Download ICS 100 – Lesson 4: ICS Features and Principles and more Exercises Communication in PDF only on Docsity!
Lesson Overview
The ICS Features and Principles lesson introduces you to:
Use of Common Terminology. Incident Facilities. Common ICS Responsibilities.
This lesson should take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Remember, you must complete the entire lesson to receive credit.
Common Terminology
The ability to communicate within ICS is absolutely critical. Using standard or common terminology is essential to ensuring efficient, clear communication. ICS requires the use of common terminology, meaning standard titles for facilities and positions within the organization.
Common terminology also includes the use of “clear text”—that is, communication without the use of agency-specific codes or jargon. In other words, use plain English.
Uncommon Terminology: “APHIS Branch, this is PPQ ID 1, we are 10-24.”
Common Terminology: “APHIS Branch, this is PPQ ID 1, we have completed our assignment.”
Organizational Elements and Resources
As you learned earlier, organizational elements require a consistent pattern for designating each level within the ICS organization.
Resources are also assigned common designations. Many kinds of resources may also be classified by type, which will indicate their capabilities (e.g., types of helicopters, sprayers, etc.).
Organizational Facilities
Common terminology is also used to define incident facilities, help clarify the activities that take place at a specific facility, and identify what members of the organization can be found there.
Incident facilities will be addressed in greater detail later in this lesson.
Use of Position Titles
As mentioned previously, ICS Command and General Staff positions have distinct titles.
Only the Incident Commander is called Commander. Only the heads of the Sections in the General Staff are called Chiefs.
Learning and using this standard terminology helps reduce confusion between the day-to-day position occupied by an individual and his or her position at the incident.
The following are standardized titles used in ICS:
Organizational Level Title Support Position Incident Command Incident Commander Deputy Command Staff Officer Assistant General Staff (Section) Chief Deputy Branch Director Deputy Division/Group Supervisor N/A Unit Leader Manager Strike Team/Task Force Leader Single Resource Boss
Integrated Communications
Every incident requires a Communications Plan. Communications includes:
The “hardware” systems that transfer information. Planning for the use of all available communications frequencies and resources. The procedures and processes for transferring information internally and externally.
Communications needs for large incidents may exceed available radio frequencies. Some incidents are conducted entirely without radio support. In such situations, other communications resources (cell phones, alpha pagers, email, and secure phone lines) may be the only communication methods used to coordinate communication and to transfer large amounts of data efficiently.
Common Responsibilities
You should now be familiar with the use of common terminology and the various types of incident facilities. In this section, you’ll learn about your responsibilities.
The next screens review the common responsibilities associated with ICS assignments. You will receive additional training and guidance on your specific duties.
Your First ICS Deployment
Wondering what your first deployment will be like?
Dr. Bill Smith USDA, Veterinary Services
“My tips would be follow, don’t reinvent. Work within the ICS structure because it’s proven to be successful and let it work for you. Don’t get in there and say well, we don’t do it this way, try it their way, you’ll be surprised.”
Dr. Carey Floyd Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
“I would say be sure and, and take your notebook because you are going to want to take notes. Go with some questions in mind but be willing to spend some time to just sit back and watch what’s going on.”
Van Bateman USDA, Forest Service
“Make sure you know exactly what your responsibility is, exactly what’s expected of you. Make sure that whoever you are working for on that given day sits down and gives you a very complete briefing on what to expect that day and what you are going to be doing and where you are going to be doing it at.”
General Guidelines – Lengthy Assignments
Many incidents last only a short time, and may not require travel. Other deployments may require a lengthy assignment away from home. Below are general guidelines for incidents requiring extended stays or travel:
- Assemble a travel kit containing any special technical information (e.g., maps, manuals, contact lists, and reference materials).
- Prepare personal items needed for your estimated length of stay, including medications, cash, credit cards, etc.
- Ensure that family members know your destination and how to contact you.
- Determine appropriate travel authorizations.
- Familiarize yourself with travel and pickup arrangements.
- Determine your return mode of transportation (if possible).
- Determine payroll procedures (at incident or through home agency).
General Guidelines—Roles and Authorities
In addition to preparing for your travel arrangements, it is important to understand your role and authorities.
- Review your emergency assignment. Know to whom you will report and what your responsibilities will be.
- Establish a clear understanding of your decisionmaking authority.
- Determine communications procedures for contacting your headquarters or home office (if necessary).
- Identify purchasing authority and procedures.
- Determine how food and lodging will be provided (incident, personal, and agency).
Actions Prior to Departure
Upon receiving an incident assignment, your deployment briefing should include, but may not be limited to, the following information:
- Incident type and name or designation
- Incident check-in location
- Specific assignment
- Reporting date and time
- Travel instructions
- Communications instructions
- Resource order number or request number (if applicable)
- Special support requirements (facilities, equipment transportation and off-loading, etc.)
- Travel authorization for air, rental car, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses
Check-In at the Incident: Activities
Check-in officially logs you in at the incident. The check-in process and information helps to:
- Ensure personnel accountability.
- Track resources.
- Prepare personnel for assignments and reassignments.
- Locate personnel in case of an emergency.
- Establish personnel time records and payroll documentation.
- Plan for releasing personnel.
- Organize the demobilization process.
Communications Discipline
Important considerations related to communications include:
- Observing strict radio/telephone procedures.
- Using plain English in all communications. Codes should not be used in radio transmissions. Limit the use of discipline-specific jargon, especially on interdisciplinary incidents.
- Limiting radio and telephone traffic to essential information only. Plan what you are going to say.
- Following procedures for secure communications as required.
Incident Demobilization
Agency requirements for demobilization may vary considerably. General demobilization guidelines for all personnel are to:
- Complete all work assignments and required forms/reports.
- Brief replacements, subordinates, and supervisor.
- Follow incident and agency check-out procedures.
- Provide adequate followup contact information.
- Return any incident-issued equipment or other nonexpendable supplies.
- Complete postincident reports, critiques, and medical followup.
- Complete all payment and/or payroll issues or obligations.
- Report to assigned departure points on time or slightly ahead of schedule.
- Stay with your group until you arrive at your final destination (as appropriate).
Lesson Summary
You have completed the ICS Features & Principles lesson. This lesson addressed that:
- The ability to communicate within ICS is absolutely critical. Using standard or common terminology (clear text) is essential to ensuring efficient, clear communication.
- Incident facilities will be established depending on the kind and complexity of the incident or event. Only those facilities needed for any given incident will be activated.
- Common ICS responsibilities include preparing travel arrangements, understanding your role and authorities, the check-in process, incident recordkeeping, and preparing for demobilization.
You have now completed all of the ICS content lessons! When you are ready, you should proceed to the Course Summary and Posttest. To receive credit for the course, you must complete the posttest.
