St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Incident Command System Policy 46.9 PDF

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Incident Command System Policy 46.9 Effective Date: 06/30/2006 Amended Date: 05/08/2023 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 46.1.2, 46.1.3, 46.1.4, 46.1.5, 46.1.6, 46.1.7, 46.1.9, 46.1.12, 46.1.13 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: 12.01 FMJS: Discussion: Th...

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ROBERT A. HARDWICK, SHERIFF Incident Command System Policy 46.9 Effective Date: 06/30/2006 Amended Date: 05/08/2023 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS CALEA: 46.1.2, 46.1.3, 46.1.4, 46.1.5, 46.1.6, 46.1.7, 46.1.9, 46.1.12, 46.1.13 CFA: FCAC: FLA-TAC: 12.01 FMJS: Discussion: The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office uses the Incident Command System (ICS) / National Incident Management System (NIMS) as a method of response to organize both shortterm and long-term field-level operations for an “All Hazards” approach to a broad spectrum of emergencies. Incident Command System may also be used during a scene / incident where the agency is the only agency on scene. This policy is to be used in conjunction with the Emergency Tactical Deployment (ETD) Manual. [46.1.2] [FLA-TAC 12.01] DEFINITIONS [46.1.2] Agency – Refers to St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office All Hazard Incident / Event – Any natural or man-made event, civil disturbance, or any occurrence of unusual or severe nature which threatens to cause or causes the loss of life or injury to persons and / or severe damage to property, and requires extraordinary measures to protect lives, meet human needs, and achieve recovery. Chief – The Incident Command System title for individuals responsible for command of functional sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance / Administration. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) – The Emergency Operations Center is a central command and control facility. A pre-designated facility established to coordinate and support the overall agency response during an unusual occurrence or high-risk incident. Evacuation – An organized, phased, and supervised dispersal of civilians from dangerous or potentially dangerous areas, and their reception and care in safe areas. Incident Action Plans - For the specific event, the response is coordinated and managed through one plan of action. The Incident Action Plan (IAP) may be verbal or written. The Incident Action Plan ensures everyone is working towards the same goals. Incident Command System 46.9 Page 1 of 8 Incident Command Post – A centralized base of operation established near the site of an incident at which primary command functions are executed. The Incident Command Post is the location where the Incident Commander operates during response operations. There is generally only one Incident Command Post for each incident or event, but it may change locations during the event. Every incident or event must have some form of an Incident Command Post. The Incident Command Post may be located in a vehicle, trailer, tent, or within a building. The Incident Command Post will be positioned outside of the present and potential hazard zone but close enough to the incident to maintain command. Incident Command System (ICS) – The Incident Command System is a management system used to organize emergency response. Incident Commander – A deputy who is responsible for the planning, exercising, execution and facilitation of the emergency management plans. During the activation of the Incident Command System (ICS), the Incident Commander serves as liaison to other governmental organizations or agencies. Multi-jurisdictional Incident – An incident requiring action from multiple agencies, each having a jurisdiction to manage certain aspects of an incident. In Incident Command System these incidents will be managed under Unified Command. National Incident Management System (NIMS)- integrates effective practices in emergency preparedness and response into a comprehensive national framework for incident management. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) enables responders at all levels to work together more effectively to manage domestic incidents no matter what the cause, size or complexity. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) incorporates existing best practices into a nation-wide, standardized domestic incident management system applicable to all hazards and all levels of government. Incident Command System 46.9 Page 2 of 8 GENERAL.1 Law enforcement and other agencies must deal with incidents / disasters with little or no notice. Immediate and decisive action is required to minimize loss of life, reduce property damage, and permit authorities to fulfill their obligations. NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM [46.1.2].2 National Incident Management System (NIMS) was developed by Homeland Security.  National Incident Management System provides a consistent, flexible and adjustable national framework within which government and private entities at all levels work together to manage domestic incidents, regardless of their cause, size, location or complexity.  