Incident Command System

I-100 INTRODUCTION TO INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

Introduction to Incident Command System, I-100 introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System.

Delivery and Length
This course is Instructor facilitated and requires a minimum of 8 hours for presentation, including breaks.

Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course participants will be able to demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the Incident Command System as described in the following topics and learning outcomes:

  • Purpose of ICS: the requirements and purpose to use ICS and common incident tasks.
  • Basic Principles and Features of ICS
  • Incident Commander and Command Staff Functions: roles and functions of the Incident Commander and Command Staff.
  • General Staff Functions: roles and functions of the Operations, Planning, Logistics and Finance/Administration sections.
  • Common Responsibilities: common mobilization responsibilities and common responsibilities at an incident, individual accountability responsibilities, and common demobilization responsibilities.
  • Facilities: basic ICS facilities, their use and location, and facility map symbols.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for I-100.

Target Audience
Typically, agencies and organizations adopting and implementing ICS should require all personnel at the following levels of responsibility in emergency management and incident response operations: first-line supervisor, mid- level management and command and general staff to complete I-100

I-200 BASIC INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

I-200 defines the unique qualities of ICS as an event or incident management system. This course focuses on the management of single resources. I-200 provides training for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS.

Delivery and Length
This course is Instructor facilitated and requires a minimum of 16 hours for presentation, inclusive of breaks.

Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course participants will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of ICS through:

  • Management by objectives and Transfer of Command
  • Functional Areas and Positions: introduction to the process used to manage an incident, the function of organizational positions, and demonstration of the use of an ICS 201 form.
  • Briefings: operational briefings and field, staff and section briefings/meetings.
  • Organizational Flexibility: modular organization expansion and contraction, complexity analysis, five types of incidents, and the importance of preparedness plans and agreements.

Prerequisites
I-100.

Target Audience
Typically, the following applicants would be included: responder level— emergency response providers and disaster workers who are entry level to supervisory level, including emergency medical service personnel, firefighters, medical personnel, police officers, public health personnel, public works/utilities personnel, and other emergency management response personnel.

I-300 INTERMEDIATE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM – ICS for Expanding Incidents

I-300 defines the unique qualities of ICS as an event or incident management system in an expanding/escalating situation. I-300 is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event using ICS in supervisory roles on expanding or Type 3 Incidents

Delivery and Length
This classroom based, Instructor facilitated course requires a minimum of 24 hours (three days) for presentation, inclusive of breaks.

Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course participants will be able to demonstrate intermediate knowledge of ICS as described in the following topics and learning outcomes:

  • ICS Fundamentals Review: ICS fundamentals and organization, reporting and working relationships, information flow, and transfer of command.
  • Unified Command: features, organization and functions in a multi- jurisdictional or multiagency incident. Roles and reporting relationships under a unified command in single and multi- jurisdictional incidents.
  • Incident Management Operations: methods and tools used to assess incident/event complexity and transferring and assuming incident command. The key principles of incident management operations and additional training on developing incident objectives, strategies, and tactics.
  • Resource Management: basic principles, steps of resource management and use of appropriate ICS forms.
  • Planning Process: planning for incidents or events in reference to the major planning steps, such as logistical concerns, cost-benefit analysis, situational understanding, plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Demobilization, Transfer of Command: planning, impact of agency specific policies, procedures, and agreements, and terminating command

Prerequisites
I-200

Target Audience
Individuals recommended to take the I-300 course include incident management personnel, including persons serving as incident commander, command staff, section chiefs, division/group supervisors, branch directors, and unit leaders in Planning, Logistics and Finance/Administration, select department heads with multi-agency coordination responsibilities, area managers, emergency managers, and multi-agency coordination centre /ECC managers

I-400 ADVANCED INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

I-400 is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently in the advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). The course deals with the command and general staff functions during complex incidents, the implementation of the incident management process on a complex incident and the management and coordination process during multiple incidents.

Delivery and Length
This classroom-based Instructor facilitated course requires 16 hours for presentation inclusive of breaks. More time will be required if agency specific material is added. The course is interactive. It has several exercises designed to facilitate group and class discussion.

