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ICS Glossary
A
Action Plan: See Incident Action Plan.
Agency: An agency is a division of government with a specific function, or a nongovernmental organization (e.g., private contractor, business, etc.) that offers a particular kind of assistance. In ICS, agencies are defined as jurisdictional (having statutory responsibility for incident mitigation) or assisting and/or cooperating (providing resources and/or assistance). (See Assisting Agency, Cooperating Agency, Jurisdictional Agency, and Multi-Agency Incident.)
Agency Administrator or Executive: Chief executive officer (or designee) of the agency or jurisdiction that has responsibility for the incident.
Agency Dispatch: The agency or jurisdictional facility from which resources are allocated to incidents.
Agency Representative: An individual assigned to an incident from an assisting or cooperating agency who has been delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting that agency's participation at the incident. Agency Representatives report to the Incident Liaison Officer.
Air Operations Branch Director: The person primarily responsible for preparing and implementing the air operations portion of the Incident Action Plan. Also responsible for providing logistical support to helicopters operating on the incident.
Allocated Resources: Resources dispatched to an incident.
All-Risk: Any incident or event, natural or human-caused, that warrants action to protect life, property, environment, public health and safety and minimize disruption of governmental, social and economic activities.
Area Command: An organization established to: 1) oversee the management of multiple incidents that are each being handled by an Incident Command System organization; or
- to oversee the management of a very large incident that has multiple Incident Management Teams assigned to it. Area Command has the responsibility to set overall strategy and priorities, allocate critical resources based on priorities, ensure that incidents are properly managed, and ensure that objectives are met and strategies followed.
Assigned Resources: Resources checked in and assigned work tasks on an incident.
Assignments: Tasks given to resources to perform within a given operational period, based upon tactical objectives in the Incident Action Plan.
Assistant: Title for subordinates of the Command Staff positions. The title indicates a level of technical capability, qualifications, and responsibility subordinate to the primary positions.
Assisting Agency: An agency directly contributing tactical or service resources to another agency.
Available Resources: Incident-based resources which are ready for deployment.
B
Base: The location at which primary Logistics functions for an incident are coordinated and administered. There is only one Base per incident. (Incident name or other designator will be added to the term Base.) The Incident Command Post may be collocated with the Base.
Branch: The organizational level having functional or geographic responsibility for major parts of the Operations or Logistics functions. The Branch level is organizationally between Section and Division/Group in the Operations Section, and between Section and Units in the Logistics Section. Branches are identified by the use of Roman Numerals or by functional name (e.g., medical, security, etc.).
C
Cache: A pre-determined complement of tools, equipment, and/or supplies stored in a designated location, available for incident use.
Camp: A geographical site, within the general incident area, separate from the Incident Base, equipped and staffed to provide sleeping, food, water, and sanitary services to incident personnel.
Chain of Command: A series of management positions in order of authority.
Check-In: The process whereby resources first report to an incident. Check-in locations include: Incident Command Post (Resources Unit), Incident Base, Camps, Staging Areas, Helibases, Helispots, and Division Supervisors (for direct line assignments).
Chief: The ICS title for individuals responsible for functional Sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.
Clear Text: The use of plain English in radio communications transmissions. No Ten Codes or agency-specific codes are used when utilizing clear text.
Command: The act of directing and/or controlling resources by virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority. May also refer to the Incident Commander.
combinations for County FSA Offices. CEB's are composed of representatives of USDA Agencies operating within their respective jurisdiction. The boards constitute the organization responsible for carrying out USDA's national security emergency functions.
Crew: See Single Resource.
D
Delegation of Authority: A statement provided to the Incident Commander by the Agency Executive delegating authority and assigning responsibility. The Delegation of Authority can include objectives, priorities, expectations, constraints, and other considerations or guidelines as needed. Many agencies require written Delegation of Authority to be given to Incident Commanders prior to their assuming command on larger incidents.
Demobilization Unit: Functional Unit within the Planning Section responsible for assuring orderly, safe, and efficient demobilization of incident resources.
Deputy: A fully qualified individual who, in the absence of a superior, could be delegated the authority to manage a functional operation or perform a specific task. In some cases, a Deputy could act as relief for a superior and therefore must be fully qualified in the position. Deputies can be assigned to the Incident Commander, General Staff, and Branch Directors.
Director: The ICS title for individuals responsible for supervision of a Branch.
