What is the Incident Command System?

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized approach to incident management that:

  • Is used for all kinds of incidents by all types of organizations and at all levels of government; ICS is applicable to small incidents as well as large and complex ones.
  • Can be used not only for emergencies, but also for planned events.
  • Enables a coordinated response among various jurisdictions and agencies.
  • Establishes common processes for incident-level planning and resource management.
  • Allows for the integration of resources (such as facilities, equipment, personnel) within a common organizational structure.
Four photos. Photo 1 is police officer, photo 2 is fire fighter. Photo3 is Emergency Medical Technicion in ambulance with patient. Photo 4 is a power truck with a technician working on power pole.