ICS Implementation and Procedure

Unified Command and Incident Command System

• Unified command is a way to carry out command where responding agencies and/or jurisdictions with responsibility for the incident control incident management.
• The Incident Command System (ICS) is implemented and executed during all agency responses to critical incidents, unusual incidents, and weapons of mass destruction.
• The ICS operational protocols and procedures are used during any agency response situation requiring command and control of more than four law enforcement officers, two or more regional assets, or any situation deemed appropriate by an on-scene supervisor.

Incident Commander

• The first on-scene deputy sheriff assumes the role and responsibility of the Incident Commander (IC) until properly relieved.
• The IC has complete authority and responsibility for conducting field operations during an incident.
• The mere presence of a ranking senior officer at the scene does not indicate their assumption of command; they must specifically assume command or be assigned a specific functional task by the IC.

Radio Procedure

• A minimum of three radio channels are designated for all incidents requiring the Incident Command System.
• The channels are: Operations Channel, Tactical Channel, and Staging Channel.
• The use of 10-codes is suspended, and clear talk is utilized.
• Situation reports over the radio are given using the "C.A.N Report" method: Conditions, Actions, and Needs.
• The Tactical Alert Protocol is communicated to dispatch as soon as the need is identified.

Duties of the First On-Scene Deputy Sheriff

• Critical tasks of the first arriving deputy:
  • Engage any threat present
  • Assume the role of Incident Commander and change radio designator to "COMMAND"
  • Identify danger areas
• Perform an initial assessment of the incident
• Establish Casualty Collection Points (CCP) and DLE/CCP manager

Duties of the First On-Scene Supervisor

• Critical tasks of the first on-scene supervisor:
  • Obtain briefing from the IC
  • Assume command of the incident if deemed appropriate and announce to the dispatcher
  • Establish an Incident Command Post (ICP) and communicate its exact location to dispatch
  • Start accountability of deputies on scene and assign an Incident Scribe
  • Review and ensure the first on-scene deputy sheriff's three critical tasks have been accomplished

Establishing Perimeter and Incident Command Post

• Ensure the effectiveness of the Inner Perimeter
• Establish an Outer Perimeter to limit and control access to the emergency incident area
• Identify and secure safe routes of travel for emergency vehicles
• Maintain clear lanes of ingress and egress for support vehicles
• Establish a secured ICP between the inner and outer perimeter

Establishing Staging Areas

• Establish a Primary and Alternate Staging Area outside the inner perimeter
• Assign a supervisor to respond to the staging area and assume the duties of the Staging Area Manager
• Ensure all unassigned units report to the staging area and communicate only on the assigned staging channel

Media Staging Area

• Establish a Media Staging Area in the cold zone and away from any incident command facilities
• The media staging area is of adequate size to accommodate the estimated number of members and their media equipment

This quiz covers the implementation and procedure of the Incident Command System (ICS) for responding to critical incidents and unusual events.