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Incident Command System

For Schools

By: Bob King Director of Safety & Security

Wenatchee School District #246

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The Incident Command System

Is used 1000’s of times a day in the fire service across the United States.

Police agencies are training to ICS and using the system when the situation calls for a larger than normal operation.

School Districts are using the ICS training in greater numbers.

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Partnerships in School Safety Planning

Safe school plans emphasize collaboration between schools and :

Law Enforcement Fire Departments Emergency Medical Services Social services/ mental health agencies Parents and families

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Use ICS in Safety Planning

The use of ICS in the planning process reinforces your team’s ability to use the methods in an actual incident.

The use of the ICS approach allows for cross-training of a number of personnel so that the functions can continue despite absences.

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Why We Need an ICS Plan-STANDARDIZATION

District Crisis Management Plan

Individual School Crisis Response Plan

Responders Crisis Response Plan

Community Response Actions

School Incident Command System

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Who Benefits from Standardization?

School Security Officers Principals Office Staff Teachers and Substitute Teachers Para’s District Support Personnel Emergency Responders Responding or Concerned Community STUDENTS!

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What should we be prepared for?

Terrorism – Fire - Earthquakes Dam Failure – Power Outages Snow, Ice, Wind Storms Hazardous Materials (Spills, leakage) Vehicle Accidents – Train Derailment Volcanic Eruptions Nearby Crime Incident, Civil Unrest Structure Failure

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School Response Options

Fire Drill/Evacuation On site – short/long term (Shelter in place) Off site – Building secured – secure route and location

Lockdowns

School Closure

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Effects on Schools

Community wide event = Limited support because resources are being stretched thin

District wide event = Moderate support, more resources available

Single school event = Major support, all resources can respond

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School Incident Management Team

Designated Incident Management Teams for – Planning

Response Recovery

Federal mandate: NIMS - (National Incident Management System)

Must organize using Incident Command System

Fire, police and other responders will use the same system

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Team Tasks & Priorities

Safety & Security of the Students & Staff Initiate immediate response Coordinate with responding agencies Understand the risk to responders and students Understand the impact of the event on the school

community Communications with all involved Work to minimize the impact of the event Plan for the return back to normal school

operations

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Incident Command System

Based on function, not personality or title

Expandable and contractible

Activate only what you need

Utilizes a chain of command

Span of control: 5 positions (Incident Commander, Operations, Logistics, Planning & Intel, Admin/Finance)

Standardizes responses from all responders

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Unified Command Fire and police departments will be using the same

organizational system

Police agencies now use ICS more often

Linked through the Liaison Officer

Who’s in charge? – Dependant upon the nature of the event

Could become an event that requires an Emergency Operations Center

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School Incident Command System

First Aid Search & Locate

Maintenance Security

Accountability Sheltering

Student Release

PIO

Liaison

Safety

Mental Health Team

Logistics Operations

Transportation Food, Water,

Supplies Communications

Incident Log Recorder Record Keeping

Incident Commander

Planning & Intel. Admin. & Finance

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Command Staff

Incident Commander

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Liaison Officer

Safety Officer

Mental Health Team Rep.

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Incident Commander Coordinate the response efforts

Divides responses by needed function

Delegate resources to fill those needs

Maintains “Big Picture” vantage point

Continually check on status, progress and needs of other resources or support

May (should) be in a separate command post from emergency responders

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Public Information Officer Handles all media, both on-site and remote

May (should) be spokesperson or arrange interviews with

written press releases

Establishes Media contact point or briefing area: Protects command from distractions Reduces freelancing by media as it provides one point for

information Communicates with public, staff, parents and students

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Liaison Officer

Vital link with other agencies on scene

Remains in contact with command at all times, either at primary CP or at secondary command post. (Radio Communications, Cell Phone, Hardwire Intercom)

Must have strong knowledge of the big picture & the strategic direction of command

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Safety Officer The eyes and ears for command The safety net for the incident Responsible for the physical & emotional needs of

the staff Watches for unsafe actions or inactions Authority to stop an unsafe action Reports directly to command Must be identified ( by vest) and be able to roam

freely Does not become involved in directing operations or

the tactics used

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Mental Health Crisis Team Rep.