Dispatch: The implementation of a command decision to move a resource or resources from one place to another.
Dispatch Center: A facility from which resources are ordered, mobilized, and assigned to an incident.
Division: Divisions are used to divide an incident into geographical areas of operation. A Division is located within the ICS organization between the Branch and the Task Force/Strike Team. (See Group.) Divisions are identified by alphabetic characters for horizontal applications and, often, by floor numbers when used in buildings.
Documentation Unit: Functional Unit within the Planning Section responsible for collecting, recording, and safeguarding all documents relevant to the incident.
E
Emergency Management Coordinator/Director: The individual within each political subdivision that has coordination responsibility for jurisdictional emergency management.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): A health-care specialist with particular skills and knowledge in pre-hospital emergency medicine.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC): A pre-designated facility established by an agency or jurisdiction to coordinate the overall agency or jurisdictional response and support to an emergency.
Emergency Operations Plan: The plan that each jurisdiction has and maintains for responding to appropriate hazards.
Event: A planned, non-emergency activity. ICS can be used as the management system for a wide range of events, e.g., parades, concerts, or sporting events.
F
Facilities Unit: Functional Unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics Section that provides fixed facilities for the incident. These facilities may include the Incident Base, feeding areas, sleeping areas, sanitary facilities, etc.
Field Operations Guide: A pocket-size manual of instructions on the application of the Incident Command System.
Finance/Administration Section: The Section responsible for all incident costs and financial considerations. Includes the Time Unit, Procurement Unit, Compensation/Claims Unit, and Cost Unit.
Food Unit: Functional Unit within the Service Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for providing meals for incident personnel.
Function: In ICS, function refers to the five major activities in the ICS, i.e., Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The term function is also used when describing the activity involved, e.g., the planning function.
G
General Staff: The group of incident management personnel reporting to the Incident Commander. They may have one or more Deputies, as needed. The General Staff consists of the Operations Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief.
structure equal to the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents, without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.
Incident Communications Center: The location of the Communications Unit and the Message Center.
Incident Management Team (IMT): The Incident Commander and appropriate Command and General Staff personnel assigned to an incident.
Incident Objectives: Statements of guidance and direction necessary for the selection of appropriate strategy(s), and the tactical direction of resources. Incident objectives are based on realistic expectations of what can be accomplished when all allocated resources have been effectively deployed. Incident objectives must be achievable and measurable, yet flexible enough to allow for strategic and tactical alternatives.
Incident Support Organization: Includes any off-incident support provided to an incident. Examples would be Agency Dispatch centers, Airports, Mobilization Centers, etc.
Initial Action: The actions taken by resources which are the first to arrive at an incident.
Initial Response: Resources initially committed to an incident.
J
Jurisdiction: The range or sphere of authority. Public agencies have jurisdiction at an incident related to their legal responsibilities and authority for incident mitigation. Jurisdictional authority at an incident can be political/geographical (e.g., city, county, State, or Federal boundary lines) or functional (e.g., police department, health department, etc.). (See Multijurisdiction.)
Jurisdictional Agency: The agency having jurisdiction and responsibility for a specific geographical area, or a mandated function.
L
Landing Zone: See Helispot.
Leader: The ICS title for an individual responsible for a Task Force, Strike Team, or functional Unit.
Liaison Officer: A member of the Command Staff responsible for coordinating with representatives from cooperating and assisting agencies. The Liaison Officer may have Assistants.
Life-Safety: Refers to the joint consideration of both the life and physical well-being of individuals.
Logistics Section: The Section responsible for providing facilities, services, and materials for the incident.
M
Management by Objectives: In ICS, this is a top-down management activity which involves a three-step process to achieve the incident goal. The steps are: establishing the incident objectives, selection of appropriate strategy(s) to achieve the objectives, and the tactical direction associated with the selected strategy. Tactical direction includes: selection of tactics, selection of resources, resource assignments, and performance monitoring.
Managers: Individuals within ICS organizational Units that are assigned specific managerial responsibilities, e.g., Staging Area Manager or Camp Manager.
Medical Unit: Functional Unit within the Service Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for the development of the Medical Emergency Plan, and for providing emergency medical treatment of incident personnel.
Message Center: The Message Center is part of the Incident Communications Center and is collocated or placed adjacent to it. It receives, records, and routes information about resources reporting to the incident, resource status, and administrative and tactical traffic.
