Incident information is used across ICS, EOCs, MAC Groups, and JIS to aid in planning, detmine incident costs, and identify safety issues. Each AHJ determines how far individuals need to progress based on their role within ICS and the size and complexity of the incidents that personnel respond to on a regular basis. In the FEMA National Incident Management System, the manageable span of control is the management characteristic that refers to the number of subordinates that directly report to a supervisor. Chain of command and unity of command help to ensure clear reporting relationships exist and eliminate the confusion caused by multiple, conflicting directives.
The main components of information systems are computer hardware and software, telecommunications, databases and data warehouses, human resources, and procedures. The public information systems described in NIMS are designed to effectively manage public information at an incident, regardless of the size and complexity of the situation or the number of entities involved in the response. The OSC after action report shall record the situation as it developed, the actions taken, the resources committed, and the problems encountered.
U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage is the DOD component most knowledgeable and experienced in ship salvage, harbor clearance, towing, oil and hazardous spill response, underwater ship repair, and diving. The U.S. Navy has an extensive array of specialized equipment and personnel available for use in these areas as well as specialized containment, collection, and removal equipment specifically designed for salvage-related and open-sea pollution incidents. In addition to the capabilities provided by SUPSALV, DOD may also, consistent with operational commitments, provide locally deployed Navy oil spill response equipment and operating personnel. The OSHA Response Team can support the OSC/RPM in the area of response worker safety and health. The team can provide safety and health expertise and support for incidents involving toxic industrial chemicals, chemical warfare agents, biological agents, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, collapsed structures, demolition and other construction-type activities.
If necessary, resources can be organized into functional Groups or geographic Divisions. For very large incidents, divisions/groups can be organized under multiple Branches. The on-scene IC or UC must maintain a “big picture” perspective of the incident in order to set objectives and strategies that collectively delineate a course of action. Hence, a key responsibility of the IC or UC involves obtaining early and frequent input from all assisting agencies and responders.
MAC Groups act as policy-level bodies during incidents, supporting resource prioritization and allocation, and enabling decision making among elected and appointed officials and those responsible for managing the incident (e.g., the Incident Commander). There are four NIMS Structures that enable incident managers to manage and coordinate incident response in a unified, consistent manner. Together these four elements comprise the NIMS Command and Coordinating structures. Logistics Section Chief is responsible for ensuring that assigned incident personnel are fed and have communications, medical support, and transportation as needed to meet the operational objectives. The Multi-Agency Coordination Group is responsible for cooperative multi-agency decisions.
Traffic management plan—Describes procedures to direct and control the flow of traffic; determines the placement of barricades, warning lights, or signs for the duration of the highway incident impeding normal traffic flow. The IC uses the initial incident briefing as a key step in initiating the appropriate ICS according to the federal regulations, research is eligible for exemption, if: structure for effectively and efficiently managing an incident. Agency Representatives may recognize a necessary transfer of command or elect to replace the IC with a UC structure. The current IC should brief the incoming Command, and all on-scene responders should be immediately notified of the Command shift.
