The Incident Command System: High-Reliability Organizing Tasks

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The ICS or incident command system must have the following main aspects:

unity of command,
common terminology,
management by objectives,
modular organization
span of control.

Before anything else is done in a natural disaster rescue operation, the ICS or incident command system requires that there should be a unity of command, where each participating unit, sector, agency or individual reports to only one supervisor. The reason behind this is to avoid different conflicting orders and dissuade freelancing.

Having a unity of command increases the responsibility of the heads and improves the flow of information, which is expected to boost safety operations due to proper coordination of efforts.

While it is expected that the chain of command will eventually change hands, the common scenario is that the first incident commander will necessarily have to relinquish the responsibility to a higher-ranking and more experienced individual as the events progress (Bigley et al, 2001).

Aside from the establishment of a unity of command, a common terminology must be utilized among all sectors and units to improve operational communication of the various divisions involved in the operation. Proper dissemination of codes and language to be used in the form of a written manual must be accomplished prior to any actual operation.

This is to ensure that everyone engaged in the situation knows and understand what is being conveyed by another individual. In addition to the two foregoing features of an ICS, the system likewise entails the employment of management by objectives. This means that every objective or goal of the whole operation must be very specific or detailed; and should be accomplished within a reasonable timeframe.

Such objectives call for the development of general action plans that are carried out through suitable approaches or tactics. Relatively, the span of control within an ICS or incident command system pertains to the management of people.

Personnel under one supervisor or head are normally limited to 3 to 7 persons only. Should there be more than 7 personnel under one supervisor, the structure must be expanded to form new sections/divisions in order to delegate responsibility.

This limits the resources and individual responsibilities of every supervisor within the system. Last but not the least on the key features of an ICS is its form of organization, which is a top-down modular form

of organization. This type of organizational structure necessitates that authoritative and important positions are primarily created prior to the expansion of other managerial positions which will be created later on as the situation requires (Anderson et al, 2004).

Incorporating the preceding aspects of an ICS in a volcano disaster, I being appointed to implement the ICS will be the incident commander and will initially employ 5 personnel who will report directly to me; and would have the responsibilities to gather data, do reports and design a set of specific attainable objectives.

This will include the establishment of common terminology, which will be used during the entire actual rescue and relief operations.

The incident commander who is appointed to oversee a volcano disaster should include the following objectives in the incident action plan: First is the establishment of the danger zone and command post to be able to distinguish areas in critical condition and the base of operations.

The second objective would be the acquisition of necessary equipment and personnel to aid in the evacuation and rescue of residents within the established danger zone area. This is essential in rescue operations because adequate and appropriate equipment in the hands of trained rescue workers will contribute to the success of the operation.

Third goal is the identification of safe evacuation centers so people who have to leave their homes have a safe place to go and stay temporarily. And the fourth objective is the assistance in the procurement of relief supplies for the victims and rescue workers involved in the calamity.

Tapping of sources for food, water and other basic supplies for the people currently staying in evacuation centers is required because their access to any finances that will provide their daily needs is temporarily brought to a halt.

References

Anderson, A. I., Compton, D., Mason, T. (2004). Managing in a Dangerous World-The National Incident Management System. Engineering Management Journal; 16,4, 3-8. Web.

Bigley, G.A. and Roberts, K. H. (2001). The Incident Command System: High-Reliability Organizing for Complex and Volatile Task Environments. Academy of Management Journal; 44, 6, 1281-1297. Web.

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The Incident Command System: High-Reliability Organizing Tasks

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