ICSfor

AUXCOMM

Chuck CribleyLogistics Chief

Michigan Region 3 IMTBay County Emergency

Management

• Introduction• Safety concerns• Questions*

• Incoming IC, We need a:–201 (what’s going on?)–202 (what are your objectives?)–207 (how is it organized?)–205 (how are you communicating?)*

COMMUNICATIONS IS A BIG DEAL IN THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM

• Let’s examine how Communications fits into ICS*

3 Primary Sections• ICS Key Point review• Where and How does AUXCOMM fit

into ICS?• How can AUXCOMM agencies be

prepared to meet the needs of the modern incident?*

ICS REVIEW*

ICS• Is a standardized management tool

for meeting the demands of small or large emergency or nonemergency situations.

• Represents "best practices" and has become the standard for emergency management across the country.

• Is a key feature of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). *

ICS Training• Basic ICS, 100 & 200 – on-line or

classroom• Intermediate ICS 300 - classroom• Advanced ICS 400 - classroom• ICS 700 & 800 – on-line*

Some Characteristics• Common Terminology• Management By Objectives• Modular/Functional Organization

(not by discipline)(cont’d)• Manageable Span of Control• Integrated Communications• Accountability-Documentation*

Some Common Terms• Chain of command• Unity of command• Unified command (UICS)• Passing command• Transfer of command*

Organizing an Incident• Overall - Command• Management of the response

– Operations• Planning, Logistics, and Finance

support incident operationsoMedical Care for Responders - Medical Unit

under LogisticsoMedical Care for Victims – Medical Branch or

Group under Operations*

The Secret to Being Effective at Using ICS

• Use it all the time• Not just for the big ones• The way we train; the way we

practice; the way we plan; is how we will perform when the chips are down*

•WHERE DOES AUXCOMM FIT

INTO ICS?*

• AUXCOMM will not show up on the ICS Organizational Chart (ICS207)

• AUXCOMM agencies that are primarily communications (e.g. ARES) will be under the Communications Unit (cont’d)*

• Primary mission other than communications - primary assets assigned under Operations Section

• Communications assets will be under the Communications Unit

• Actual personnel could be anywhere*

Why?• Equipment and systems must be

shared –oone high-profile repeater/talkgroups

• Spectrum must be managedomultiple stations using HF

frequencies/limited system channels (cont’d)*

• Space utilization must be coordinated (physical space in ICC and antennas)

• A central point (ICC) must be able to monitor and coordinate all communications*

PREPARATION*

Amateur Radio as an example*

Standale, 330 injured, 17 dead

1960s• No weather radar – Amateur radio

primary• Public Safety Radio elementary –

Amateur radio• Cell phones non-existent – Amateur

radio• Internet non-existent – Amateur

radio (cont’d)*

• ICS had not been invented – much less organization in responses

• Emergency Management – Civil Defense*

Today• Weather radar – very sophisticated• Public Safety Radio – good coverage,

excellent capabilities (system overload)

• Cell phones – some backup power (system overload) (cont’d)*

• Internet – reliable, versatile, accessible (system overload)

• ICS – very effective, well-recognized, standardized

• Emergency Management – a whole different world*

• Amateur Radio has lost some of it’s primary role, but is still viewed in a “support” role and has ever-changing responsibilities, capabilities, and opportunities*

What Does Amateur Radio Bring to The Table?• Spectrum – Wide range of

frequencies• Modes – Data, best mode for

conditions• Equipment – Radios, antennas

(cont’d)*

• Personnel – Trained in– communicating–handling messages–data communications–technical issues (e.g. propagation, feed

lines, antennas, tracking interference)–ICS*

NOTE - Practical Issues-AUXCOMM Agencies

• Mission statements and directives of primary organizations–Can we operate outside of it?–Are we trained?–Are we equipped?*

How Do We Do It?• Training – ICS (100, 200, 700, 800)• Training - AUXCOMM, & other

classes• Planning – 217, awareness of and

further development of reliable systems for voice & data locally and to SEOC

• Preparation of 205 (cont’d)*

• Learn nature & operation of public safety systems and other RF options

• Pre-Qualification - There is no place for a walk-on operator (cont’d)

• Associating – with Public Safety Organizations, especially Emergency Management and dispatch – assist in contingency plan development (cont’d)*

• Preparation – Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) so systems may be implemented seamlessly

• Practicing – use it or lose it…….. (special events, disaster exercises, forms)

• Set an example in interoperability (cont’d)*

• Protect & back up our own systems (repeater failure, pre-planned responses)

• Promote technological advancements in communications*

“…success is the leader’s enemy. Yesterday’s paradigms created

yesterday’s success. Since today is different from yesterday, and tomorrow

will be different from today, the paradigm that created success

yesterday will not create success tomorrow.”*

“Lead from the future – look back and see what will be needed to get your organization where it needs to be.

Don’t offer solutions without looking first at the need.”*

SUMMARY• Anticipate

–Future needs• Prepare

–To be flexible, creative, challenge-driven

• Communicate–Within your team and with your

partners constantly *

BE SAFE, BE READY

THANK YOU**