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Coordinating: Appendix A: Basic Incident Command System Organizational Structure

I. Command

Command is responsible for overall management of the incident or disaster. The command function may be conducted in two general ways:

Single command—In a single command structure, the Incident Commander is solely responsible for the overall management of an incident.
Unified command

Because large or complex incidents usually require a response by multiple agencies and jurisdictions, a unified command structure, a hallmark of ICS, is invaluable in effectively managing and mitigating an emergency.
In a unified command, all agencies having a jurisdictional responsibility at a multi-jurisdictional incident contribute to the process of:
- Determining the overall incident objectives.
- Selecting strategies.
- Ensuring joint planning for tactical operations is accomplished.
- Maximizing the use of all assigned resources.
- Developing the overall Incident Action Plan.
The proper selection of participants to work within a unified command structure depends upon the following:
- The location of the incident (i.e., which political subdivisions are involved).
- The kind of incident (i.e., which functional agencies are required).
A unified command structure could consist of a key responsible official from each jurisdiction involved in a multi-jurisdictional incident, or it could consist of several functional departments within a single political jurisdiction.
The major distinction between single and unified commands is that in a unified command structure, the individuals designated by their jurisdictions (or by departments within a single jurisdiction) jointly determine objectives, strategy and priorities.

Command staff elements include:

Incident Commander

The Incident Commander's function is to assume the overall responsibility for the management of the operation.
The Incident Commander may be selected on the basis of:
- Greatest jurisdictional involvement.
- Number of resources involved.
- Existing statutory or pre-agreement authority.
- Mutual knowledge of the individual's qualification for a specific type of incident.

Public Information Officer (PIO)

The PIO is responsible for developing accurate and complete information regarding incident cause, size, current situation, resources committed and other matters of general interest.
The PIO will normally be the point of contact for the media and other government agencies desiring information about the incident.
In both single and unified command structures, only one PIO is designated, although assistants from other agencies or departments may be appointed.
In a unified command structure, a Joint Information Center (JIC) should be established. The JIC contains representatives from all involved agencies and collects and disseminates information for the entire unified command.

Safety Officer

The Safety Officer is responsible for assessing hazardous or unsafe situations and developing measures to ensure the safety of incident personnel.
The Safety Officer must have the authority to stop and/or prevent unsafe acts and practices.
In both single and unified command structures, only one Safety Officer is designated, although assistants from other agencies or departments may be appointed.

Liaison Officer

Incidents that are multi-jurisdictional or involve multiple agencies may require the establishment of the Liaison Officer position on the Command Staff. The Liaison Officer is the point of contact for the assisting and cooperating agency representatives and stakeholder groups.
Only one Liaison Officer will be assigned for each incident, including incidents operating under Unified Command and multi-jurisdictional incidents.
The Liaison Officer may have assistants, as necessary, and the assistants may also represent assisting agencies or jurisdictions.

The Operations Section is responsible for the management of all incident tactical operations, i.e., those operations directed at the reduction of immediate hazards, the establishment of control over the situation, and the restoration of normal activities and conditions.
The Operations Section Chief activates and supervises organization elements in accordance with the Incident Action Plan and directs its execution.
The Operations Section Chief also directs the preparation of unit operational plans, requests or releases resources, makes expedient changes to the Incident Action Plan as necessary, and reports such to the Incident Commander.

The Planning Section is responsible for the collection, evaluation and dissemination of disaster intelligence.
The section maintains information on the current and forecast situation and on the status of assigned resources.
The Planning Section is also responsible for the preparation of Incident Action Plans:
- Incident Action Plans outline the objectives, strategy, organization and resources necessary to effectively mitigate an incident.
- Incident Action Plans cover all tactical and support activities for a given operational period.

The Logistics Section is responsible for providing all support needs to an incident, including ordering all resources from off-site locations.
The Logistics Section also provides facilities, transportation, supplies, equipment maintenance and fueling, feeding, communications, and medical services.

Usually only established on large and complex incidents, the Finance and Administration Section is responsible for all financial and cost analysis aspects of an incident.

More detailed information on the ICS organizational structure is available at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/index.shtm.

Last Updated on 8/29/2006