This month I would like to discuss the Incident Command System (ICS).  The Incident Command System is a management tool that is being adopted by professional emergency responders throughout the country.  ICS provides a coordinated system of command, communications, organization and accountability in managing emergency events.  Amateur Radio operators should be familiar with the system, as well as how they will interface with agencies employing ICS.

Integral to the ICS is the concept of Unified Command.  There is only one boss, the Incident Commander, who is responsible for the overall operation.  For any incident, a number of functions must be performed, ranging from planning and logistics to handling the press.  The functional requirements of planning, logistics, operations and finance are always present despite the size of the incident.  They may be handled by a single individual for a small incident or a “Command Staff” in a large incident.  Another characteristic of ICS is “span of control”.  In simple terms, any manager should only directly manage a small number of people.  ICS uses the number of five for organizational purposes.  The number five isn’t hard and fast, but it provides a useful organizational guideline.

How does the Amateur Radio volunteer fit into the Incident Command System?  We are expected to be communicators, and within the ICS, this would place us in the Logistics Section in the Service Branch as part of the Communications Unit.  The Communications Unit provides all communications services for the operation.  Training courses, IS-100 and IS-200 are available as part of the FEMA Independent Study Program at training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS .  These courses are part of the ARES training.

Just a reminder, our Emcomm Nets are held at 7:30 PM on Monday evenings on the 147.15 MHz repeater.  Our Monthly Meeting will be held Thursday March 25, at 7:00 PM.  Hope to see you there.

Glen Caine (N6HEW)
Fresno County ARES EC
Fresno County RACES Officer
559-999-7590
n6hew(at)att.net