Regional training course on incident command system for disaster management

All emergencies and crisis events are by definition and nature chaotic and highly dynamic, creating physical, emotional, and social disorder. During such moments of emergencies, Incident Command system (ICS) has proven to be an effective mechanism to manage incidents of disarray and confusion and to restore order in a chaotic environment.

The ICS is a single standardized emergency management system designed to allow users to adopt an integrated organizational structure equal to the complexity and demands of any size or type of emergency incident. It functions to incorporate and fully utilize all assigned resources and expertise from multiple agencies, and can operate in a multi-jurisdictional environment. The ICS provides accurate information, strict accountability, planning, and cost effective operations and logistical support for any incident.

This course is designed to enable practitioners to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System (ICS). This course focuses on the management of single resources.
The objectives of the ICS course is to provide participants with the in-depth knowledge on Incident Command System, describe the ICS organization appropriate to the complexity of the incident or event and use ICS to manage an incident or event efficiently.

Course approach and content

The proposed training will offer course work, hands on training with series of table top simulation exercises, lessons learned, good practices and field visit. The course consists of the following subjects:

Module 1. Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS)

Module 2. Leadership and Management- (describe chain of command, responsibilities and formal communication relationships, span of control and modular development)

Module 3. Delegation of Authority and Management by Objectives

Module 4. Functional Areas and Positions (describe the functions of organizational positions within the ICS, tools needed to manage an incident)

Module 5. Briefings (describe components of field, staff, and section briefings/meetings, give an operational period briefing)

Module 6. Organizational Flexibility (explain how the modular organization expands and contracts, complexity analysis, five types of incidents)

Module 7. Transfer of Command (describe the process of transfer of command, list the essential elements of information involved in transfer of command)
The course will also share standard templates, forms, and check list to efficiently manage any incident.