Responsible for mental health and support activities

Coordinates with community assistance

Develops mental health portion of Aftermath plan

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ICS Positions

Operations: Doers - Accountability, First Aid, Location and Shelters, Search & Locate, Security

Logistics: Getters - Resources, Transportation, Communication, Food, Water, Supplies

Planning/Intelligence: Thinkers - Log Recorder, Information

Administration/Finance: Money and Records - Record keeping, funding, costs

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Operations

These are DOERS Concerned with Accountability, Welfare,

Student Release and Unification, Assembly Shelter, First Aid, Search and Rescue, Security

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Student Accountability Team

Checks attendance records

Cross matches lists

Both students and adults

Reports to the Operations Chief

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First Aid Team Nurse should be leader

Backed up with other staff with first aid/CPR training

Supplies and records need to be easily accessed

A member might accompany children to hospital

Responsible for Patient Tracking

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Search and Locate Team

Responsible to “sweep” restrooms, hallways, classrooms and other areas for students

Community responders will do actual Search and Rescue when they arrive but Search and Locate Team may assist

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Assembly Shelter Team

Responsible for establishing and setting up evacuation site

Coordinates the supervision of students at the site until released

Works closely with the Parent Student Reunification team

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Student Unification Team

Sets up Parent Unification Center

Gets info from Accountability Team

Should have an Administrator present

Documents person picking up child

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Operations Operations

Medical Security Student Care Utilities

Search & Locate

First Aid

Treat & Transport

On Campus

Off-site Locations

Supervision And Accountability

Mental Health - Before and After Triage

Student Unification Unification Site

M&O Duties

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Logistics

These are the GETTERS

Responsible for transportation, food, water, supplies

Communication

Staging areas for parents and volunteers

Resources Material People

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Transportation Team

Calls for school buses, vans and other district vehicles

Supervises loading of vehicles and coordinates with accountability people from Operations

May arrange alternative transportation

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Communications Team

Responsible for communication equipment and protocol used between groups (phones, radios, messaging)

Works closely with the Public Information Officer

Reports to Logistics Officer

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Food, Water, Supplies Team

Located and arranges delivery of food, water and other supplies as needed

Locates and arranges other resources as needed (people, vehicles, porta-potty etc.)

Reports to Logistics Officer

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Logistics Logistics Officer

Transportation Communications Sheltering Support Supplies

Vehicle

Staging Area

Fuel & Service

Drivers

Radios or Phones

Batteries

Power, Accessories

Buildings or tents

Food & Water

Restrooms

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Planning/Intelligence

Gathers, evaluates and disseminates information

May provide list of witnesses or other information to the Command Post as needed

Assists with planning response

Plans for Recovery

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Incident/Log Recorder

Is located in school Command Center

Stays close to the school Incident Commander

Keeps a running status board and log of all events

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Planning & Intelligence

Recorder

Documentation Forecasting Situation Analysis

Maintains Status Board Short-term Issues

Long-term Issues Maintains Event Log

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Administration / Finance

Responsible for all money spent on the event

Maintains Time/Overtime records

Maintains all receipts, bills, invoices

Official records of the event

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Finance & Administration

Finance & Admin

Time Keeping Purchasing Personnel Costs

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School Incident Command System

First Aid Search & Locate

Maintenance Security

Accountability Sheltering

Student Release

PIO

Liaison

Safety

Mental Health Team

Logistics Operations

Transportation Food, Water,

Supplies Communications

Incident Log Recorder Record Keeping

Incident Commander

Planning & Intel. Admin. & Finance

Summary

Use the best person for the job to fill the position, not because of their title

Be consistent, use the same procedures on every event

Document everything! Don’t be afraid to seek help! If you have questions, ask!

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Contact your Safety & Security Department if you have any questions – 663-1248

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