ICS

INCIDENT COMMAND
SYSTEM
EXECUTIVE COURSE

TRAINEE’S MANUAL
 ICS EXECUTIVE COURSE 2018

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM EXECUTIVE

COURSE
TRAINEE’S MANUAL

BACKGROUND
Following the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Law, on 27 May 2010, the Philippine
government took a proactive approach to manage the disaster consequences and reduce
disaster risks by institutionalizing various mechanisms. Among these is the Incident
Command System (ICS).

Incident Command System (ICS) is one of the flagship programs of the Office of Civil
Defense (OCD). As provided for in RA 10121, the NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No. 4
s 2012 and the Executive Order No. 82 s 2012, ICS has been institutionalized as an on-
scene disaster response tool of the Philippine DRRM System. ICS is a standard, on-
scene, all-hazard incident management concept introduced by the US Forest Service that
can be used by all DRRM Councils, emergency management and response agencies. It is
a disaster response tool that coordinates the actions of all response groups.

ICS has been proven effective in managing potential and actual disaster consequences. It
has significantly enhanced the mechanisms for resource management, reporting and
documentation, promotion of responder safety, and optimum achievement of response
objectives as evident in past major disaster response operations to include management
of planned high-density population gatherings.

To develop better appreciation and understanding of ICS at the management level, there
is a need to conduct an executive course, designed as a crash-course which shall highlight
the core principles, features and functions of ICS. Hence, the conduct of One-Day ICS
Executive Course is proposed.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE
At the end of the training, the participants will be able to obtain the knowledge, skills and
attitude required when it comes to the application of the general concepts and principles of
ICS from manager’s point of view.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the training, the participants will be able to:
1. Explain the concept of ICS, its background, overview, principles and features;
2. Describe the ICS organization;
3. Determine the ICS facilities;
4. Learn how to manage planned events and major incidents; and
5. Describe the common responsibilities for any ICS practitioner.

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DURATION
One (1) day training

MODULE DESCRIPTIONS
MODULES DESCRIPTIONS
Module 1: This module is an introduction to the concept of ICS, highlighting its
Introduction to ICS background and development as well as the key features and
principles.

Module 2: ICS This module presents the composition of the ICS organization and
Organization the roles and responsibilities of the members of the Incident
Management Team.

Module 3: ICS This module emphasizes the basic ICS facilities, their uses and
Facilities map symbols.

Module 4: Managing This module underscores the considerations for managing planned
Planned Events and events and major incidents using a number of incident
Incidents management options.

Module 5: Common This module is about the communication responsibilities that any
Responsibilities ICS practitioner must be aware of.

TEACHING-LEARNING METHODOLOGIES
 Interactive lecture/discussion
 Structured Learning Exercises

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PROGRAM
TIME PARTICULARS
0800H - 0830H Registration
0830H - 0900H Opening Program
0900H - 0930H Course Overview
0930H - 0945H AM Break
0945H - 1200H Module 1: Introduction to ICS
1200H – 1300H Lunch Break
1300H - 1430H Module 2: ICS Organization and Staffing
1430H - 1530H Module 3: ICS Facilities
1530H - 1545H PM Break
1545H - 1715H Module 4: Managing Planned Events and Major Incidents
1715H - 1745H Module 5: Common Responsibilities
1745H – 1800H Course Evaluation and Closing Program
1800H End of Training

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MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO ICS

MODULE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
1. Determine lessons from past incidents that led to the development of ICS;
2. Explain the overview of ICS;
3. Explain the key principles and features of ICS; and
4. Determine actual ICS success stories.

Lessons from Past Incidents

Overview of ICS

Definition of ICS

 ICS is a standard, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept that can be

used by all response groups.
 ICS allows users to adopt an integrated organizational structure for response.

Legal Basis: Republic Act 10121

 Section 9 (g): The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) shall formulate standard operating
procedures for coordination.
 Rule 7 (h), Implementing Rules and Regulations: The OCD shall establish ICS as
part of the Philippines’ on- scene disaster response system.

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Institutionalization Timelines

Regional and Local Institutionalization

Regional and local DMRRCs formulated issuances to institutionalize ICS in their

respective areas.

