Unified Command should be initiated
as soon as two or more agencies having jurisdictional or functional responsibilities come together on an incident
. This is especially important on those incidents where the authority needed to successfully manage the incident is vested in separate agencies or jurisdictions.
Where is Unified Command applied?
1.1 Definition of Unified Command
As defined in NIMS5, UC is “an
application of the ICS used when there is more than one agency with incident jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdiction
.
What is a benefit of a Unified Command?
Advantages of using Unified Command include:
A single set of objectives guides incident response
. A collective approach is used to develop strategies to achieve incident objectives. Information flow and coordination are improved between all involved in the incident.
Which type of incident would require establishment of Unified Command?
A unified command may be needed for
incidents involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies
. If a unified command is needed, incident commanders representing agencies or jurisdictions that share responsibility for the incident manage the response from a single incident command post.
What is Unified Command structure?
The Unified Command is a
structure that brings together the Incident Commanders of the major organizations involved in the incident in order to coordinate an effective response
, while at the same time allowing each to carry out their own jurisdictional, legal, and functional responsibilities.
What is the difference between unity of command and unified command?
Unity of Command means that each individual will be assigned and report to only one supervisor. Unity of Command
is different from Unified Command
; Unified Command is established when no one jurisdiction, agency, or organization has primary authority, therefore there is no one clear Incident Commander.
What is the chain of command?
The definition of a chain of command is
an official hierarchy of authority that dictates who is in charge of whom and of whom permission must be asked
. An example of chain of command is when an employee reports to a manager who reports to a senior manager who reports to the vice president who reports to the CEO.
What are the 5 major incident command system functional areas?
All response assets are organized into five functional areas:
Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Administration/Finance
. Figure 1-3 highlights the five functional areas of ICS and their primary responsibilities.
Which is a key characteristic of the incident command system?
A key feature of the U.S. National Incident Management System (NIMS), ICS is
an operational incident management structure that provides a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response in the U.S.
What is an area command?
Area Command:
An organization that oversees the management of multiple incidents or oversees the management of a very large or evolving situation with
multiple ICS organizations. See Unified Area Command.
What are the 14 ICS principles?
- Lack of common organization.
- Poor on-scene and inter-agency communications.
- Inadequate joint planning.
- Lack of valid and timely intelligence.
- Inadequate resource management.
- Narrow prediction capability.
What is the purpose of ICS?
ICS is the model tool for
command, control, and coordination of a response
and provides a means to coordinate the efforts of individual agencies as they work toward the common goal of stabilizing the incident and protecting life, property, and the environment.
Which of the following defines a unified command?
: an armed force (as a task force containing army, navy, and air force units)
of two or more services operating under a single commander
.
What is unity of command in ICS?
Unity of command means
that every individual has only one designated supervisor
. • Chain of command means that there is an orderly line of authority within the ranks of the organization, with lower levels subordinate to, and connected to, higher levels.
What positions make up the general staff?
The General Staff consists of the
Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief
.
Where should command post be?
Incident command posts should be located
close enough to allow the incident commander (IC)
to observe operations but far enough away to provide safety and shelter from the noise and confusion that accompanies normal operations. A command vehicle is often ideally suited for this purpose.
