ICS 100

True or False Integrated communications are necessary to achieve situational awareness.

True Integrated communications are necessary to maintain connectivity, achieve situational awareness, and facilitate information sharing.

True or False Unity of command means that every individual is accountable to and reports to only one designated supervisor.

True Under unity of command, personnel report to only one Incident Command System (ICS) supervisor and receive work assignments only from their ICS supervisor.

True or False The Incident Command System (ICS) and NIMS are the same, and these terms can be used interchangeably.

False The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a systematic, proactive approach to guide all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. ICS is just one part of NIMS.

True or False Because incident details are often unknown at the start, command should not be established until after the Incident Action Plan has been developed.

False The command function should be clearly established at the beginning of an incident.

Incident Command or Incident Coordination? Establish objectives, make assignments, and order resources

Incident Command

Match the description with its ICS Functional Area Sets the incident objectives, strategies, and priorities, and has overall responsibility for the incident.

Incident Command

True or False In part, comprehensive resource management describes standard mechanisms used to identify requirements and acquire, mobilize, track, and demobilize resources.

True Comprehensive resource management describes standard mechanisms to identify requirements and order and acquire, mobilize, activate, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse for, and inventory resources such as personnel, equipment, teams, and facilities.

True or False ICS could be used to manage a large sporting event or a visit from a foreign dignitary.

True ICS can be used to manage any type of incident, including a planned event (e.g., the Olympics, Presidential inauguration, etc.). Using ICS for every incident or planned event helps improve and maintain skills needed for the large-scale incidents.

True or False ICS is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards approach to incident management.

True ICS helps ensure the integration of our response efforts. ICS allows all responders to adopt an integrated organizational structure that matches the complexities and demands of the incident while respecting agency and jurisdictional authorities.

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of an Incident Action Plan (IAP)? - It specifies incident objectives - It states the activities to be completed - It identifies needed resources - It focuses on previous operational periods in order to provide lessons learned

It focuses on previous operational periods in order to provide lessons learned The IAP is proactive and should focus on addressing the needs of future operational periods. An Action Plan should: - Cover a specified timeframe. - Be proactive. - Specify the incident objectives. - State the activities to be completed. - Assign responsibilities. - Identify needed resources. - Specify communication protocols.

Statement: Throughout the incident and during the after-action review process, the reports that we develop will be very useful. - Operations Section Chief - Planning Section Chief - Logistics Section Chief - Finance/Administration Section Chief

Planning Section Chief The Planning Section provides valuable information and reports during the incident. In addition, the reports and records help to identify lessons learned during the after-action review process.

Statement: As the response is underway, my section tracks all personnel participating in the response. - Operations Section Chief - Planning Section Chief - Logistics Section Chief - Finance/Administration Section Chief

Planning Section Chief The major activities of the Planning Section may include: - Preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans - Tracking resources assigned to the incident - Maintaining incident documentation - Developing plans for demobilization

Incident Command or Incident Coordination? Collect, analyze and disseminate information

Incident Coordination

Incident Command or Incident Coordination? Establishing priorities among incidents

Incident Coordination

Incident Command or Incident Coordination? Synchronize public information messages

Incident Coordination

Match the description with its ICS Functional Area Ensures that all intelligence/investigations operations and activities are properly managed, coordinated, directed.

Intelligence/Investigations

Scenario: You are an American Red Cross Disaster Program Specialist in charge of teams trained to help in sheltering displaced persons. You have been notified by your office to be prepared to deploy to conduct shelter operations. Your supervisor has asked you to come to the office to begin organizing volunteers and get prepared to set up shelters, if tasked. You check in before you begin. What NIMS Management Characteristic are you supporting? - Modular Organization - Incident Action Planning - Establishment and Transfer of Command - Accountability

Accountability At this point, you are checking in to receive your assignments. The Check-In principle is part of the Accountability Characteristic.

