a disciplined approach to emergency management incident command system stafford reid enviroemerg...

A Disciplined Approach to Emergency Management

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

Stafford ReidEnviroEmerg ConsultingDuncan, British Columbia

CANADAEnviroEmerg.ca

http://web.mac.com/enviroemerg

A Disciplined Approach

This presentation focuses on a disciplined approach to emergency

management for all threats and for all scales using the application

of the Incident Command System (ICS) as an example.

There are a variety of emergency management systems that are a disciplinary approach that promotes responder safety and effective response.

A Disciplined Approach - the benefits

A disciplined approach to emergency management:

Protects responder safety;

Gets the critical goods and services to the people that need it;

Fosters relationships and respect within the Response Community, and

Builds both capability and capacity in emergency preparedness.

A Disciplined Approach - the last furlong

In the hierarchy of emergency management, the greatest level of discipline is required among those people actually managing the incident at the “site” and those providing the tactical delivery of critical goods and services to affected stakeholders “in the field”.

This distance can be viewed to as the “Last Furlong” in emergency response.

Incident Management(Site)

Incident and Tactical Response (Field)

A Disciplined Approach - the last furlong

In horse racing, the last furlong is the final stretch of the race that is the most challenging to horse and rider.

In battle, the last furlong is the dangerous ground soldiers bolt over to overcome the enemy.

In emergencies, the last furlong is the final steps to provide critical goods and services to affected people, business and/or environments.

“The Last Furlong” emphasizes these are tough, dangerous, demanding places to work and requires a high degree of discipline to focus on the objectives and getting

the job done.

A Disciplined Approach – emergency hierarchy

POLICY GROUP(Executive)


EMERGENCY SUPPORTEmergency Coordination Centre


EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (SITE)Incident Command Post


FIELDTactical Operations


The Last Furlong!

A Disciplined Approach - integrated response

Direct supervision of field personnel (e.g. field crews) occurs

Development of incident objectives and response strategies occur

Integration with other government jurisdictions and the Responsible Party (Spiller) occurs

The “site” and “field” are where…..

The Last Furlong









A Disciplined Approach - performance based

Highest level of performance accountability

Highest level of response organization

The greatest potential for failure

The greatest potential for success

The Last Furlong

As such, the “site” and “field” are the…..









A Disciplined Approach – defining the problem

Routine spills, vehicle accidents, house fires generally initiate resource deployment from multiple dispatch centers such as for:

Fire Police Ambulance Towing Public Works

Which can result in

PROBLEM #1 – Convergence without Incident Management

Field


LITTLE OR NO INTEGRATED FIELD TACTICS. INCIDENT MANAGEMENT IS OFTEN MISSING OR POORLY DEFINED

FIELD – Tactical DeliveryFire Truck & Fire Fighters, Ambulance and Attendants, Police Car and Police, Hazmat Truck and Hazardous Material Specialists, Tow-truck and operator

FIELD – Tactical DeliveryFire Truck & Fire Fighters, Ambulance and Attendants, Police Car and Police, Hazmat Truck and Hazardous Material Specialists, Tow-truck and operator

DispatchDispatch

Fire

DispatchDispatch

Ambulance

DispatchDispatch

Police

DispatchDispatch

Public Works

WHERE IS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT??

PROBLEM #1 – Convergence without Incident Management Cont…

Support

Site Management

FIELD SITE

Where is the ….

• Incident Commander?

• Staging Area?

• Safety Officer?

• Control Zones?

PROBLEM #1 – Convergence without Incident Management Cont…


Convergence of resources does not equal integration of response activities nor a disciplined approach to emergency management


PROBLEM #2 – Delivering Incident Management at a Support-level Emergency Centre

Large, complex events such as a flood, train derailment, earthquake can result in each responding agency - and for spills the Responsible Party – managing the incident from their respective Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) located at their headquarters and/or regional office.


