Incident Command System

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Many of the definitions and structure of this ICS map were taken from the

United States Coast Guard 2000 Field Operations Guide (FOG Manual)

Be sure to check these other valuable resources when studying an ICS

National Interagency Incident Management System

Fire Service Incident Command System

Fire ICS

Oil Spill And HazMat

Incident Command System

Five Major Functions of an

Incident Command System

Incident Management System

ICS / IMS

An incident command or management system has five major functional areas, four of which may or may not be established depending on incident complexity. Partial establishment of any or all sections may also be established depending on the scope of the response and the mission of the responders. The ICS has the ability to expand and contract according to the demands of the incident. All Incidents will always have an Incident Commander, who may establish the Operations, Planning, Logistics and Finance / Administration sections. When these positions are established, an individual is designated as the chief and reports directly to the IC. When these positions are not established the IC assumes the responsibility for these positions. In addition the IC may establish three command staff positions, Safety Officer, Liaison Officer and Public Information Officer to assist with the incident management. These positions are not considered in the “Span Of Control” guidelines. During incidents involving long operational periods or other agencies these functions should be established.

IC

The Incident Commander or the Unified Command, made up of the Commanders from assisting agencies, is responsible for developing the strategic goals for the control of an incident. This, may be the Chief, Officer, Captain, or a Firefighter, depending on the staffing of the fire department or other agency that responds. The Incident Commander has the authority to request and assign resources to an incident, establish functional areas to control the incident, and the responsibility for the safety of all the responders. The Incident Commander manages the incident, not the tactics. The IC approves an Incident Action Plan or IAP developed for management of the incident.
Unified Command

The Unified Command is used to manage the response to an incident involving multiple response agencies or when multiple jurisdictions are involved in the management of an incident. Unified Command will have only one Incident Commander who will assume ultimate responsibility for management of the incident. It also allows for agencies with jurisdiction to be part of the command structure or team.
Safety Officer

The Safety Officer is responsible for all responders at an incident and reports directly to the IC. The Safety Officer has the authority to stop any activities that pose an immediate danger to incident responders. All other safety issues are channeled through the IC. For large-scale incidents the Safety Officer will develop an Incident Safety Plan to be incorporated into the IAP.
Liaison Officer

The Liaison Officer is responsible for the communications and contact between other agencies that respond to the incident. These may include State or Federal Environmental Protection Agencies, Law Enforcement, Utilities, Transportation, and other Federal or State government agencies. This position is especially important for long duration, Hazardous Materials (HazMat), Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI), or Oil Spill Incidents.
Public Information Officer – PIO

The PIO is responsible for providing factual and accurate information to the public and news media. Only one PIO is appointed for each incident. This position is very important for incidents involving evacuation of people or an unusual event. The news media is a valuable tool for conducting evacuation operations.
Operations Section

The Operations Section Chief is responsible for implementing the tactical assignments to meet the strategic goals established by the Incident Commander. The Operations Section Chief bears the responsibility for the establishment of the RIT. The Operations Section Chief reports directly to the Incident Commander. Depending on the size or complexity of the incident, the Operations Section may be a single unit or a number of Branches or Divisions.
Staging

Staging is part of the Operations Section under the direct control of the Operations Section Chief with the assistance of the Staging Area Manager. All apparatus and personnel assigned to staging are committed to the incident and must be available for deployment within three minutes.
RIT – Rapid Intervention Team

The RIT is under Direct Control of the Operations Section Chief and their primary function is for the safety and rescue of personnel involved with the incident. The RIT will not be assigned any other functions involved with the incident. They must have all of the tools and equipment available and ready for deployment immediately if the need arises. Personnel assigned to RIT must monitor the status of all responders, either by visual contact or radio frequency monitoring, and to assess the locations of those responders, in the event that a “MAYDAY” is called. Depending on the size of the incident more than one RIT may be established and given either geographical designations, such as Alpha RIT, or functional designation, such as HazMat RIT, to perform specific rescue operations in differing portions within the incident. RIT teams that are assigned functional designation must be suited with the proper PPE and tools for type of rescue being attempted, such as “Level A Suits” for a HazMat response and “Turnouts” for a fire response.
Branches

Branches are command designations to maintain “Span Of Control” over Divisions, Groups and Sectors. Divisions and Sectors are an interchangeable title.
1. Branch Director

The Branch Director, when activated is under direction of the a Section Chief, and is responsible for implementing the portion of the IAP appropriate to Branches. They also oversee Group Supervisors within the Span Of Control guidelines. Most Branch Directors report to their respective Section Chiefs.