Scenario: You are the American Red Cross liaison in the Emergency Operation Center and you print up a list of the location of materials necessary to outfit the shelters. Materials stored in both facilities are adequate to meet the initial needs. Both the College and the Middle School are implementing their respective plans and are establishing necessary staffing to support the shelter requirements. What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? - Modular Organization - Comprehensive Resource Management - Establishment and Transfer of Command - Dispatch/Deployment

Comprehensive Resource Management At this point, you are identifying requirements, performing inventory, and mobilizing resources. These activities are part of the Comprehensive Resource Management and Coordination Characteristic.

Scenario: You are the President of Lawrence College. You and the American Red Cross Shelter Manager have contacted the Incident Command Post concerning the ability to meet the nutritional and long term pharmaceutical needs of the elderly residents. The Liaison Officer requests assistance from the Emergency Operations Center. What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? - Modular Organization - Comprehensive Resource Management - Establishment and Transfer of Command - Dispatch/Deployment

Comprehensive Resource Management Comprehensive Resource Management describes standard mechanisms to identify requirements and order and acquire, mobilize, activate, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse for, and inventory resources such as personnel, equipment, teams, and facilities.

Scenario: The Operations Section has determined that the Emergency Medical Services, the Fire Department, and the School Bus Company will be assigned to the evacuation of the Nursing Home. They will all converge at City Hall and will be dispatched, as appropriate, to begin the rapid and safe movement of the residents to their temporary shelter locations. What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? - Modular Organization - Comprehensive Resource Management - Establishment and Transfer of Command - Dispatch/Deployment

Dispatch/Deployment Resources should be deployed only when requested or when dispatched by an appropriate authority through established resource management systems.

True or False Chain of command restricts personnel from communicating or sharing information outside their organizational units.

False Chain of command does NOT prevent personnel from directly communicating with each other to ask for or share information.

Match the description with its ICS Functional Area Monitors costs related to the incident. Provides accounting, procurement, time recording, and cost analyses.

Finance/Administration

Statement: I support the incident response activities by overseeing contracting for needed supplies and services that are not already available. - Operations Section Chief - Planning Section Chief - Logistics Section Chief - Finance/Administration Section Chief

Finance/Administration Section Chief The Finance/Administration Section is responsible for: - Contract negotiation and monitoring - Timekeeping - Cost analysis - Compensation for injury or damage to property

To promote accountability, which document outlines the method for coordinating response operations? - National Incident Management System (NIMS) Doctrine - Incident Action Plan - Resource Tracking System - Responder Personnel Roster

Incident Action Plan Coordination of response operations must be outlined in the Incident Action Plan.

Read the statement and decide which member of the Command Staff is being described. Statement: I provide briefings to supporting Agency Representatives and work with them to address their questions and concerns about the operation. I remain visible on the incident scene to all incoming cooperating and assisting agencies.

Liaison Officer I am the Liaison Officer. I'm the go-between. I assist the Incident Commander by serving as the point of contact for other response organizations participating in the response effort. I provide briefings to stakeholders and other agencies involved in the operation. I respond to requests from incident personnel for contacts among the assisting and cooperating agencies. I also monitor incident operations in order to identify any current or potential problems between stakeholders and response agencies.

Match the description with its ICS Functional Area Arranges for resources and needed services to support achievement of the incident objectives.

Logistics

Statement: In advance of severe flooding, there is a need to get generators and communications equipment to the Staging Areas to equip advance response teams. It's my responsibility to make sure the needed equipment arrives at the Staging Area. - Operations Section Chief - Planning Section Chief - Logistics Section Chief - Finance/Administration Section Chief

Logistics Section Chief The Logistics Section is responsible for all services and support needs, including: - Ordering, obtaining, maintaining, and accounting for essential personnel, equipment, and supplies - Providing communication planning and resources - Setting up food services - Setting up and maintaining incident facilities - Providing support transportation - Providing medical services to incident personnel

Scenario: Due to the complexity of the incident, the Incident Commander has expanded the Operations Section to include an Evacuation Group. What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? - Modular Organization - Comprehensive Resource Management - Establishment and Transfer of Command - Dispatch/Deployment

Modular Organization As the incident grows more complex, the ICS organization may expand as functional responsibilities are delegated. This expansion is part of the Modular Organization Characteristic.

