Chapter 2: Incident Command System

any different organizations participate in the response to a disaster. The Incident Command System (ICS) provides a common organizational structure and language that allows different kinds of agencies, and/or multiple jurisdictions of similar agencies
to work together effectively in response to a disaster.

ICS Structure and Hierarchy

The organizational structure of ICS is built around five major management activities. Note: Not all activities are used for every disaster. Incident command Operations Planning Logistics Financial/administrative Functional requirements, not titles, determine ICS hierarchy.

Important Principles

1. An important part of disaster planning is the identification of the incident commander and other key positions BEFORE a disaster occurs.
2. ICS must be started early, before an incident gets out of control.
3. Medical and public health responders, often used to working independently, must adhere to the structure of the ICS in order to avoid potentially negative consequences, including:
   • Death of personnel due to lack of training
   • Lack of adequate supplies to provide care
   • Staff working beyond their training or certification
4. The structure of ICS is the same regardless of the nature of the disaster. The only difference is in the particular experience of key personnel and the extent of the ICS utilized in a particular disaster.

ICS allows integration of fire, police, and EMS assets, as shown here in this disaster drill on Boston City Hall Plaza