Module 1:

Introduction to ICS
 Module 1 Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will
be able to:
1. Learn the origins and development Incident
Command System (ICS) in the Philippines;
2. Describe the basic principles and features of
ICS; and
3. Describe the roles & relationship between
the Responsible Official and the Incident
Commander
 Background
• Different disasters, incidents and threats
have always been surrounding the lives of
the Filipinos:
– Natural calamities due to the country’s
geographical location
– Human-induced disasters
– Climate change
• These necessitate an effective and
efficient response management system.
 Background
Examples of past disasters/incidents:

DISASTER DATE
ULTRA or February 2006
WOWOWEE incident
Tropical Storm Sept 2009
“Ondoy”
Quirino Grandstand August 2010
Hostage Taking
ULTRA or WOWOWEE incident ~
February 2006
Photo credit: streetsandscandals.net
Tropical Storm “Ondoy”
~ Sept 2009
Photo credit: typhoonondoy.org
Quirino Grandstand Hostage Taking
~ August 2010
Photo credit: rappler.com
 Lessons from Past Disasters
and Incidents
• Lack of reliable incident information
• Inadequate communications
• Too many people reporting to one supervisor
• Too many responders
• Too many emergency response organization
structures
 Lessons from Past Disasters
and Incidents
• No check-in procedures for responders
• Lack of structure for coordinated planning
between agencies
• Unclear lines of authority
• Terminology differences between agencies
• Unclear or unspecified incident objectives
 Lessons from Past Disasters
and Incidents
• Lack of clarity on who’s in charge;
• Confusion arising from catastrophic
incidents
• Political intervention
Institutionalization
of ICS
 Origins of ICS in RA 10121

“An Act Strengthening the PDRRMS, Providing

for the NDRRM Framework and
Institutionalizing the NDRRM Plan,
Appropriating Funds Therefore and For Other
Purposes”

• Section 9 (g): OCD shall establish SOP for

coordination
• Rule 7 (h), IRR: OCD shall establish ICS
ICS Instructor Development

5-day ICS Basic/Intermediate Course ( July 19-23, 2010)

Integrated Planning Course (Oct. 11-21, 2010)

Admin. & Finance Sec. Chief Course (Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 2011)

Operations Sec. Chief Course (Mar. 3-4, 2011)

Logistics Sec. Chief Course (Mar. 4-7, 2011)

Incident Commanders’ Course (Mar. 8-11, 2011)

34 Participants from NDRRMC agencies and partners:

 ICS NATIONAL CADRE

 NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM
 ICS Instructor Development

ICS NATIONAL CADRE NATIONAL INCIDENT

MANAGEMENT TEAM
Group of individuals who Composed of an Incident
successfully underwent the Commander and the
National Training of Trainers appropriate Command and
on ICS, didactic and General Staff personnel
practicum, covering the six assigned to the incident.
(6) ICS courses by the US
Department of Agriculture – The ICS National Cadre
Forest Service in the shall be initially constituted
Philippines from March, as a National IMT of the
2010 to July, 2011
NDRRMC.
 NDRRMC Memorandum
Circular No. 4
• Signed by C, NDRRMC / Secretary, DND
last March 28, 2012
• Authorizes the use of ICS as an On-Scene
Disaster Response and Management
Mechanism under the Philippine DRRM
System
 Executive Order No. 82
• Signed by President Benigno Aquino III
• Section 4D: “As soon as an incident is
declared as approaching crisis level, the
responding Crisis Manager activates the
Incident Command System (ICS) and calls
on the designated Incident Commander
(IC)...”
What is ICS?
 What is an incident?
An incident is . . .
. . . an occurrence, caused
by either human or natural
phenomena, that requires
response actions to
prevent or minimize loss
of life, or damage to
property and the
environment.
Photo credits: Google Images
 What is ICS?

• A standard, on-scene, all-

hazard incident
management concept that
can be used by all
DRRMCs member
agencies and response
groups

Photo credits: Google Images

What is ICS?