FIELD OPERATIONSResponding people and equipment providing goods and services

to affected stakeholders and the environment

Local Government

Emergency Operations

[Coordination] Centre

RegionalGovernment



Federal Government



Responsible Party (Spiller)



PROBLEM #2 – Delivering Incident Management at a Support-level Emergency Coordination Centre Cont…

Limited liaison between centers

Tactical personnel responding without strategic direction

WHERE IS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT??

Support

Site Management

Field

A Disciplined Approach - whether large or small events

Local Government

RegionalGovernment

Federal Government

First Nations

Responsible Party (Spiller)

Policy Group

Policy Group

Policy Group

Policy Group

Policy Group











INCIDENT COMMAND POST

FIELD OPERATIONS

Responding people and equipment providing goods and services to affected stakeholders and the environment

The Last Furlong

Support

Site Management

THIS IS WHERE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT OCCURS

A Disciplined Approach – environmental emergencies

Managing emergencies has two fundamental challenges:

to make the environment or community whole again by striving for a net environmental and social benefit, and

to make the affected community whole again by recognizing and respecting local values.

These challenges have be achieved by people you have may never have met before, with limited resources, and under political/corporate pressure

A Disciplined Approach – key elements for success

Discipline and going the last furlong requires responders:

To establish an Incident Commander.

To work together as a single Incident Management Team.

To apply an incident organization and protocols that are fully understood.

A Disciplined Approach – incident command post

Three fundamental features delineate an Incident Command Post:

1. The first line of communication and supervision to field personnel;

2. Where tactical (operational) planning and decisions are undertaken; and

3. Where command is established among multiple participating agencies and Responsible Party (spiller).

Incident Command Post Icon

It is important to title and use a facility according to what it does - not its location

or pre-designations.

A Disciplined Approach – incident command post

Some common issues in ensuring a disciplined approach to emergency management are:

Understanding that the “First Responder” is often the “Incident Commander”;

Designating an ICP such as with a green flashing light, green marker cones, green signage, green vest of the Incident Commander, or combinations thereof.

Realizing that the first ICP may not be appropriately located or too small, and

Understanding that the ICP and the people therein manage the incident, not the consequences.

A “roving” Incident Commander is not a disciplined approach to emergency management.


An Incident Command Post can be:

A Spot on the Ground

A Vehicle

A Command Post Trailer

A Building

Incident Management can be:

A single Incident Commander

Several Incident Commanders

A team of responders

Regardless of the size and complexity of the incident, there must always be incident management at the site to guide field operations - hence an Incident Commander is always need.

THE APPLICATION OF A DISCIPLINE APPROACH ESSENTIALLY BEGINS WITH THE INCIDENT COMMANDER


FIELD–Tactical Operations

Incident Command Post

Incident Management Team

Incident Management System

SITE–Incident Management

Field Situation Information

Tactical Direction

INCIDENT ACTION PLAN

SITE SUPPORT FROM EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTERS

Resources:

People & Equipment

A Disciplined Approach – using the incident command system

The definition of the Incident Command System - commonly referred to as the ICS:

The ICS is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management organization deployed at the site of an incident to directly supervise field operations. It is a flexible, scalable response organization providing a common framework within which people can work together effectively.

These people may be drawn from multiple agencies, companies, departments that do not

necessarily routinely work together - or even met before

A Disciplined Approach - the ICS is a tool for response

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a tool for the command, control and coordination of resources during an activity or incident.

It consists of procedures for organizing personnel, facilities, equipment, and communications.

ICS affects all aspects of emergency management

A Disciplined Approach – incident command system

The Incident Command System is an internationally proven emergency management system that is delivered at the Incident Command Post at the site-level. The ICS:

Establishes the organization of an Incident Management Team; Systematically gathers field information, evaluates it, and prepares

situation reports; Develops incident action plans and response objectives Tasks and supervises field responders; Fosters integration and cooperation with responding agencies and the

Responsible Party.