Read the statement and decide which member of the Command Staff is being described. Statement: I am the primary contact for anyone who wants details about the incident and our response to it. I serve an external audience through the media and an internal audience including incident staff and agency personnel.

Public Information Officer I am the Public Information Officer. I report directly to the Incident Commander. I am the primary contact for anyone who wants information about the incident and our response to it. Without me, media requests would overwhelm the Incident Commander. I also coordinate communications to our internal audiences. It's very important for me to coordinate with other public information staff to ensure that we do not issue confusing or conflicting information. In the end, the Incident Commander and Headquarters will approve all information that I release. During a complex incident, I may need several Assistant Public Information Officers to help me.

Read the statement and decide which member of the Command Staff is being described. Statement: I work very closely with Operations to make sure that our people in the field are wearing appropriate protective equipment and implementing safe tactical options

Safety Officer I am the Safety Officer. My job is to make sure everyone is safe. I advise the Incident Commander on issues regarding incident safety. I work very closely with responders to make sure they are as safe as possible under the circumstances. I have the authority to stop any unsafe activity that I observe.

Scenario: - As phasedown of shelter operations has begun, the American Red Cross Disaster Operations Supervisor has directed you to begin re-assigning shelter staff personnel and release those that are no longer required. - As a supervisor, you direct released staff to checkout. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. - Modular Organization - Incident Facilities and Locations - Unified Command - Chain of Command and Unity of Command - Accountability - Information and Intelligence Management

- Chain of Command and Unity of Command Explanation: In accordance with Chain of Command and Unity of Command, you are receiving direction from a single supervisor, the American Red Cross Disaster Operations Supervisor. - Accountability Explanation: In accordance with Accountability, you are managing the resources under your control by re-assigning shelter staff personnel and having them checkout.

Scenario: - You are a Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist who normally works at the Public Works Planning office. - You are directed to report to the Incident Command Post (ICP) and have been assigned to the Planning Section Chief and will report to the Chief. - You will be producing maps to display potential flooding impacts in the city and county. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select the two characteristics that apply. - Integrated Communications - Establishment and Transfer of Command - Chain of Command and Unity of Command - Accountability - Dispatch/Deployment - Information and Intelligence Management

- Chain of Command and Unity of Command Explanation: In accordance with Chain of Command and Unity of Command, you have been assigned a single supervisor, the Planning Section Chief, to whom you will report. - Information and Intelligence Management Explanation: In accordance with Information and Intelligence Management, you will be gathering, sharing, and managing incident-related information in the form of maps that display potential flooding impacts.

Scenario: You are the Operations Section Chief at the Incident Command Post and request that all response communications be conducted using a pre-determined set of frequencies. You also remind everyone in the field to use plain language. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. - Common Terminology - Management by Objectives - Incident Action Planning - Integrated Communications - Unified Command - Accountability

- Common Terminology Explanation: In accordance with Common Terminology, you have asked that everyone use plain language to promote understanding between all parties. - Integrated Communications Explanation: In accordance with Integrated Communications, you have developed and implemented a common communications plan by asking that all response communications be conducted using a pre-determined set of frequencies.

Scenario: - You are the City Fire Chief and are evaluating the supervisory structure needed to manage the Incident Command Post staff. - You are also identifying senior representatives from the Health Care community and from Public Works to help develop objectives to protect the residents of the nursing home and the critical water resources of the community. Select the three NIMS Management Characteristics you are supporting. - Incident Facilities and Locations - Establishment and Transfer of Command - Unified Command - Accountability - Dispatch/Deployment - Information and Intelligence Management

- Incident Facilities and Locations Explanation: In accordance with Incident Facilities and Locations, you have requested to establish an Incident Command Post because of the complexity of the incident. - Establishment and Transfer of Command Explanation: In accordance with Establishment and Transfer of Command and as the organization with the primary responsibility for the incident, you are clearly establishing command. - Unified Command Explanation: In accordance with Unified Command, you are allowing agencies with different legal, geographic, and functional responsibilities (Health Care and Public Works) to work together effectively without affecting individual agency authority, responsibility, or accountability.