• It allows its users to adopt an

integrated organizational
structure to match the
complexities and demands of
single or multiple incidents
without being hindered by
agency or jurisdictional
boundaries.

Photo credits: Google Images

 Purpose of ICS

The purpose of ICS is to help to ensure:

• The safety of responders and others.
• The achievement of tactical objectives.
• The efficient use of resources.
 Benefits of ICS

• Meets the needs of

incidents of any kind or
size
• Allows personnel from
a variety of agencies to
meld rapidly into a
common management
structure

Photo credit: Google Images

 Benefits of ICS

• Provides accountability
and a planning process
• Provides logistical and
administrative support
to operational staff
• Is cost effective by
avoiding duplication of
efforts

Photo credit: Google Images

 Incidents/Events managed
by ICS
• Natural calamities:
typhoons, floods, tornadoes,
earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, tsunamis
• Human and animal disease
outbreaks • Search and rescue
operations
• Hazardous materials
incidents
Photo credits: Google Images
 Incidents/Events managed
by ICS
•Distribution of
humanitarian assistance
•Planned events - fiestas,
parades, sport events,
conferences, concerts, etc.

• Terrorist incidents
• Hostage-Taking
• Car accidents
Photo credits: Google Images
 Countries using ICS

Fully Implemented:
• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Mexico

Photo credit: Google Images

 Countries using ICS
(In Transition)

South Asia ASEAN Africa Latin

America
Bhutan Indonesia Ethiopia Many
India Philippines Ghana countries
Sri Lanka Thailand
Brunei
Darussalam
Principles and
Features of ICS
 Principles and Features of
ICS

1. Primary ICS Management Functions

2. Management by Objectives
3. Unity of Command and Chain of
Command
4. Organizational Flexibility
5. Span of Control
 Principles and Features of
ICS

6. Common Terminology
7. Accountability
8. Integrated Communications
9. Resources Management
10.Use of Incident Action Plan and Forms
Primary
Management
Functions
 Primary ICS Management
Functions
FUNCTIONS DESCRIPTION
Command Overall responsibility
Operations Direct tactical actions
Planning Collect data, prepare
action plan
Logistics Provide logistical
support
Finance/ Procure resources,
Administration maintain accountability
Management
by Objectives
 Management by Objectives
- an approach that is
communicated to the GOAL
entire ICS organization.

4. PERFORM
TACTICAL DIRECTION

3. SELECT APPROPRIATE
STRATEGY

2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION

Understand Policy and Direction

Understand the legal

Goal
mandate / orders /
directives of Responsible
Official (person in charge) in
affected area.

1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION

36
 Establish Incident Objectives
Establish SMART objectives
Goal
Examples:
• Search all structures for
casualties by 1400H.
• Clear all roads with debris
in six (6) hours.

2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION

 Select Appropriate Strategy
Strategy describes the general
method/s that should be used
either singly or in combination Goal

Example:
Objective: Clear all roads from
debris in 6 hours
3. SELECT APPROPRIATE
Strategy #1: Use heavy STRATEGY
equipment

Strategy #2: Mobilize all 2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

volunteers

1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION

 Perform Tactical Direction
Tactical direction describes
the specific action that must
be accomplished within the Goal
selected strategy
4. PERFORM
TACTICAL
Example: DIRECTION
Objective: Clear all roads
from debris in 6 hours 3. SELECT APPROPRIATE
STRATEGY
Strategy: Mobilize all the
volunteers
Tactics: Equip 50 2. ESTABLISH INCIDENT OBJECTIVES
volunteers
with shovels in the area.
1. UNDERSTAND POLICY & DIRECTION
Unity of Command
and
Chain of Command
 Unity of Command and
Chain of Command
CHAIN OF COMMAND
• Orderly ranking of management positions in line of
authority

UNITY OF COMMAND
• Establishes a clear line of supervision, every
individual has a designated supervisor
Organizational
Flexibility
 ICS Organization