Recovery And Protection Branch Director

The Recovery And Protection Branch Director is responsible to oversee and implement the protection, containment, and cleanup activities established in the IAP. The Recovery and Protection Branch Director reports to the Operations Section Chief.

Emergency Response Branch Director

The Emergency Response Branch Director has primary responsibility for overseeing and implementing emergency measures to protect life, mitigate further damage to the environment, and stabilize the situation. The Emergency Response Branch Director reports to the Operations Section Chief.

Air operations Branch Director

The Air Operations Branch Director, who is primarily ground based, has responsibility for preparing and administrating the air operations portion of the IAP. The IAP will reflect agency restrictions such as night flying or hours per pilot that impact the operational capabilities or use of the resources. After the IAP is approved the Air Operations Branch Director is responsible for implementing its strategic aspects ( those that relate to the overall incident strategy as opposed to those that pertain to tactical operations like specific target selection ). Additionally the Air Operations Branch Director is responsible for providing logistical support to helicopters assigned to the incident. Specific tactical activities including target selection, or suggested modifications to specific tactical actions in the IAP, are normally performed by the Air Tactical Group Supervisor working with ground and air resources. Another responsibility is to request declaration or cancellation of restricted air space areas.

Wildlife Branch

The Wildlife Branch Director is responsible for minimizing wildlife losses during spill responses; coordinating early aerial and ground reconnaissance of wildlife at the spill site, and reporting results to the Situation Unit Leader; employing wildlife hazing measures as authorized in the Incident Action Plan; and recovering and rehabilitating impacted wildlife. A central wildlife processing center should be identified and maintained for: evidence tagging, transportation, veterinary services, treatment and rehabilitation, storage, and other support needs. The activities of private wildlife care groups, including those employed by the responsible party, will be overseen and coordinated by the Wildlife Branch Director.

Division

The Division is responsible for all operations within an assigned geographical area. Divisions may include Task Forces, Strike Teams, and Single Resources. At structural Incidents this may be designated as floors or levels of buildings. In other types of incidents this also may defined by streets, city boundaries, waterways, etc… or even by zones as in a HazMat incident.

Division / Group Supervisor

The Division or Group supervisor reports to the Operations Section Chief or the Branch Director (when activated). The supervisor is responsible for implementing the assigned portion of the IAP, assigning resources within the division / group, identifying geographical area or function assigned to the division / group.

Group

The Group has primary responsibility for functions of Units that perform like kinds of tasks, i.e. Rescue, HazMat, etc… across geographical boundaries. Groups may include Task Forces, Strike Teams, and Single Resources.
1. SAR Search And Rescue
  Performs all search and rescue missions related to the incident.
2. Air Tactical Group
  Is under the management of the Air Tactical Supervisor and has primary responsibility for coordinating and scheduling aircraft activities including, location, tracking, survey, dispersant application and other response application technologies.
  1. Helicopter Coordinator
    Coordinates rotary wing aircraft assigned to the incident.
  2. Fixed Wing Coordinator
    Coordinates fixed wing aircraft assigned to the incident.
1. Air Support Group
  Provides support services for aircraft assigned to the incident, including fuel, maintenance and repair for helicopters.
2. Helibase Manager
  Manages activities at helibases associated with the incident.
3. Protection Group
  Has responsibility for containment, diversion and deploying absorbent boom.
4. On Water Recovery Group
  Pursues the recovery of product on water according to the IAP.
5. In-Situ Burn Operations Group
  Has responsibility for deploying in-situ burn operations on the incident. When aerial ignition is deployed, works closely with the air operation group.
6. Shoreside Recovery Group
  Under the Recovery and Protection Branch Director, the Shoreside Recovery Group Supervisor is responsible for managing shoreside cleanup operations in compliance with the Incident Action Plan. The group may be further divided into Strike Teams, Task Forces, and single resources.
7. Decon Group
  Under the Recovery and Protection Branch Director, the Decontamination Group Supervisor is responsible for decontamination of personnel and response equipment in compliance with approved statutes.
8. Disposal Group
  Under the Recovery and Protection Branch Director, the Disposal Group Supervisor is responsible for coordinating the on-site activities of personnel engaged in collecting, storing, transporting, or disposing of waste materials. Depending on the size and location of the spill, the disposal groups may be further divided into Strike Teams, Task Forces, and single resources.
9. Dispersants Group
  Deploys the use of dispersants when indicated by the IAP. (Oil Spill)
10. Source Control Group
  Under the direction of the Emergency Response Branch Director, the Salvage/Source Control Group Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and directing all salvage/source control activities related to the incident.
11. Fire Suppression Group
  Under the direction of the Emergency Response Branch Director, the Fire Suppression Group Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and directing all firefighting activities related to the incident.
12. HazMat Group
  Under the direction of the Emergency Response Branch Director, the HAZMAT Group Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and directing all hazardous materials activities related to the incident.
13. Medical / EMS Group
  Under the direction of the Emergency Response Branch Director, the Medical (EMS) Group Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and directing all emergency medical services related to the incident.
14. Law Enforcement Group
  Under the direction of the Emergency Response Branch Director, the Law Enforcement Group Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and directing all law enforcement activities related to the incident, including but not limited to, isolating the incident, crowd control, traffic control, evacuations, beach closures, and/or perimeter security.
15. Wildlife Recovery Group
  Under the direction of the Wildlife Branch Director, the Wildlife Recovery Group Supervisor is responsible for coordinating the search, collection, and field tagging of dead and live impacted wildlife and transporting them to processing center(s). This group should coordinate with Planning (Situation Unit) in conducting aerial and group surveys of wildlife in the vicinity of the spill. They should also deploy acoustic and visual wildlife hazing equipment, as needed.
16. Wildlife Rehab
  Under the direction of the Wildlife Branch Director, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Manager is responsible for receiving oiled wildlife at the processing center, recording essential information, collecting necessary samples, and conducting triage, stabilization, treatment, transport, and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife. The manager is responsible for assuring proper wildlife transportation to appropriate treatment centers for oiled animals requiring extended care and treatment.
Task Force

