) there is a need to document actions and/or decisions.

The IAP will typically contain a number of components, as shown in
Figure 4. (For full descriptions of units in each ICS section, see the tabs in Appendix A.)

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Components
Normally Prepared By

Common Components

Incident Objectives

Incident Commander

Organization List or Chart

Resources Unit

Assignment List

Resources Unit

Communications Plan

Communications Unit

Logistics Plan

Logistics Unit

Responder Medical Plan

Medical Unit

Incident Map

Situation Unit

Health and Safety Plan

Safety Officer

Other Potential Components
(Scenario dependent)

Air Operations Summary

Air Operations

Traffic Plan

Ground Support Unit

Decontamination Plan

Technical Specialist

Waste Management or Disposal Plan

Technical Specialist

Demobilization Plan

Demobilization Unit

Operational Medical Plan

Technical Specialist

Evacuation Plan

Technical Specialist

Site Security Plan

Law Enforcement Specialist

Investigative Plan

Law Enforcement Specialist

Evidence Recovery Plan

Law Enforcement Specialist

Other