Week 5 - Seven Principles of ICS_6
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American Military University *
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Course
101
Subject
Health Science
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
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1
Uploaded by DUBI2020
The Incident Command System (ICS) is an established on-scene incident management system
that allows personnel to adopt an integrated organizational structure that matches the
complexity and demands of any single incident or multiple incidents without being
constrained by jurisdictional boundaries (Lutz & Lindell, 2008). Out of the seven principles of
ICS, of focus in this discussion is the Unified Command principle.
The Unified Command allows all agencies with geographical or functional responsibility for
an event to designate an event Commander to a Unified Command organization (Burkle et al.,
2007). The Unified Command then sets a shared set of incident objectives and strategies with
which everyone agrees.
I once applied the Unified Command principle when a fire broke out at my workplace. The
fire spread fast, creating confusion and panic. The Unified Command principle was used to
address the problem. There were response agencies whose representatives formed a unified
command structure comprising representatives from the state's fire department, law
enforcement personnel, and others. The team collaborated to resolve the crisis at hand.
The application of the Unified Command principle in the situation was commendable.
Applying the principle also had positive outcomes, including a clear chain of command, a
centralized decision-making system, and increased efficiency in the use of resources. The
collaboration, aided by the Unified Command structure, enabled better information exchange
and situational awareness among parties involved in the operation. The high level of
organization, communication, and coordination enabled the involved agencies to execute their
responsibilities as required. The most significant advantage of applying the Unified Command
principle was the short time the fire crisis was resolved. The quick resolution was
instrumental in preventing further damages, injuries to personnel, and fatalities.
References
Burkle, F. M., Hsu, E. B., Loehr, M., Christian, M. D., Markenson, D., Rubinson, L., &
Archer, F. L. (2007). Definition and functions of health unified command and emergency
operations centers for large-scale event disasters within the existing ICS.
Disaster Medicine
and Public Health Preparedness
,
1
(2), 135-141.
Lutz, L. D., & Lindell, M. K. (2008). Incident command system as a response model within
emergency operation centers during Hurricane Rita.
Journal of Contingencies and Crisis
Management
,
16
(3), 122-134.
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