Any Combination of single resources assembled to perform an assignment. Task Forces may be made up of several different Types and Kinds of equipment or personnel.
Strike Team

Designation for a number of like Kinds or Types of resources assigned to perform a specific function within an incident.
Kind

What a Single Resource is designated. May be personnel or equipment.
Type

The specific capabilities of a Single Resource or a group of like resources. May be personnel or equipment.
Crew

A specific number of personnel designated to perform a function within an incident. For fires this number will usually consist of 2 to 10 members, for Oil Spill and HazMat the number of personnel may go as high as 25.
Single Resource

Personnel, Vehicle, or Vessel and required equipment to perform their specific function within the incident.
Planning Section

The Planning Section Chief is responsible for the development of an Incident Action Plan or IAP. This plan is based on evaluation of the information and particulars of an incident. The Planning Section is also responsible for tracking the status of all resources assigned to the incident.
The Planning Section provides the IC with situation status report updates. These reports detail what has happened at the incident, injuries, how the incident is being controlled, resources in use, and suggested actions for stabilization of the incident with input from the Operations Section. For large scale incidents or incidents of long duration the Planning Section, along with the Operations Section will develop an incident action plan for approval and use by the IC. These plans are for operational periods of eight to twelve hours in length.
1. Technical Specialists
  
  Technical Specialist are advisors with special skills needed to support the incident. Technical Specialists may be assigned anywhere in the ICS organization. If necessary, Technical Specialists may be formed into a separate unit. The Planning Section will maintain a list of available specialists and will assign them where needed. The following are example position descriptions for Technical Specialists that might be used during an oil spill response.
  1. Legal Specialist
    
    The Legal Specialist will act in an advisory capacity during an oil spill response.
  2. Human Resources Specialist
    
    The Human Resources Specialist is responsible for providing direct human resources services to the response organization, including ensuring compliance with all labor-related laws and regulations. If it is necessary to form a Human Resources Unit, it is normally in the Finance/Administration Section.
2. Environmental Unit
  
  The Environmental Unit Leader is responsible for environmental matters associated with the response, including strategic assessment, modeling, surveillance, and environmental monitoring and permitting. The Environmental Unit prepares environmental data for the Situation Unit. Technical Specialists frequently assigned to the Environmental Unit include the Scientific Support Coordinator and Specialists for Sampling, Response Technologies, Trajectory Analysis, Weather Forecast, Resources at Risk, Shoreline Cleanup Assessment, Historical/Cultural Resources, and Disposal.
  1. Scientific Support Coordinator
    
