Response and Incident Coordination
Two systems working together
Response relies on ICS at the incident command post and an EOC supporting at the policy and coordination level. ICS organizes command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration; the EOC sets priorities, resolves policy conflicts, and obtains resources. Items that have the EOC issuing tactical orders, or the incident commander directing a whole jurisdiction's policy, are wrong.
Command mechanics
Command transfers only after a briefing and explicit acceptance. Unified command is used when several agencies or jurisdictions have incident authority and agree to shared objectives under a single incident action plan. Span of control is classically three to seven subordinates, with five as the target; beyond that, structure must be expanded or reconfigured.
Resource and information management
Use a single resource ordering point and track resources from check-in through demobilization. Mutual aid and pre-scripted contracts speed resource acquisition. A common operating picture depends on interoperable communications and disciplined situational reporting. The planning cycle produces an incident action plan for each operational period, capturing objectives, organization, and tactical assignments.
Traps
Assuming the first arriving responder permanently retains command; confusing unified command with a liaison or with a multi-agency coordination group; treating the EOC as a command post; skipping demobilization and documentation.
Rule of thumb: If you cannot answer "who is in charge, and what is the objective for this operational period?" on one page, the response structure needs attention before the next operational period begins.