National Incident Management System provides a set of standard organizational structures, processes, procedures and systems designed to improve performance among jurisdictions and disciplines in various areas..3 National Incident Management System standard incident command structures are based on three key organizational systems:  The Incident Command System  Multi-agency Coordination System  Public Information Systems INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS).4 The Incident Command System (ICS) has proven to be a very effective system with a clear point of control that can be expanded or contracted as the situation warrants..5 Incident Command System may be used during an incident / event where the agency is the only agency on scene, as well as multi-jurisdictional / multi-agency incidents which may include, but not be limited to the following: [46.1.2]  Civil disturbances: riots, disorders, and violence rising from dissident gatherings and marches, political conventions and labor disputes  Air, rail, water or ground transportation incidents  Fires, hazmat, explosions, and multi-casualty incidents.  Multi-jurisdiction and multi-agency disasters  Natural disasters: floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes  Planned events (parades, concerts, celebrations, political events)  Single and multi-agency law enforcement incidents  Wide-area search and rescue missions.6 Incidents / events are further classified by Type 1-5. See policy 46.1 All-Hazards Incident Response Plan..7 The Incident Commander may call for assistance from agency Emergency Preparedness at any time during an incident or event. Incident Command System 46.9 Page 3 of 8 INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM FUNCTIONS [46.1.2].8 Incident Command System is a Component of National Incident Management System (NIMS). The Incident Command System is comprised of five (5) primary elements: Command, Operations, Logistics, Planning and Finance / Administration. Each of the primary elements is assigned personnel as needed to conduct the operation. The Incident Commander exercises all control for the incident and directs the efforts of the personnel in charge of each of the functional elements. ICS Incident Command Information Safety Liaison Operations Section Staging Areas Planning Section Resources Unit Branches Divisions Groups Air Operations Branch Strike Teams Task Forces Single Resource Air Support Group Air Tactical Group Situation Unit Documentation Unit Demobilization Unit Logistics Section Service Branch Finance/Administration Section Support Branch Communications Unit Supply Unit Medical Unit Facilities Unit Food Unit Ground Support Unit Time Unit Procurement Unit Compensation/ Claims Unit Cost Unit Technical Specialist Command Function [46.1.2] [46.1.3 a-i].9 The Incident Command System (ICS) is responsible for all incident or event activity. At a minimum, the command function will address the following:  Activating the incident command system  Establishing a command post  Initiating the notification and mobilization of additional agency personnel  Obtaining support from other agencies  Establishing a unified command, if necessary  Establishing a staging area, if necessary  Providing public information and maintaining media relations  Maintaining the safety of all affected personnel  Preparing a documented after action report Command Staff Officer Functions [46.1.2].10 Information Officer – the point of contact for media and other agencies requiring information directly from the incident..11 Safety Officer – assesses hazardous and unsafe situations and develops measures for ensuring personnel safety..12 Liaison Officer – the point of contact for representatives from other agencies. Incident Command System 46.9 Page 4 of 8 Operations Function [46.1.2] [46.1.4, a-f].13 The operations function is responsible for the management of all tactical operations directly related to the primary mission. At a minimum, the operations function will address the following:  Establishing perimeters  Conducting evacuations  Maintaining command post and scene security  Providing for detainee transportation, processing, and confinement  Directing and controlling traffic  Conducting post-incident investigation Planning Function [46.1.2] [46.1.5, a-c].14 The planning function is responsible for collecting and evaluating information about the incident, the status of resources, and anticipated equipment and manpower needs. At a minimum, the planning function will address the following:  Preparing a documented incident action plan  Gathering and disseminating information and intelligence  Participating in a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) / Continuity of Government Plan (COG) [46.1.13]  Planning post-incident demobilization Logistics Function [46.1.2] [46.1.6 a-e].15 The logistics function provides manpower, facilities, services, and materials in support of the critical incident / unusual occurrence. At a minimum, the logistics function will address the following:  Communications  Transportation  Medical support  Supplies  Specialized