NIMS/ICS

Over the past year or so we have been talking about the National Incident Management System, and the four courses that we are required to take here in Arkansas, which are the ICS100, ICS200, ICS700 and ICS800. Yet, we haven’t gone into it to see how it really works, and where we as Amateur Radio operators fit into the picture.

Under the NIMS blanket of operations is the Incident Command System which is the heart beat of all emergency and disaster situations. The Incident Commander and his staff are responsible for all PLANING, PROCEDURES, OBJECTIVES, STRATGIES, FINANCE and the OVER ALL OUTCOME of the event. Basically, the ICS is set up to run just like any business.

The following description of the ICS is in short a summary for use by Amateur Radio operators working in the ARES/RACES emergency communications section of an event and where we fit into the picture. Of course, we fit nowhere until we are called to report. There is no position with-in the Incident Command System for walk-on operators. If you wish to help in any event, the first thing you need to do is contact your local Emergency Coordinator or District Emergency Coordinator and get signed up for membership in the local ARES/RACES organization. Secondly, you will need to get the proper training to becoming an emergency communicator and forget some of your day to day amateur habits. Emergency communications require a real Commitment, Training and most important of all is a good Attitude.

The primary area of interest to Amateur Radio Volunteers is the Logistics Section of the ICS and its Services Branch Communications Unit. Typically, the Primary Served Agency coordinator will contact the ARES/RACES Emergency Coordinator or the District Emergency Coordinator to advise the nature of the incident and where to report. This could be to a staging area or to the Command Post area, and the person that you will usually report to will be the Logistics Chief or the Communications Unit Leader. At that time, the Amateur operators that will be working at the Command Post will be filled in on the incidents specifics

As ARES/RACES groups continue to work more closely with the different Public Service Agencies, they may be ask to function as leadership within the ICS structure, so it is incumbent upon the ARES/RACES leadership and even to all members that they understand the ICS and how Amateur Radio fits into the system. This will include learning the ICS structure, forms, methods and procedures.

One very important thing for Amateur Radio operators to know and understand about NIMS and the ICS is that neither seeks to alter the way ARES/RACES groups perform their internal functions. Our existing methods and procedures remain unchanged. What NIMS and the ICS does do is provide an organizational reporting structure that is clearly defined. While NIMS and the ICS may look a bit daunting at first, it should be noted that these structures allow for the management of any incident regardless of size and is designed to assist anyone who has the responsibility for the successful outcome of an incident.

Emergency services professionals agree that all too often there is considerable confusion in the operational performance of major incidents. Generally, this problem is compounded as different types of agencies start becoming involved like they did during   hurricane Katrina. Whoever the Incident Commander may be and regardless of what agency they are with, it becomes their responsibility along with their staff to coordinate the on-scene operations of the incident. When an incident crosses Jurisdictional boundaries, another part of the NIMS/ICS comes into play and this is know as the UNIFIED COMMAND. This command process allows multiple Jurisdictions to develop Unified Objectives and strategies for the overall incident. However, the primary Incident Commander is still the BOSS, and is responsible for the overall outcome.

As previously mentioned, the methods and procedures used by Amateur Radio operators does not change. Our nets still run the same and the FCC rules and regulations are unaffected by NIMS and the ICS.

Amateur Radio operators and the ARES/RACES should continue their training, but they should add NIMS and the ICS programs to their already valuable skills. As the changes of time come about, so should the changes of our training and methods of communications. It is our responsibility to keep our skills and reputation of being PROFESSIONAL communicators honed at all times.

This material may be copied and freely distributed as long as no money is derived from its use! If you should make money from any of this, send me half.

Written by Tom Harris, k5wth

10-11-05