Learning Outcomes

  • Command and General Staff: unified command functions in a multi- jurisdictional or multiagency, complex incident, major steps involved in the planning process, issues that influence incident complexity and available analysis tools, primary guidelines and responsibilities of the Command and General Staff positions.
  • Major and/or Complex Incident/Event Management: Deputies and Assistants: primary factors affecting major and/or complex incidents and events, expansion options for incident/event organization.
  • Area Command: principal advantages of area command, including how, where, and when area command would be established, area command organization and primary functions.
  • Unified Command: unified command structure and operations.
  • Organizational Relationships: organizational relationships among area command, unified command, multi-entity coordination systems, and emergency operation centres/emergency coordination centres.

Prerequisites
I-300

Target Audience
Typically, personnel serving as Command and General Staff in an ICS organization, select department heads with multi-agency coordination responsibilities, area managers, emergency managers, and multi-agency coordination centre /emergency operations centre managers.

I-402 ICS FOR EXECUTIVES

I-402 introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for executive understanding and participation in the ICS. This presentation provides a basic understanding of ICS, unified and area command, and multi- agency coordination to those persons responsible for establishing or implementing policy, but who normally are not a part of the on-scene ICS organization. The presentation also discusses responsibilities and information transfer between Executives and Incident Commanders. The target audience includes executives, administrators, and policy makers involved with emergency planning and response or recovery efforts.

Delivery and Length
The presentation of the 402 will take approximately four hours. The course is intended to be delivered in a lecture format presented by an ICS Canada Instructor.

Learning Outcomes

  • At the successful completion of this presentation participants will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Incident Command System to endorse and support site operations from an executive or administrative view.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the I-402.

Target Audience
Typically, required personnel include executives, administrators and policy makers.

TRAIN THE TRAINER – Awareness Level (I-100, I-200)

Train the Trainer Awareness Level is designed to prepare course participants become future ICS Instructor to deliver ICS Canada I-100 and I- 200 curricula.

Delivery and Length
This classroom-based Instructor facilitated course requires a minimum of 16 hours for presentation, inclusive of breaks. The course is interactive and provides an opportunity for course participants to deliver portions of material and facilitate a learning exercise.

Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course participants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to deliver the I-100 and I-200 as a Unit Instructor in a classroom setting. Course participants may then make application to the responsible AHJ for recognition as an ICS Canada Instructor. ICS training materials will not be provided to course participants until they are recognized as an Instructor.

Prerequisites

  • Successful completion of recognized I-100 and I-200 courses.
  • Service in a mid-level emergency management and incident response position (“leader” level or higher) within five years in operational incidents, planned events, or exercises OR have specialized knowledge and experience appropriate for the audience.
  • Recognized qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies.

Testing and Evaluations Procedures
There is no formal final exam; the instructor delivering the course will assess understanding of the concepts by course participants through group discussions and team activities.

Target Audience
Agencies are responsible to determine who within their organization will deliver ICS training.

TRAIN THE TRAINER – Advanced Level (I-300, I-400)

Train the Trainer Advanced Level is designed to prepare course participants become ICS Canadian Instructor to deliver ICS Canada I-300 and I-400 curricula.

Delivery and Length
This classroom-based Instructor facilitated course requires a minimum of 16 hours for presentation, inclusive of breaks. The course is interactive and provides an opportunity for course participants to participate in a variety of group and team-teaching exercises.

Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course, participants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to deliver the I-300 and I-400 as an Instructor facilitator in a classroom setting. Course participants may then make application to the responsible AHJ for recognition as an ICS Canada Instructor. ICS training materials will not be provided to course participants until they are recognized as Instructor.

Prerequisites

  • Successful completion of recognized I-300 and I-400 courses.
  • Service as Incident Commander or in a command or general staff position in an incident that required multi-agency coordination and went beyond one operational period or required a written Incident Action Plan (IAP) within the previous five years.
  • Recognized qualifications in techniques of instruction and adult education methodologies.

Testing and Evaluations Procedures
There is a formal written final exam; the instructor delivering the course will also assess understanding of the concepts by course participants through group discussions and team activities.

Target Audience
Agencies are responsible to determine who within their organization will deliver ICS training.