team and equipment needs Finance / Administration Function [46.1.2] [46.1.7, a-e].16 Keeps track of incident-related costs, personnel and equipment records and administers procurement contracts associated with the event and is responsible for the following:  Recording personnel time  Procuring additional resources  Recording expenses  Documenting injuries and liability issues  Preparing appropriate reimbursement documents, if applicable Incident Command System 46.9 Page 5 of 8 INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE [46.1.2] Managerial Level Incident Command Operations Branch Planning Branch Division Single Resource Task Forces Strike Teams Command Logistics Branch Finance/ Administration Branch Group Units within Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration Units Section Chief Directors Supervisors Leaders COMMAND PROTOCOL [46.1.2] [46.1.3, a].17 The first arriving Supervisor, regardless of rank, jurisdictional boundaries and / or agency, shall establish Incident Command System (ICS)..18 The primary responsibility of the initial Incident Commander is the overall scene management for the incident not solely the management of personnel within their field of discipline (law enforcement, fire, etc.)..19 The initial Incident Commander on scene should provide the following information:  Unit and radio designation, specific to agency  A brief description of the incident  Conditions of incident  Brief description of actions to be taken  Define strategy of actions which must be taken immediately to assist the potential victims and / or general public  Safety concerns  Assume Incident Command until transfer, if needed, is made  Identify geographical command location  Request resources.20 The Incident Commander shall remain in charge of the scene until relieved by a higherranking officer of the same discipline and who is fully qualified to manage the incident, regardless of the agency or jurisdictional boundaries..21 In certain situations, command may be transferred to a ranking officer of a different discipline in order to mitigate a potential threat or to provide a specific function for the incident. These situations may include, but not be limited to:  Fire officer transfers command to law enforcement for criminal intent activity such as a potential bomb threat  Law enforcement transfers command to Fire Rescue for mitigation of fire suppression, victim removal, chemical / biological confinement or chemical spill Incident Command System 46.9 Page 6 of 8 COMMUNICATION: COMMON TERMINOLOGY [46.1.2].22 An emergency response organization is made up of individuals who normally may not work together as a team except during emergency response operations. Clear text communications are critical in an effective multi-agency incident management system. During the use of the Incident Command System radio codes, agency-specific codes and jargon are not used. MUTUAL AID.23 The Sheriff of St. Johns County will maintain ultimate command of all agency mutual aid resources..24 The Incident Commander is responsible for requesting mutual aid assistance. WRITTEN PLANS AND PROCEDURES [46.1.2] [46.1.13].25 The Emergency Tactical Deployment Manual, Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), Hurricane Specific Manual, and Corrections Division policies contain plans for responding to critical incidents / unusual occurrences.26 The agency has a COOP to ensure the continuous performance of the agency’s essential functions and operations during critical incidents. TRAINING [46.1.9].27 Incident Command System training is required at all levels of Law Enforcement / Corrections assignment. The courses listed below are designed to be taken in a progressive manner so employees achieve a better understand of the ICS system and their roles and the roles of others within ICS during incidents. All Sworn and Designated Civilian  IS-100 or IS-100LEb- Introduction to ICS or earlier equivalent  IS-200.b Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents or earlier equivalent Sworn LE Sergeants  G-300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, completed prior to promotion to Sergeants. Sworn LE Lieutenants  G-400 Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff - Complex Incidents, completed prior to promotion. Incident Command System 46.9 Page 7 of 8.28 Documented annual training on the Emergency Tactical Deployment Manual (All Hazards Plan) to include the Incident Command System (ICS) for affected agency personnel. [46.1.9, a].29 Documented biennial training consisting of a tabletop or full-scale exercise to assess the agency’s capabilities with the Emergency Tactical Deployment Manual (All Hazards Plan), COOP, and the Incident Command System (ICS). [46.1.9, b] [46.1.13].30 Each sworn employee shall receive documented biennial training consisting of response to crowd control situations with an opportunity for discussion of agency philosophies and strategies. [46.1.12] POST INCIDENT REPORTING.31 After the completion of an incident, the Patrol Division Director or designee will ensure an after-action report is completed. ____________________ Robert A. Hardwick Sheriff Incident Command System 46.9 Page 8 of 8