Purpose of ICS

Benefits of ICS

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Countries using ICS

Full implementation: In transition:

 United States  China
 Canada  Bhutan
 Australia  India
 New Zealand  Sri Lanka
 Mexico  Indonesia
 Philippines
 Thailand
 Brunei Darussalam
 Ethiopia
 Ghana
 Latin American Countries

Principles and Features of ICS

Common Terminology

Use clear text (plain language).

Do not use radio codes, agency- specific codes, acronyms, or other jargons.

Modular Organization

“Form follows function”

Only functions/ positions necessary for the incident will be activated.

Span of Control

Ideal span of control for any supervisor: 3 to 7 subordinates

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Chain of Command and Unity of Command

There should be an orderly line of authority.

Accountability

When on-scene, always “check-in.”

Incident Action Plan

Response goals, objectives and support activities are indicated in the Incident Action Plan.

ICS Forms and Tools

ICS has a variety of tools, including forms, to help standardize procedures and
documentation.

ICS Success Stories

 Black Nazarene Traslacion (since 2013)

 Typhoon Ruby (2014)
 APEC Meetings (2015)
 Mt Apo Fire Incident (2016)
 Marawi Crisis (2017)
 ASEAN 50 (2017)

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NOTES
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MODULE 2: ICS ORGANIZATION

MODULE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this module, the participants will be able to:
1. Explain the roles of the Responsible Official in ICS; and
2. Discuss the ICS organization as well as the composition of the Incident
Management Team.

Roles of Responsible Official

Responsible Official (RO): Person vested with overall decision-making authority such as:
 Local Chief Executive
 Department Secretary
 Head of Agency/ Organization / Office
 Chairperson of DRRMC
Roles:
 Provides overall policy direction, guidance and priorities
 Serves as link to other higher authorities
 Delegates authority to Incident Commander

ICS Organization

 ICS organization begins with the IC

 The IC may designate Command Staff to provide information, liaison, and safety
services.
 As the incident expands in complexity, the IC may add General Staff Sections.

Incident Management Team

Composed of the Incident Commander and appropriate Command and General Staff

Incident Commander (IC)

 Receives authority from the RO

 Sets incident objectives
 Leads the tactical incident response
 Note: First responder is automatically the IC.

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Functional Responsibilities

IC performs all ICS functions until additional positions are filled.

Command Staff

Public Information Officer (PIO)

 Focal person for information dissemination

 Works closely with other PIOs and the media

Liaison Officer (LOFR)

Contact point for representatives of assisting and cooperating agencies

Safety Officer (SOFR)

 Anticipates, detects, and corrects unsafe situations

 Has emergency authority to stop unsafe operations

General Staff

Operations Section

 Directs execution of all tactical operations

 Usually the first organization assigned to the incident
 Headed by Operations Section Chief (OSC)

Planning Section

 Collects, evaluates and processes information

 Develops Incident Action Plan
 Maintains situation and resource status
 Headed by Planning Section Chief (PSC)

Logistics Section

 Provides resources and all other services to support the responders

 Headed by Logistics Section Chief (LSC)

Finance/ Administration Section

 Monitors incident costs

 Maintains financial records
 Administers procurement contracts
 Performs time recording
 Headed by Finance/Admin Section Chief (FSC)

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NOTES
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MODULE 3: ICS FACILITIES

MODULE OBJECTIVE
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to describe the facilities used in
ICS, their purposes and appropriate map symbols.

Factors to Consider when Establishing ICS Facilities

 Needs of the incident

 Length of time the facility will be used
 Cost to establish the facility
 Environmental considerations

Incident Command Post (ICP)

 Location for primary command functions

 Facility dedicated for the IC
 Only one ICP for every incident

Staging Area(s)

 Location of resources waiting for assignments and ready for mobilization

 May have several Staging Areas

Base

 Location for out-of-service equipment (for repair) and personnel (for medication)
 Only one Base for every incident

Camp(s)

 Temporary location to provide services for responders (accommodation, food,

water, sanitary services, etc.)
 May have several Camps

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Helibase

Location where helicopters and air assets may be parked, maintained, fueled, and loaded.