    The Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) is a technical specialist and is defined in the National Contingency Plan as the principal advisor to the FOSC for scientific issues. The SSC is responsible for providing expertise on chemical hazards, field observations, trajectory analysis, resources at risk, environmental tradeoffs of countermeasures and cleanup methods, and information management. The SSC is also charged with gaining consensus on scientific issues affecting the response, but ensuring that differing opinions within the scientific community are communicated to the Incident Command. The SSC is the point of contact for the Scientific Support Team from NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R). Additionally, the SSC is responsible for providing data on weather, tides, and currents, and other applicable environmental conditions. The SSC can serve as the Environmental Unit Leader.
  2. Sampling Specialist
    
    The Sampling Specialist is responsible for providing a sampling plan to coordinate collection, documentation, storage, transportation, and submittal of samples to appropriate laboratories for analysis or storage.
  3. Response Technologies Specialist.
    
    The Response Technologies Specialist is responsible for evaluating the opportunities to use various Response Technologies (RT), including mechanical containment and recovery, dispersant or other chemical countermeasures, in-situ burning, and bioremediation. The specialist will conduct the consultation and planning required to deploy a specific RT, and articulate the environmental tradeoffs of using, or not using, a specific RT.
  4. Trajectory Analysis Specialist
    
    The Trajectory Analysis Specialist is responsible for providing projections and estimates of the movement and behavior of the spill. The specialist will combine visual observations, remote sensing information, and computer modeling, as well as observed and predicted tidal, current, and weather data to form these analyses. Additionally, the specialist is responsible for coordinating with local experts (weather service, academia, researchers, etc.) in formulating these analyses. Trajectory maps, overflight maps, and tides and current data will be supplied by the specialist to the Situation Unit for dissemination throughout the Command Post.
  5. Weather Forecast Specialist
    
    The Weather Forecast Specialist is responsible for acquiring and reporting incident-specific weather forecasts. The Specialist will interpret and analyze data from the NOAA’s National Weather Service and other sources. This person will be available to answer specific weather-related response questions and coordinate with the Scientific Support Coordinator and Trajectory Analysis Specialist, as needed. Weather forecasts will be supplied by the specialist to the Situation Unit for dissemination throughout the Command Post.
  6. Resources At Risk (RAR) Specialist
    
    The Resources at Risk Specialist is responsible for identifying resources thought to be at risk from exposure to the spilled oil by analyzing known and anticipated oil movement and the location of natural, cultural, and economic resources. The Resources at Risk Specialist considers the relative importance of the resources and the relative risk to develop a priority list for protection
  7. Shoreline Cleanup Specialist
    
    The Shoreline Cleanup Assessment (SCA) Specialist is responsible for providing appropriate cleanup recommendations as to the types of the various shorelines and the degree to which they have been impacted. This specialist will recommend the need for, and the numbers of, Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Teams (SCATs) and will be responsible for making cleanup recommendations to the Environmental Unit Leader. Additionally, this specialist will recommend cleanup endpoints that address the question of “How Clean is Clean?”
  8. Historic / Cultural Resources Specialist
    
    The Historic/Cultural (H/C) Resources Specialist is responsible for identifying and resolving issues related to any historic or cultural sites that are threatened or impacted during an incident. The Specialist must understand and be able to implement a “Programmatic Agreement on Protection of Historic Properties” and consult with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO), land management agencies, appropriate native tribes and organizations, and other concerned parties. The Specialist must identify H/C sites and develop strategies for protection and cleanup of those sites in order to minimize damage.
  9. Disposal Specialist
    
    The Disposal (Waste Management) Specialist is responsible for providing the Planning Section Chief with a Disposal Plan that details the collection, sampling, monitoring, temporary storage, transportation, recycling, and disposal of all anticipated response wastes.
3. Situation Unit
  
  The Situation Unit Leader is responsible for collecting and evaluating information about the current, and possible future, status of the spill and the spill response operations. This responsibility includes compiling information regarding the type and amount of oil spilled, the amount of oil recovered, the oil's current location and anticipated trajectory, and impacts on natural resources. This also includes providing information to the GIS Specialist(s) for mapping the current and possible future situation, and preparing reports for the Planning Section Chief.
  1. Display Processor
    
    The Display Processor is responsible for displaying incident status information obtained from field observers, resource status reports, aerial and orthographic photographs, and infrared data.
  2. Field Observer
    
    The Field Observer is responsible to collect situation information from personal observations at the incident and provide this information to the Situation Unit Leader.
  3. Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist
    
