ICS (Incident Command System)
/NIMS (National Incident Management
System) Questions and Answers
Where does ICS fall under the NIMS major components? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Command and
Coordination
What are some benefits of ICS? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Clarifying Chain of Command
Inter-operable systems and plain language to improve communicaions
Orderly systematic planning process
Common, flexible predesigned structure
Fostering cooperation between diverse disciplines and agencies
ICS helps to ensure: - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Safety of responders and others
Achievement of tactical objectives
Efficient use of resources
Common Terminology - <CORRECT ANSWER >>To promote understanding among all parties
involved in managing an incident.
Organizational Functions: named defined and consistent
Resource Descriptions: given common names
Incident Facilities: given common names
Communications are in common terms
ICS modular organization - <CORRECT ANSWER >>The ICS organizational structure:
, Develops in a top-down, modular fashion that is based on the size and complexity of the
incident.
Is determined based on the incident objectives and resource requirements. Only those
functions or positions necessary for a particular incident are filled.
Expands and contracts in a flexible manner. When needed, separate functional elements may
be established.
Requires that each element have a person in charge.
Responsibility lies with Incident Commander
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ZI<CORRECTZIANSWERZI>>EstablishingZIspecific,ZImeasurableZIobjectives.
IdentifyingZIwaysZItoZImeetZItheZIobjectives.
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DocumentingZIresultsZIofZItheZIobjectives
IncidentZIActionZIPlanningZI(IAP)ZI-
ZI<CORRECTZIANSWERZI>>AddressesZItheZIneedsZIofZIfutureZItimeZIframesZI(operationalZIperiods).
AZIconcise,ZIbutZIthoroughZIwayZIofZIcapturingZIandZIcommunicatingZIpriorities,ZIobjectives,ZIstrategi
es,ZItacticsZIandZIassignmentsZIofZIoperationalZIandZIsupportZIactivities.
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/NIMS (National Incident Management
System) Questions and Answers
Where does ICS fall under the NIMS major components? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Command and
Coordination
What are some benefits of ICS? - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Clarifying Chain of Command
Inter-operable systems and plain language to improve communicaions
Orderly systematic planning process
Common, flexible predesigned structure
Fostering cooperation between diverse disciplines and agencies
ICS helps to ensure: - <CORRECT ANSWER >>Safety of responders and others
Achievement of tactical objectives
Efficient use of resources
Common Terminology - <CORRECT ANSWER >>To promote understanding among all parties
involved in managing an incident.
Organizational Functions: named defined and consistent
Resource Descriptions: given common names
Incident Facilities: given common names
Communications are in common terms
ICS modular organization - <CORRECT ANSWER >>The ICS organizational structure:
, Develops in a top-down, modular fashion that is based on the size and complexity of the
incident.
Is determined based on the incident objectives and resource requirements. Only those
functions or positions necessary for a particular incident are filled.
Expands and contracts in a flexible manner. When needed, separate functional elements may
be established.
Requires that each element have a person in charge.
Responsibility lies with Incident Commander
ManagementZIofZIObjectivesZI-
ZI<CORRECTZIANSWERZI>>EstablishingZIspecific,ZImeasurableZIobjectives.
IdentifyingZIwaysZItoZImeetZItheZIobjectives.
IssuingZIassignments,ZIplans,ZIprocedureZIandZIprotocolsZItoZIaccomplishZItheZItasks
DocumentingZIresultsZIofZItheZIobjectives
IncidentZIActionZIPlanningZI(IAP)ZI-
ZI<CORRECTZIANSWERZI>>AddressesZItheZIneedsZIofZIfutureZItimeZIframesZI(operationalZIperiods).
AZIconcise,ZIbutZIthoroughZIwayZIofZIcapturingZIandZIcommunicatingZIpriorities,ZIobjectives,ZIstrategi
es,ZItacticsZIandZIassignmentsZIofZIoperationalZIandZIsupportZIactivities.
ManageableZISpanZIofZIControlZI-
ZI<CORRECTZIANSWERZI>>IdeallyZInoZImoreZIthanZI5!!ZInumberZIofZIpersonnelZIunderZIanyZIindividuals
ZIdirectZIcontrol.ZI3-7ZIisZItheZIacceptableZIrange
IncidentZIFacilitiesZIandZILocationsZI-ZI<CORRECTZIANSWERZI>>TypicallyZIinclude:
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IncidentZIbase,ZIstagingZIareas,ZIandZIcamps
MassZIcasualtyZItriageZIareas
PointZIofZIdistribution