The Incident Command System (ICS) is an internationally recognized management system designed to enable effective and efficient incident management by integrating a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure.
Standardized Structure: ICS uses defined organizational roles (Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, etc.) and common terminology, which ensures that all responding agencies (fire, police, medical, government, and voluntary organizations) understand each other and their respective roles.
Flexible and Scalable: The structure can expand or contract to manage incidents of any size or complexity, from a small traffic accident to a massive regional disaster. This flexibility is vital during the chaotic Response Phase.
Coordination: ICS establishes a clear chain of command and organized planning process, which is critical for coordinating the efforts of multiple agencies (inter-agency coordination) that arrive at a disaster site.