    The Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist is responsible for gathering and compiling updated spill information and providing various map products regarding the incident. The GIS team will work with the Situation Unit and the Information Officer to ensure accurate and rapid dissemination of oil spill information to the ICS.
4. Resources Unit
  
  The Resources Unit Leader (RUL) is responsible for maintaining the status of all resources (primary and support) at an incident. The RUL achieves this by developing and maintaining a master list of all resources, including check-in, status, current location, etc. This unit is also responsible for preparing parts of the Incident Action Plan (ICS 203, 204 & 207) and compiling the entire plan in conjunction with other members of the ICS, (e.g., Situation Unit, Operations, Logistics) and determining the availability of resources.
  1. Volunteer Coordinator
    
    The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of volunteer participation, including recruitment, induction, and deployment. The Volunteer Coordinator is part of the Planning Section and reports to the Resources Unit Leader.
  2. Check-In / Status Recorder
    
    Check-in/Status recorders are needed at each check-in location to ensure that all resources assigned to an incident are accounted for.
5. Documentation Unit
  
  The Documentation Unit Leader is responsible for maintaining accurate, up-to-date incident files such as: Incident Action Plan, incident reports, communication logs, injury claims, situation status reports, etc. Thorough documentation is critical to post-incident analysis. Some of these documents may originate in other sections. This unit will ensure each section is maintaining and providing appropriate documents. Incident files will be stored for legal, analytical, and historical purposes. The Documentation Unit also provides duplication and copying services.
1. Demobilization Unit
  
  The Demobilization Unit Leader is responsible for developing the Incident Demobilization Plan, and assisting Sections/Units in ensuring that orderly, safe, and cost-effective demobilization of personnel and equipment is accomplished.
Logistics Section

The Logistics Section Chief is responsible for securing the facilities, services, equipment, and materials for an incident. Usually this is accomplished by using a support and service branch. The support branch is responsible for medical support for incident responders, communication, and food services. The service branch is responsible for supplies such as food, medical, and specialized equipment, facilities and the resources to deliver these items.
1. Service Branch
  
  The Service Branch Director, when activated, is under the supervision of the Logistics Section Chief, and is responsible for managing all service activities at the incident. The Branch Director supervises the operations of the Communications, Medical, and Food Units.
  1. Food Unit
    
    The Food Unit Leader, under the direction of the Service Branch Director or Logistics Section Chief, is responsible for determining feeding requirements at all incident facilities, including: menu planning; determining cooking facilities required; food preparation; serving; providing potable water; and general maintenance of the food service areas.
  2. Medical Unit
    
    The Medical Unit Leader, under the direction of the Service Branch Director or Logistics Section Chief, is primarily responsible for developing the Medical Emergency Plan, obtaining medical aid and transportation for injured and ill incident personnel, and preparing reports and records. The Medical Unit may also assist Operations in supplying medical care and assistance to civilian casualties at the incident, but is not intended to provide medical services to the public
  3. Communications Unit
    
    The Communications Unit Leader, under the direction of the Service Branch Director or Logistics Section Chief, is responsible for developing plans for the effective use of incident communications equipment and facilities; installing and testing communications equipment; supervising the Incident Communications Center; distributing communications equipment to incident personnel; and communications equipment maintenance and repair.
2. Support Branch
  
  The Support Branch Director, when activated, is under the direction of the Logistics Section Chief, and is responsible for developing and implementing logistics plans in support of the Incident Action Plan, including providing personnel, equipment, facilities, and supplies to support incident operations. The Support Branch Director supervises the operation of the Supply, Facilities, Ground Support, and Vessel Support Units.
  1. Supply Unit
    
    The Supply Unit Leader is primarily responsible for ordering personnel, equipment and supplies; receiving and storing all supplies for the incident; maintaining an inventory of supplies; and servicing non-expendable supplies and equipment.
    1. Ordering Manager
      The Ordering Manager is responsible for placing all orders for supplies and equipment for the incident. The Ordering Manager reports to the Supply Unit Leader.
    2. Receiving & Distribution Manager
      
      The Receiving and Distribution Manager is responsible for receiving and distributing all supplies and equipment (other than primary resources) and the servicing and repairing tools and equipment. The Receiving and Distribution Manager reports to the Supply Unit Leader.
1. Facilities Unit
The Facilities Unit Leader is primarily responsible for the layout and activation of incident facilities (e.g., Base, Camp(s) and Incident Command Post). The Facilities Unit provides sleeping and sanitation facilities for incident personnel and manages base and camp operations. Each facility (base or camp) is assigned a manager who reports to the Facilities Unit Leader and is responsible for managing the operation of the facility. The basic functions or activities of the Base and Camp Manager are to provide security service and general maintenance. The Facility Unit Leader reports to the Support Branch Director.
1. Equipment Support Unit
1. Vessel Support Unit

