Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS)

Every complex job needs to be organized, and managing crises in schools is no exception.  The Incident Command System (ICS) as become the nationwide standard for emergency management, preparedness and response.  The model is an expandable system of management which has proven to be workable for many emergencies, from small events to large disasters and is currently required for use by many agencies across the country.

A basic premise to ICS is that in an emergency situation staff will transition from their day-to-day job to a similar function in addressing that emergency.  For example, in an emergency the principal and/or his/her designee will become the “Incident Commander”.

Division of Labor

The major concept behind ICS is that every emergency, no matter how large or small, requires that certain tasks, or functions, be performed.  The organization can expand or contract according to the size of the emergency and the staff available.  The primary functions of the ICS are: Management, Operations, Logistics, Planning/Intelligence, and Administration/Finance.

In simple terms:

·        Management:  Is in charge

·        Operations:  Makes it happen (by “doing”)

·        Logistics:  Makes it possible (by “getting”)

·        Planning/Intelligence:  Makes it rational (by “thinking”)

·        Administration/Finance:  Makes it fiscally accountable (by “recording”)

Span of Control

Another concept of ICS is Span of Control.  The structure dictates that no one person should be in charge of more than 7 other people.  The optimum number is 5, unless a large number of people are all performing the same function; for example, 1 person might be in charge of 10 teachers, who are all caring for students.

Common Terminology

One of the most important reasons for schools to use an ICS is common terminology.  Response agencies as well as school staff will communicate and function more effectively if similar roles are described with similar wording and common definitions.