Incident Command, Emergency Management, and Coordination
ICS fundamentals
Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, modular, scalable management structure. The five functions are Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. Candidates must know that Command sets objectives and strategy; Operations executes tactics; Planning develops the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and tracks resources; Logistics obtains resources; Finance tracks costs and reimbursement. A frequent trap: confusing who "owns" the IAP (Planning) with who approves it (the Incident Commander).
Command and coordination
Understand unity of command (one supervisor per person), span of control (3–7, optimal 5), and the difference between single command, unified command (multiple agencies with jurisdiction share command), and area command (oversight of multiple incidents). Know the roles of the Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer as Command Staff. Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) mirrors ICS and integrates with the community's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which coordinates support but does not command field operations.
Transitions and documentation
Recognize when to transfer or expand command and the importance of the incident briefing and transfer-of-command briefing. Documentation supports reimbursement (FEMA) and after-action review.
Rule of thumb: The EOC supports; the IC commands. If a question asks who directs tactical operations, the answer is the IC or Operations Section Chief-not the EOC.
Worked example: A mass-casualty bus crash draws fire, EMS, and police. Because each has jurisdiction, they form a unified command and co-locate, sharing objectives while retaining their own chain of command.