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM Organization at an Incident Command Post

ICS has a standardized functional names, positions, reporting relationships and missions.

Only the staffing and functions needed are invoked based on the demands of the incident.

ICS has a standardized functional names, positions, reporting relationships and missions.

Only the staffing and functions needed are invoked based on the demands of the incident.

The organization under the Operations Section is developed in accordance to the tactical needs of the incident and responding agencies.

The organization under the Operations Section is developed in accordance to the tactical needs of the incident and responding agencies.

There is always an Incident Commander

There is always an Incident Commander

Main functional areas in ICS to foster convergence and integration

Main functional areas in ICS to foster convergence and integration

Environmental Unit**

** An Environmental Unit is not universally applied to ICS but is becoming more common to foster government/stakeholder integration for establishing response priorities

A Disciplined Approach - building capacity

With ICS, combining personnel from multiple agencies and with the Responsible Party – and its contractors/consultants – can occur anywhere within the ICS organization to create an integrated Incident Management Team.

This attribute of ICS builds capacity.

With ICS, combining personnel from multiple agencies and with the Responsible Party – and its contractors/consultants – can occur anywhere within the ICS organization to create an integrated Incident Management Team.

This attribute of ICS builds capacity.

A Disciplined Approach – ICS responder tasks & deliverables

Within the ICS system, is very defined process for each responder according to and by function. For each function, a responder is provided:

A primary duty; Who he/she is reports to; Who is supervised; List of tasks and responsibilities; Products required and when (deliverables); What meetings to attend and when; Colour designations for vest; Where to be stationed, and more.

A Disciplined Approach – unified command

“Unified Command” is a corner stone of the Incident Command System that addresses the question:

How do we work together?**

** Contrary to old school thinking of “Whose in Charge?”

A Disciplined Approach - Foundation of Unified Command

The foundation of Unified Command is “Respect”

Choosing or acceptance of a candidate for unified command is not necessarily based on “who has the most authority” or “the biggest toys.” It is based on who has the mission to protect people, property and the environment AND/OR who as a “governance” accountability to ensure their constituent or corporate interests are being met.


A team effort which allows all agencies with responsibility for the incident to jointly provide management direction to an incident through a common set of incident

objectives and strategies established at the command level.

Definition of Unified Command

This is accomplished without any participating agency and company abrogating their

legislated responsibilities or accountabilities


An Integrated Incident Management Team at site

INCIDENT COMMAND POST

Incident – fire, flood, spill, etc - affects more than one jurisdiction or involves a Responsible Party (spiller)

FIELD – Tactical Delivery

Tactical Direction and Supervision

Field Observations and Information Gathering

Support from each agencies respective Emergency Operations Center

B CA

Responsible Party(Spiller)

Under unified command, their is recognition that the representative (agency and/or Responsible Party) with majority role is the “spokesperson” for unified command and has the major decision-making weight.

Major role is based o: 1) tactical resources available, 2) who is paying for the response, 3) or both. The majority role can change over as the incident evolves.

Example: Structural Fire involving hazardous materials, the spokesperson “majority” weight during:

•fire-fighting phase: local government Fire Chief (has mandate and tactical resources•haz-mat mitigation phase: Responsible Party (has responsibility and paying the cost).

A Disciplined Approach - unified command protocol


Situation Briefing of Incident Commanders

Local Government

Responsible Party

(Spiller)

ProvincialGovernment

FederalGovernment

FirstNations

One set of objectives for the entire incident and a collective approach to developing response strategies.

Improved information flow and coordination between all jurisdictions and agencies involved in the incident.

No agency’s or company’s authority or legal requirements compromised or neglected.

Each agency and company is fully aware of the plans, actions, and constraints of all others.

The combined efforts of all agencies and private-sector is optimized as they perform their respective assignments under a single Incident Action Plan.

