EMS Incident Command System

Course overview

The Incident Command System (ICS) has been designed, developed, and deployed for use by emergency management professionals and responder agencies. ICS is designed to create effective and efficient management of complex and emergency events. ICS provides a simple, flexible, and adaptable system to organize, control, and direct response agencies and responders. To help accomplish this, ICS provides common terminology, titles, and communications. Furthermore, ICS creates a chain of command that ensures an effective span of control, an efficient decision making process, and a logical flow of information and direction. ICS utilizes a standardized approach to managing emergencies and complex events which has withstood the test of time. It is used both nationally and internationally and has been mandated by the U.S. Federal Government through the National Incident Management System (NIMS) at all levels of government, including public, private, and non-governmental organizations. ICS is normally presented as an overarching system that should be used for effective emergency management. Any department that could be involved in responding to a mass-casualty and/or multiple agency response would benefit from this course.