Helispot(s)

 Temporary locations where helicopters and air assets can safely land and take off
 Used to load or off-load personnel, equipment, and supplies
 May have several Helispots

Other Facilities
 Camps for displaced persons
 Warehouse for inventory of donations of supplies, etc.
 Security/Safety facilities
 Morgue for Disaster Victim Identification

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NOTES
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 ICS EXECUTIVE COURSE 2018

MODULE 4: MANAGING PLANNED EVENTS AND

INCIDENTS
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this module, the participants will be able to:
1. Describe the use of ICS for managing planned events and incidents; and
2. Discuss the various incident management options.

Planned Events: Planned events are organized gatherings such as parades, fiestas,
concerts, conferences, and other events usually characterized by having high-density
population of audiences or attendees requiring security services.

Use of ICS for Planned Events

 Disasters/ incidents may threaten the lives of the attendees to the event.
 ICS helps to properly organize and preposition responders in anticipation of
disasters/ incidents.

Major Incidents

 May start as major incidents (typhoons)

 May occur with little or no advanced warning (earthquakes, flash floods, bombing)
 May start as small but has potential to grow (oil spill, SARS)

Organizing ICS for Major Incidents

1. Size up the situation

2. Assess if lives are at risk
3. Establish objectives
4. Establish ICS Organization (IMT)
5. Determine and account resource needs
6. Develop Incident Action Plan (IAP)
7. Execute and monitor work progress

Incident Management Options

Single Command

 ICS organization with single IC

 Applies during initial response

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Unified Command

 Allows different agencies/ organizations with responsibility for the incident to jointly
provide management direction
 Composed of several ICs from different agencies who work on an agreed and
common set of incident objectives
 Unified Command Applications

Incident Complex

 Applies to two or more incidents located in the same general proximity managed by
a single IMT
 Examples for Incident Complex
o Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, in the same area
o Several separate forest fires burning in close proximity
o Many separate incidents occurring simultaneously

Single Incident Divided

 Incident becomes too large and spreads to more than one jurisdiction.
 As the incident spreads, different objectives must be accomplished in different
areas, thereby requiring more IMTs.
 Example: Flooding Incident divided into Two Incidents
o Initially, flooded area was only in City A and an IMT was established.
o The flood spread to City B and City C.
o Incident is now too large and too complex for single IMT. Two
IMTs are required.

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Area Command

An IMT functions as Area Command Team to:

 Oversee management of multiple incidents by multiple IMTs; or
 Oversee multiple IMTs managing a single very large incident

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MODULE 5: COMMON RESPONSIBILITIES

MODULE OBJECTIVE
Upon completion of this module, the participants will be able to explain the common
responsibilities that are expected to be undertaken by all ICS practitioners.

Dispatch/ Deployment

 Only deploy to an incident when requested or when authorized.

 Receive a complete deployment briefing.

Check-in

Purposes of Check-in

 Ensures accountability
 Prepares personnel for assignments
 Locates personnel
 Helps to plan for demobilization

Check-in Procedures

Responders must check-in only ONCE at the AUTHORIZED LOCATION such as:
 Incident Command Post
 Base
 Camp
 Staging Area
 Helibase

Initial Incident Briefing

 Current situation updates

 Incident objectives
 Work assignments
 Location of work area
 Procedures for obtaining additional resources
 Possible hazards and safety procedures

Accountability

 Maintain chain of command and unity of command

 Take direction from a single supervisor
 Observe buddy-buddy system
 Follow the objectives in the IAP
 Communicate using clear text and plain language

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Transfer of Command

Transfer of Command is the process of moving the responsibility of incident command

from one IC to another.

Why Transfer Command?

 Another agency is legally required to take command

 For effectiveness or efficiency
 Incident complexity changes
 To relieve personnel
 For personal emergencies
 RO directs a change in command

Transfer of Command Procedures

 Transfer of command should take place face-to-face

 Include a complete briefing
 The effective time and date of the transfer should be communicated

Demobilization

Demobilization refers to the release and return of resources that are no longer required for
the support of an incident/event.

Demobilization Procedures

 Complete work assignments

 Finalize reports
 Brief replacements
 Evaluate performance
 Return supplies, as appropriate
 Settle administration issues
 Notify your unit re home arrival

Close-out Meeting between RO and IMT

 Incident summary and actions taken

 Major events that transpired
 Documentation/ report turnover
 Issues and concerns
 Evaluation of performance by the IMT

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NOTES
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