The Vessel Support Unit Leader is primarily responsible for 1) coordinating transportation of personnel, supplies, food, and equipment for waterborne resources; 2) fueling, servicing, maintaining, and repairing vessels and other vessel support equipment; and 3) implementing the Vessel Routing Plan; and 4) supporting out-of-service waterborne resources.

Ground Support Unit

The Ground Support Unit Leader is primarily responsible for 1) coordinating transportation of personnel, supplies, food, and equipment on land; 2) fueling, servicing, maintaining and repairing vehicles and other ground support equipment; 3) implementing the Incident Traffic Plan; and 4) supporting out-of-service shore side resources.

Finance / Administration Section
The Finance / Administration Section Chief is responsible for documenting cost of materials and personnel for the incident. This is important function, especially when the potential for reimbursement exists from areas such as state or federal disaster declarations and insurance companies. It is also important to document claims made by members of the public affected by the incident. Generally this function will be established for large-scale or incidents of long duration such as natural disasters.
1. Time Unit
  
  The Time Unit Leader is responsible for equipment and personnel time records.
  1. Equipment Time Recorder
    
    Under Supervision of the Time Unit Leader, Equipment Time Recorder is responsible for overseeing the recording of time for all equipment assigned to an incident.
  2. Personnel Time Recorder
    
    The Personnel Time Recorder reports to the Time Unit Leader and records personnel information.
1. Procurement Unit
  
  The Procurement Unit Leader is responsible for administering all financial matters pertaining to vendor contracts.
2. Compensation Unit
  
  The Compensation/Claims Unit Leader is responsible for the overall management and direction of all administrative matters pertaining to compensation-for-injury and claims-related activity for an incident.
3. Cost Unit
  
  The Cost Unit Leader is responsible for collecting all cost data, performing cost-effectiveness analyses, and providing cost estimates and cost-saving recommendations for the incident.
Span Of Control

The Ability of one individual to supervise a number of people or units. At an emergency incident the range for safe operation and supervision is 2 to 7, with 5 being the ideal number.

Operational Periods

The time frame for operations at the incident. At large scale or complex incidents these will usually be eight to twelve hour time blocks with twelve hours preferred for Oil Spill and HazMat operations and large conflagrations.

Strategic Goals

The overall goals developed by the Incident Command or Unified Command, and used to manage and control the incident during an operational period or or the duration of the incident. Goals may change during the course of an incident, depending on changes in the incident itself. In Oil Spill, HazMat, and large conflagrations the, IAP is developed with the use of the ICS form package with different types for varying types of responses.

Incident Safety Plan

The stated safety goals developed by the Safety Officer to address the specific safety aspects of the given response to an incident. This plan will take into account types of materials involved, weather conditions, terrain, structural integrity, types of responses, capability of responders, and availability of equipment and supplies.

Incident Action Plan

The portion of the ICS forms developed to address the specific goals and actions to mitigate, control, and manage an incident for a given operational period. The IC or Unified Command sets strategic goals in a planning meeting. The Planning Section prepares the IAP, with assistance from the Operations Section. Available resources, weather conditions, and advice from technical specialists are all taken into account when the IAP is formulated. The IC or Unified Command will approve the IAP with or without specific modifications, to address the goals of the next operational period. After approval of the IAP, the Operations Section requests resources from the Logistics Section to carry out the tasks and implement the goals and strategies of the IAP.

MAYDAY

A universal signal given vocally, or by radio frequency, denoting an emergency situation exists where responders to an incident are threatened or injured. Rescue of personnel when a "MAYDAY" is called, becomes paramount to the incident and necessary resources should be put into action, including RIT if activated.

ICS Position Specific Job Aids: (.pdf format) From USCG

Incident Commander (IC)
Liaison Officer (LO)
Information Officer (IO)
Operations Section Chief (OPS)
Logistics Section Chief (LSC)
Finance / Administration Section Chief (FSC)
Planning Section Chief (PSC)
Situation Unit Leader (SUL)
Documentation Unit Leader (DUL)

2000 Field Operations Guide (FOG) (.pdf)