Video Transcript

As you learned in the previous lesson, ICS is based on proven NIMS management principles, which contribute to the strength and efficiency of the overall system.

ICS incorporates a wide range of management features and principles, beginning with the use of common terminology.

[David Burns, Emergency Preparedness Manager, University of California Los Angeles] Communication is probably one of the most essential elements of ICS. It’s important that we know how to communicate.

[Daryl Lee Spiewak, Former Emergency Programs Manager, the Brazos River Authority] If the terms that I use mean different things to different people, we’re going to have a hard time communicating and doing what needs to be done to accomplish our mission.

ICS emphasizes effective planning, including management by objectives and reliance on an Incident Action Plan.

[Roberta Runge, EPA National NIMS Coordinator] You have to coordinate on what your end objective is. All up and down the chain you have to have a common end goal. So you can establish your objectives, you can ensure they’re in the Incident Action Plan, and you can ensure that they are in agreement.

ICS employs a modular organizational structure that can be tailored based on the size, complexity and hazards of an incident. Command of this organization is established under a single Incident Commander or a Unified Command.

The ICS features related to command structure include chain of command and unity of command.

[Bill Campbell, Former Director of Training, New York State Emergency Management Office] One of the benefits is it gets all of the different organizations working under the same framework.

ICS helps ensure full utilization of all incident resources by:

• Maintaining a manageable span of control,
• Establishing designated incident facilities and locations,
• Implementing comprehensive resource management practices
• Defining clear processes for dispatch/ deployment of resources, and
• Ensuring integrated communications.

ICS supports responders and decision makers through effective information and intelligence management.

[Kristy Plourde, Emergency Management Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard] The common operating picture is a critical thing that the Coast Guard has been working hard on recently for ourselves because it’s something that helps us maintain a better operational picture and it’s more consistent across the board, everyone up and down the chain of command and across to other agencies understand the same picture.

ICS counts on each of us taking personal accountability for our own actions. And finally, the mobilization process helps ensure that incident objectives can be achieved while responders remain safe.

[Kristy Plourde, Emergency Management Specialist, U.S. Coast Guard] To have NIMS work effectively, it’s got to be top-down support.

The NIMS Management Characteristics covered in this lesson form the basis for effective, team-based incident response under the Incident Command System (ICS).