INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

As a result of completing this course, participants will be able to implement an Incident Command System during the initial stages of an emergency. Although the course does not qualify participants to serve as an Incident Commander, it will explain what actions to take to control the situation before the Incident Commander arrives. This course also serves as a refresher training for Incident Commanders.

Topics Covered in this Course Include:

• Why Use It?
• Building Blocks
• Who’s Involved
• Action Plan
• Resources (more information)

Opening Remarks:

This on-line Incident Command System Awareness and Refresher training program for personnel working for federal, state, and local government agencies. This includes law enforcement personnel, fire and EMS personnel, Road Commission employees, and others who may be first on the scene of a hazardous materials emergency.

CERTIFICATION

Certificates of completion may be received by the participant once a score of 80% or greater is achieved. The participant may take the quiz as many times as necessary in order to reach the 80% score.

In addition, each participant must complete the training on an individual basis. If you ask someone else to go through the program for you, you will not learn the information you will need to ensure the health and safety of Emergency Response Team members. This will render your certificate null and void.

For more information, see the following section on Legal Requirements.

If you have any question about this course, please contact [email protected]

Legal Requirements:

When your agency responds to a hazardous emergency, the Occupational Safety and Health Act and state OSHA laws require that you use an Incident Command System (ICS). This is a system for managing personnel who are involved in the response. Using an Incident Command System will help to reduce the chaos that occurs during emergencies. It will also help to protect employee safety. Law enforcement personnel are covered by these OSHA requirements.

According to OSHA and state OSHA programs, the senior emergency response official who responds to an emergency shall become the individual in charge of a site-specific incident management system. All emergency responders and their communications shall be coordinated and controlled through the individual in charge of the ICS.

As a member of a law enforcement agency, you may be the first person to arrive on the scene of a hazardous materials emergency. Although you may not be in charge of the Incident Command System, you need to be familiar with the system in order to make effective decisions before more senior officials arrive. The decisions you make could affect your safety and the safety of others.

By taking this Incident Command System course, you will learn about your role in the system. You will also learn about the decisions that must be addressed, especially during the initial phase of the emergency response.