Incident
Commander

Public Information Officer

Liaison Officer

Safety Officer

Finance/
Operations Planning Logistics
Administration
 Command Staff

• The Incident Commander may designate a

Command Staff who:
– Provide information, liaison, and safety
services for the entire organization.
– Report directly to Incident Commander.
Incident
Commander

Public Information
Officer

Liaison Command
Officer
Staff
Safety
Officer
 General Staff

• As the incident expands in complexity, the

Incident Commander may add General Staff
Sections to maintain span of control.
Incident
Commander
Public Information
Officer

Liaison Command
Officer
Staff
Safety
Officer

Operations Planning Logistics Finance/Admin

General
Section Section Section Section
Staff
 Who does what?
Incident Commander: Finance/Admin: Monitors
Overall responsibility for incident costs and
the incident. Sets provides fiscal guidance.
objectives. Incident Procures needed resources
Commander

Operations Planning Logistics Finance/Admin

Section Section Section Section

Operations: Planning: Logistics: Provides

Develops tactical Develops Incident Action resources and all
organization and directs Plan to accomplish other services needed
all resources to carry out objectives. Maintains to support the
the Incident Action Plan resource & situation incident
status
 Organizational Flexibility
• ICS organization is flexible and modular
• Organization develops in a top-down
fashion, beginning with the Incident
Commander (IC)
• IC establishes organization based on incident
size, complexity, & specific hazards
• “Form follows function”, (only functions/
positions necessary for the incident will be
filled or activated)
 Incident Complexity and
Resource Needs
Incident Resource Needs ICS Structure
Complexity
 Large Disaster:
All Units Activated
Incident Commander

Public Information Liaison

Officer Officer

Safety
Officer

Finance/Admin.
Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section
Section

Resources Demob. Service Support Time Compensation

Unit Unit Branch Branch Unit Claims Unit
Air Ops
Branches
Branch
Situation Doc. Procurement Cost
Unit Unit Commun. Supply Unit Unit
Unit Unit
Divisions Groups
Medical Facilities
Unit Unit
Strike Team
Ground
Food
Task Force Support
Unit
Unit
Single Resource
Span of Control
 Span of Control
ICS span of control for any supervisor:
• Is between 3 to 7 subordinates
• Optimally does not exceed 5 subordinates.
 Span of Control

INEFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE
AND SPAN OF CONTROL
POSSIBLY
DANGEROUS
 Span of Control

IMPORTANT: Do not combine functions for

one organizational unit
Common
Terminology
 Common Terminology

The use of common terminology applies to:

a. Organizational Elements
– All ICS major functions and functional
units are named and defined.Terminology
for each organizational element is
standard consistent.
 Common Terminology
b. Resource Descriptions
-Major resources personnel, major equipment,
and supply items are given common names
and are listed by type and kind with respect to
their capabilities.
c. Incident Facilities
-Facilities used during the response are
named according to common terminology.
 Common Terminology

d. Position Titles
– All ICS managers and supervisors are
referred to by standardized ICS titles
such as Officer, Chief, Supervisor or
Leader.
 Common Terminology
All ICS communications should use clear text
(that is, plain language). Do not use radio
codes, agency-specific codes, acronyms, or
other jargon.
 Common Terminology
The following examples demonstrate the difference
between jargon and clear text:

Jargon: “Railroad Street Command for Engine 44, you’re 10-1.”

Clear Text: “Railroad Street Command from Engine 44, you are
unreadable.”

Jargon: “OPSEC from Div. A, I have you 10-4.”

Clear Text: “Operations Section Chief Ramos from Division
Alpha. You are coming in clear.”
Accountability
 Accountability

Check-in – All responders,

regardless of agency
affiliation, must check-in to
the incident and receive an
assignment, following the
procedures established by the
IC.
 Accountability

Incident Action Plan-

Response operations must be
directed and coordinated as
outlined in the IAP.
 Accountability

Unity of command – Each

individual involved in incident
operations is assigned to only
one supervisor.
 Accountability

Span of control –
Supervisors must be able to
effectively manage their
subordinates and the
resources
 Accountability
Resource Tracking - supervisors must
record and report resource status changes
as they occur.
Integrated
Communications
 Integrated Communications