Duplicative efforts are reduced or eliminated reducing cost and chances for frustration and conflict.

Advantages of Unified Command

A Disciplined Approach - advantages of unified command

When arriving on site, it is important to delineate your role as either an:

Incident Commander,

IMT position (Officer, Chief, Director, Leader)

Technical Specialist (Shoreline Assessment, Fire Behavour, Meteorologist),

Tactical Operations (Supervisor, Worker)

Are you: representing, monitoring, advising, authorizing, spending, directing?????

A Disciplined Approach - arriving on site

A Disciplined Approach - getting bigger …. faster

The Incident Command System facilitates getting bigger faster, but there is a common perception that response management only designed for small geographically confined events.

NOT TRUE…

Response management can range from a single, confined incident – house fire, vehicle accident, crime scene to a wide-spread, multi-incident event such as a forest fire, flood, or severe storm.

A Disciplined Approach - geographically wide-spread events

To effectively address wide-spread, multiple incidents there are two fundamental approaches either:

1. Build a robust organization by invoking “Functional Operations” “Branches, Divisions, Groups or

2. Establish multiple Incident Command Posts.

MAKING THE STRATEGIC CHOICE AND BUILDING THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR COMPLEX INCIDENTS IS WELL-DEFINED IN ICS, BUT POORLY

UNDERSTOOD AND RARELY IMPLEMENTED.

The biggest challenge for a geographically wide-spread event is for fire, police, ambulance and other local responders to

establish an Incident Command Post located out of the chaos. It takes discipline to “step-away” from tactics to ensuring a robust

management structure.

A Disciplined Approach – summary

Deals with the "emotional" and "trust" aspects first, before getting to content;

Recognize the first response from dispatch centers does not equate to managing the entire incident - nevertheless, its takes only a few qualified people to make things happen.

Understand the differences between managing the “incident” versus managing the “consequences”.

A “lead agency” by mandate or “Responsible Party” does not necessary equate to leadership or capability - but still entitled to respect.


A lead government agency or corporate representation in Command means guiding ALL their respective government/companies integration and performance;

The degree of government/industry integration doesn't have to last forever, but the respect, rules of engagement do.

How well emergency management from a relationship - not tactical - standpoint will largely influence incident follow-up activities and future events. (Don’t burn bridges).

When arriving on site, clearly delineate your role as either an: Incident Commander, IMT position, technical specialist, tactical operations (look like the position).

Look out for "committees" - particularly in the Planning - that look at emergency issues in consecutively rather than concurrently.

All members within an Incident Management Team must have both representation and accountability to an Incident Commander. Its the only way to get rid of an “AO”


Established site management regardless of the size or complexity of the incident (Invoke an Incident Commander).

Converge at the site (Incident Command Post) first - not in the field – to obtain situation briefing, safety orientation, develop incident objectives and response strategies.

Foster a pattern, attitude and philosophy of unified command and an integrating Incident Management Team (Share the Responsibility).

Recognize that the “spokesperson” for a unified command can change as the incident unfolds.

Ensure supporting emergency coordination centers do not become tactical in nature.

Establish joint government/industry incident objectives and response strategies at the site based on field observations, stakeholder consultations, and technical specialists.


Write common incident messages for the public and situation reports for policy groups (One message: One evaluation).

Strive for efficiency within the incident management organization (Be hard on process, easy on people).

For escalating emergencies, grow bigger faster.

For complex incidents – geographically wide-spread and/or multiple events – either build the organization under “Operations OR establish more than one Incident Command Post.

Don’t relinquish a “command role” just because your “tactical” function is completed, there may still be a need for jurisdictional representation.

An integrated Incident Management Team:

•Company (RP)

•Response Contractors

•Regional Government

•Local Government

•Federal Government

Stafford ReidEnviroEmergConsulting

A Disciplined Approach - thank you

a disciplined approach to emergency management incident command system stafford reid enviroemerg...

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