Emergency Incident Management Systems. Louis N. Molino, Sr.
we must use and meet.
If different public safety agencies are expected to work together, a command system for managing people, resources, and equipment is necessary to create a successful outcome. This holds true regardless of how large, small, complex, or simple that incident may be. Use of the National Incident Management Systems allows integration of resources with both speed and efficiency.
It is also important to realize that in order for any IMS method to be truly useful and successful, the system must be implemented from the “top down” and the “bottom up” simultaneously. As we move forward, the use of ICS, NIMS, or any other method of incident management will not be effective unless we utilize and practice it on a regular basis. If you take this tool and hide it in the toolbox while waiting for the “big one” (a large‐scale incident) to occur, you are hurting yourself, your agency, and most importantly the community you serve. If this amazing tool is not taken out of the toolbox and used regularly, it is very likely that when you do need this tool, it will probably be rusty, and the user will probably have problems trying to remember how to use it.
Chapter 1 Quiz
1 True or False: The Revolutionary war utilized several principles that are used in incident management systems today. Some of those principles include a centralized command, planning, mutual aid, and a chain of command.
2 True or False: Prior to the Big Burn, William Greeley thought the tactic of making agreements (similar to mutual aid agreement) with lumber companies would not work, so he did not forge any agreements with them for firefighting.
3 The military devised a system to manage wars known as the C4I. What are the five elements of C4I?
4 True or False: FIRESCOPE did not play a major role in the history of emergency incident management?
5 Which state took on the task of developing FIRESCOPE?UtahCaliforniaIllinoisNew HampshireTexas
6 What reoccurring incidents(s) were the motivation for creating FIRESCOPE?RiotsEarthquakesTornadoesFiresHazardous Material Spills
7 What disaster was the driving force for HSPD‐5 and HSPD‐8?
8 What does the acronym NIMS stand for?
9 True or False: The federal government mandates the use of NIMS by stakeholders in disaster response.
10 True or False: A response agency does not need to use NIMS in order to receive federal funds.
11 Which types of agencies or individuals should take NIMS training?
12 True or False: State governors, mayors, and tribal chiefs are required to take NIMS training.
13 True or False: NIMS is useful for responding to most disasters but is not useful for events such as terrorist attacks.
14 True or False: NIMS is useful in disaster response and recovery, but is not useful in the mitigation and preparedness phase of emergency incident management.
15 True or False: It is a federal requirement that there is ongoing research and development of NIMS to ensure that this IMS system is up to date and that it incorporates lessons learned from utilizing it.
16 In what years were the NIMS method updated (Two answers)?200620072008201120122017
Self‐Study
Read and understand Jessica Jensen's research regarding the county level behavior towards the mandated implementation of the National Incident Management Systems.
Jensen, J. (2011). The current NIMS implementation behavior of United States counties. Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: 8:1, Article 20. https://doi.org/10.2202/1547-7355.1815.
2 A Case Study of Incident Management
The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies
Napoleon Bonaparte
As we consider the efficacy and utility of incident management, we need to understand why we use Incident Management System (IMS) methods. It is not until we understand the true importance of IMS that we as public safety agencies prioritize that it is needed. Unfortunately, many agencies consider IMS as an afterthought, or as something that is only used in large disasters. This type of thinking causes more problems than solutions.
Because the regular use of an IMS method is critical to reducing pain, suffering, loss of life, and economic loss, this chapter is devoted to helping understand just how important proper IMS methods truly are. Through looking at and understanding the lifecycle of an incident, we can see how our intervention can reduce pain, suffering, loss of life, and economic hardship. Furthermore, by comparing and contrasting two major incidents that occurred approximately a month apart, we can see how the use of an IMS method reduced the aforementioned pain and suffering, while not using an IMS method increased the pain and suffering.
2.1 The Lifecycle of an Incident
Incident management is the skill of making decisions that will mitigate the negative effects of an emergency incident. This form of management often occurs while the incident is still unfolding, and in most instances, the incident is still expanding or growing. If an incident is not managed, or if it is improperly managed, the conditions of this event will deteriorate even more. Through utilizing the principles and philosophies, and creating and enacting protocols, there can be a serious reduction in the negative effects that the incident can have. By reducing the lifecycle of an incident, we reduce the negative impact it has. An example of this can be seen in the graphic below which demonstrates the lifecycle of a crisis.
In this graphic, you can see that the lifecycle of a crisis is substantially reduced by introducing intervention. While this graphic is just an illustration, it provides a glimpse of how proper intervention can reduce the negative effects of an incident and reduce the life of the crisis.
The actions that are taken by an Incident Commander (IC) in conjunction with staff and ground personnel reduce the impact significantly, providing that the IMS method is used. If no IMS method is utilized, the incident will eventually peak and cause more death and destruction. This is not to say that all types of incident management will reduce the negative effects. A haphazard or unproven IMS method might allow this lifecycle to peak much in the same manner as no intervention. For that reason, a proven IMS method is needed to reduce the lifecycle of an incident.
2.2 Common Attributes of an Incident
As we consider managing an emergency incident, it should be realized that all emergency incidents have three common attributes (or themes) that remain synonymous with each and every crisis. They are
Chaos
Uncertainty
Complexity
The objective of incident management is to create order where there was once chaos, to produce predictability and stability where there was uncertainty, and to build simplicity out of what was once complexity. While incident management can be used in planned and nonemergent situations, usually a crisis in public safety will involve an emergency. These crises will be from the daily emergency response calls to incidents that go well beyond the basic call. They may be as simple as a noise complaint, or an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) call that involves a person with an upset stomach, all the way to major events. Major events that require a response may include shootings, domestic disputes, fires, auto accidents,