Integrated communications are facilitated

through:
• Development and use of a common
communications plan.
• Interoperability of communication
equipment, procedures, and systems.
 Integrated Communications

Communications networks that may be required:

a. Command Net
b. Tactical Nets
c. Support Nets
d. Ground-to-Air
e. Air-to-Air
Resource
Management
 Resource Management

What is a Resource?
A Resource is any personnel, team,
equipment, aircraft, supplies and
facilities available to support
management and response activities.
 Resource Management

• Resource Management includes processes for:

– Categorizing
– Ordering
– Dispatching
– Tracking
– Recovering
– Reimbursing resources (as appropriate)
Incident Action Plan and
ICS Forms
 Incident Action Plan

• Used to communicate response goals,

operational objectives and support
activities throughout the ICS organization.
• Developed for each operational period
(typically 12 to 24 hours) to provide all
incoming supervisory personnel with
appropriate direction.
• May be oral or written.
 ICS Forms and Tools

• ICS has a variety of tools,

including forms, to help
standardize procedures
and documentation
 Who is in-charge?
The Responsible Official and the
Incident Commander
 Responsible Official
• Chairs the DRRMC (Governor,
Mayor, etc)
• Provides overall policy direction
and strategic objectives
• Ensures availability of
resources
• Serves as link to higher
authorities
• Delegates authority to IC
 Incident Commander
• Takes policy direction from
Responsible Official
• Establishes incident objectives
• Provides overall leadership for
on- scene response operations
• Ensures incident safety
• Maintains liaison with
participating response agencies
 Responsible Official and
Incident Commander

 Delegates authority  Receives policy direction

 Provides policy,  Establishes objectives
mission and  Leads in managing the incident
strategic direction  Keeps the Responsible Official
informed
The chain of command between the Incident Commander
and Responsible Official must NOT be bypassed.
Command vs
Coordination
 Command vs Coordination

• Command – Incident Commander commands

on-scene operations and reports to
Responsible Official
 Command vs Coordination
Coordination - Responsible Official, through
the DRRMC and EOC, coordinates with
other agencies for the following:
o Making policy decisions
o Establishing priorities
o Resolving critical resource issues
o Mobilizing and tracking resources
o Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating
information
C
o
ICS IN A BROADER
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
DRRMC Member Agencies
CENTER
o
r MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Head, EOC (Policy Group)

d Public Info/
Report Development
i Media Center
n
a Liaison Group
(DRRMC TMG)
t
i
o Alert & Monitoring
Operational Response Coordination Information
Coordination & Resource Mobilization Management
n

Incident Commander
C A
o Staff
m
m Logistics Operations Planning Finance &
a Section Section Section Administration
n
d
Security SAR Fire Control EMS Initial Response”
11
ICS in Action
 ICS in Action
6.2 M Earthquake in Negros Oriental
(Feb 2012)
 ICS in Action
SRR Operations for DILG Sec Robredo
(Aug 2012)
 ICS in Action
Typhoon Pablo
(Dec 2012)
 ICS in Action
Black Nazarene Traslacion
(Jan 2013)
 ICS in Action
National DRRM Summit
(Mar 2013)
 ICS in Action
7.2 M Earthquake in Bohol
(Oct 2013)
 ICS in Action
Typhoon Yolanda
(Nov 2013)
ICS in Action
TD Agaton
(Jan 2014)
 Module 1 Activity
INSTRUCTIONS:
 Using the ICS Form 211, please “check-in” to
this “incident”
 Instructors will provide guidance in filling out
the form.
Discuss in your groups:
 Do responders currently check-in on
incidents? If not, what issues does this cause?
 Select a spokesperson. Be prepared to
present in 5 minutes.
 Module 1 Objectives
Upon completion of this module, participants will
be able to:
1. Learn the origins and development Incident
Command System (ICS) in the Philippines;
2. Describe the basic principles and features of
ICS
3. Describe the roles & relationship between
the Responsible Official and the Incident
Commander
QUESTIONS???