Mobilization: The process and procedures used by all organizations Federal, State, and local for activating, assembling, and transporting all resources that have been requested to respond to or support an incident.
Mobilization Center: An off-incident location at which emergency service personnel and equipment are temporarily located pending assignment, release, or reassignment.
Multi-Agency Incident: An incident where one or more agencies assist a jurisdictional agency or agencies. May be single or unified command.
Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC): A generalized term which describes the functions and activities of representatives of involved agencies and/or jurisdictions who come together to make decisions regarding the prioritizing of incidents, and the sharing and use of critical resources. The MAC organization is not a part of the on-scene ICS and is not involved in developing incident strategy or tactics.
Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS): The combination of personnel, facilities, equipment, procedures, and communications integrated into a common system. When activated, MACS has the responsibility for coordination of assisting agency resources and support in a multi-agency or multijurisdictional environment. A MAC Group functions within the MACS.
P
Planning Meeting: A meeting held as needed throughout the duration of an incident, to select specific strategies and tactics for incident control operations, and for service and support planning. On larger incidents, the Planning Meeting is a major element in the development of the Incident Action Plan.
Planning Section: Responsible for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of information related to the incident, and for the preparation and documentation of Incident Action Plans. The Section also maintains information on the current and forecasted situation, and on the status of resources assigned to the incident. Includes the Situation, Resources, Documentation, and Demobilization Units, as well as Technical Specialists.
Procurement Unit: Functional Unit within the Finance/Administration Section responsible for financial matters involving vendor contracts.
Public Information Officer: A member of the Command Staff responsible for interfacing with the public and media or with other agencies requiring information directly from the incident. There is only one Public Information Officer per incident. The Public Information Officer may have Assistants.
R
Recorders: Individuals within ICS organizational units who are responsible for recording information. Recorders may be found in Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration Units. Reinforced Response: Those resources requested in addition to the initial response.
Reporting Locations: Location or facilities where incoming resources can check-in at the incident. (See Check-in.)
Resources: Personnel and equipment available, or potentially available, for assignment to incidents. Resources are described by kind and type (e.g., Type III Helicopter) and may be used in tactical, support, or overhead capacities at an incident.
Resources Unit: Functional Unit within the Planning Section responsible for recording the status of resources committed to the incident. The Unit also evaluates resources currently committed to the incident, the impact that additional responding resources will have on the incident, and anticipated resource needs.
S
Safety Officer: A member of the Command Staff responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations, and for developing measures for ensuring personnel safety. The Safety Officer may have Assistants.
Section: The organizational level with responsibility for a major functional area of the incident, e.g., Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration.
Segment: A geographical area in which a Task Force/Strike Team Leader or Supervisor of a single resource is assigned authority and responsibility for the coordination of resources and implementation of planned tactics. A segment may be a portion of a division or an area inside or outside the perimeter of an incident. Segments are identified with Arabic numbers.
Service Branch: A Branch within the Logistics Section responsible for service activities at the incident. Includes the Communication, Medical, and Food Units.
Single Resource: An individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew or team of individuals with an identified work Supervisor that can be used on an incident.
Situation Unit: Functional Unit within the Planning Section responsible for the collection, organization, and analysis of incident status information, and for analysis of the situation as it progresses. Reports to the Planning Section Chief.
Span of Control: A supervisory range of three to seven individuals, with the ratio of one- to-five being established as optimum.
Staging Area: Staging Areas are locations set up at an incident where resources can be placed while awaiting a tactical assignment. Staging Areas are managed by the Operations Section.
State Emergency Board (SEB): USDA national security emergency programs, under direction from USDA national headquarters, are administered by a USDA SEB in each State and the Caribbean Area. The boards constitute the organization responsible for carrying out USDA's national security emergency functions.
Strategy: The general plan or direction selected to accomplish incident objectives.
Strike Team: A specified combination of the same kind and type of resources with common communications and a Leader. Supervisor: The ICS title for individuals responsible for a Division or Group.
Supply Unit: Functional Unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for ordering equipment and supplies required for incident operations.
Support Branch: A Branch within the Logistics Section responsible for providing personnel, equipment, and supplies to support incident operations. Includes the Supply, Facilities, and Ground Support Units.
Supporting Materials: Refers to the several attachments that may be included with an Incident Action Plan, e.g., communications plan, map, safety plan, traffic plan, and medical plan.
Unity of Command: The concept by which each person within an organization reports to one and only one designated person.
