Incident Command System For Schools By: Bob King Director of Safety & Security Wenatchee School District #246 1
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. 2
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 3
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 crosstraining of a number of personnel so that the functions can continue despite absences. 4
Why We Need an ICS Plan- STANDARDIZATION Individual School Crisis Response Plan Responders Crisis Response Plan District Crisis Management Plan Community Response Actions School Incident Command System 5
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! 6
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 7
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 8
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 9
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 10
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 11
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 12
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 13
School Incident Command System Incident Commander PIO Liaison Safety Mental Health Team Operations Logistics Planning & Intel. Admin. & Finance Accountability Sheltering Student Release First Aid Search & Locate Maintenance Security Transportation Food, Water, Supplies Communications Incident Log Recorder Record Keeping 14
Command Staff Incident Commander Public Information Officer (PIO) Liaison Officer Safety Officer Mental Health Team Rep. 15
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 16
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 17
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 18
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 19
Mental Health Crisis Team Rep. Responsible for mental health and support activities Coordinates with community assistance Develops mental health portion of Aftermath plan 20
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 21
Operations These are DOERS Concerned with Accountability, Welfare, Student Release and Unification, Assembly Shelter, First Aid, Search and Rescue, Security 22
Student Accountability Team Checks attendance records Cross matches lists Both students and adults Reports to the Operations Chief 23
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 24
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 25
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 26
Student Unification Team Sets up Parent Unification Center Gets info from Accountability Team Should have an Administrator present Documents person picking up child 27
Operations Operations Medical Security Student Care Utilities Search & Locate On Campus Supervision And Accountability M&O Duties Triage Off-site Locations Mental Health - Before and After First Aid Unification Site Student Unification Treat & Transport 28
Logistics These are the GETTERS Responsible for transportation, food, water, supplies Communication Staging areas for parents and volunteers Resources Material People 29
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 30
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 31
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 32
Logistics Logistics Officer Transportation Communications Sheltering Support Supplies Vehicle Radios or Phones Buildings or tents Staging Area Batteries Food & Water Fuel & Service Power, Accessories Restrooms Drivers 33
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 34
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 35
Planning & Intelligence Recorder Documentation Forecasting Situation Analysis Maintains Status Board Short-term Issues Maintains Event Log Long-term Issues 36
Administration / Finance Responsible for all money spent on the event Maintains Time/Overtime records Maintains all receipts, bills, invoices Official records of the event 37
Finance & Administration Finance & Admin Time Keeping Purchasing Personnel Costs 38
School Incident Command System Incident Commander PIO Liaison Safety Mental Health Team Operations Logistics Planning & Intel. Admin. & Finance Accountability Sheltering Student Release First Aid Search & Locate Maintenance Security Transportation Food, Water, Supplies Communications Incident Log Recorder Record Keeping 39
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! 40
Contact your Safety & Security Department if you have any questions 663-1248 41