School Emergency Response/Incident Command
UNDERSTANDING SCHOOL EMERGENCY RESPONSE STRUCTURE
It is important to understand how school staff and administration will respond to an emergency or disaster. It will provide insight into what supplies are needed, why, who needs them, and where they should be located.
INCIDENT COMMAND(ICS) RESPONDER JOBS
The Incident Command System (I.C.S.) is a nationally recognized response chain of command and communication structure.
o Its modular system that grows or shrinks as the incident changes.
o The strict "span of control" preventing leaders from becoming overwhelmed. No more than 5- 7 people are to report to any leader.
o Universal terminology and job descriptions which allow responders from other agencies or the community to step into rolls and communicate effectively.
o Accountability. At check-in or deployment, each person has a clearly defined job/assignment with a clear chain of command.
The Incident Command Structure used on this site is from FEMA's Multi-Hazards Planning for Schools (IS 362) curriculum.
It is compliant with NIMS (National Incident Management System), a requirement for entities who wish to receive federal funding.
ICS Job descriptions: FEMA provides detailed ICS job descriptions and check lists for each job in the Incident Command structure for schools. To receive this listing, contact Berta Phillips or take the Multi-Hazards Planning for Schools (IS 362) online class via FEMA's Emergency Management Institute, http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp
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