General Staff immediately come together and begin developing strategies. General Staff Chiefs are: - Evaluating staffing and supervisory needs in the Incident Command Post. - Identifying resource shortfalls. - Updating planning documents. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. - Common Terminology - Management by Objectives - Incident Action Planning - Manageable Span of Control - Unified Command - Accountability

- Management by Objectives Explanation: In accordance with Management by Objectives, the Command and General Staff begin developing strategies based upon the previous objectives. - Incident Action Planning Explanation: In accordance with Incident Action Planning, the Command and General Staff are updating planning documents to include staffing and resource needs. - Manageable Span of Control Explanation: In accordance with Manageable Span of Control, General staff chiefs are evaluating staffing needs in the Incident Command Post to ensure no one supervisor has more personnel than can be managed.

Scenario: - You are the Middle School Principal. - You and the Shelter Manager notify the Incident Command Post that several people are complaining of severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. - You ask for assistance from medical and public health personnel. - You also request additional sanitation supplies, bedding, and bathing materials. - The Operations Section Chief is requesting additional assistance from the Emergency Operations Center for a specialized monitoring team to be deployed to the shelter to survey for a possible outbreak. Survey results will be shared with Health and Public Works departments. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. - Common Terminology - Modular Organization - Incident Action Planning - Integrated Communications - Unified Command - Information and Intelligence Management

- Modular Organization Explanation: In accordance with Modular Organization, the Operations Section Chief has asked for a specialized monitoring team, resulting in the expansion of the organization due to the increasing complexity of the incident. - Information and Intelligence Management Explanation: In accordance with Information and Intelligence Management, the Operations Section Chief has analyzed the information you and the Shelter Manager have shared and has taken action based on this additional information.

True or False Span of control refers to the fact that a supervisor can effectively manage an unlimited amount of resources.

False If too much responsibility is given to the supervisor, the span of control may become unmanageable.

Scenario: You are the Middle School Principal. As shelter operations are beginning to phase down, you continue to be concerned about the illness suffered by the residents of your facility, which was confirmed to be a food borne illness from donated food. Since school will resume soon, you want to reassure school staff and parents that there are no residual risks. You request the newly formed Unified Command for a public information broadcast and a representative from the Health Department to share information regarding the illness and be available to answer questions. What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? - Modular Organization - Comprehensive Resource Management - Dispatch/Deployment - Information and Intelligence Management

Information and Intelligence Management Information and Intelligence Management includes establishing a process for gathering, sharing, and managing incident-related information.

Yes or No Statement: "This is Unit 1, we have a 10-37, Code 2." Does this statement comply with the NIMS Management Characteristic of common terminology?

No The goal of common terminology is to promote understanding among all parties involved in managing an incident. Radio codes, agency-specific codes, acronyms, or jargon should not be used.

Match the description with its ICS Functional Area Conducts operations to reach the incident objectives. Establishes tactics and directs all operational resources.

Operations

Statement: My section conducts response activities such as search and rescue, and coordinates medical services being provided to disaster survivors. - Operations Section Chief - Planning Section Chief - Logistics Section Chief - Finance/Administration Section Chief

Operations Section Chief At the incident scene, the Operations Section Chief is the person with the greatest technical and tactical expertise in dealing with the problem at hand. The Operations Section Chief: - Develops and implements strategy and tactics to carry out the incident objectives. - Organizes, assigns, and supervises the response resources.

Match the description with its ICS Functional Area Supports the incident action planning process by tracking resources, collecting/analyzing information, and maintaining documentation.

Planning

Scenario: The Deputy Incident Commander will be replacing the current Incident Commander, who needs to attend to a family emergency. The current Incident Commander should: - Leave the scene to allow the new Commander to take over - Write an Incident Action Plan for the new Commander - Provide a transfer-of-command briefing to the new Commander - Continue to provide direction to the Deputy Incident Commander while on leave, using teleconferences

Provide a transfer-of-command briefing to the new Commander When command is transferred, the process should include a briefing that captures all essential information for continuing safe and effective operations.