ICS, Multiagency Coordination System (MACS)

Emergencies strike when people least expect them. Since emergencies are unpredictable, the one thing that emergency management can focus on to counter the unpredictability of man-made and natural disasters are a plan for possible outcomes. Newman and Clarke (2008) state,” Ironically, responding to attack are the least problematic component of any counterterrorism plan” (p.34). “Planning helps an organization chart a course for the achievement of its goals” (Hill, n.d., para. 1). The purpose of planning provides organizational guidelines, establishes short and long term goals, delegate authority and responsibilities, determines the efficient use of resources, and reduces risks and wasteful activities. “When the planning process is used consistently

This discussion is going to examine ICS to facilitate Incident Command and Management Operations and the integration of EOP using the ICS command structure as a plan component (DHS, 2005). ICS is a standard format management system, “with the purpose of enabling incident managers to identify the key concerns associated with the event often under urgent conditions without sacrificing attention to any component of the command system” (DHS, 2008, p. 45). Moreover, ICS provides an organizational structure that is used to organize on-scene operations during all types of emergency incidents including man-made. “ICS is held to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance”(DHS, 2008, p. 46). Figure B-1 shows the organizational chart for the ICS and depicts a top-down process that the Incident Commander’s (IC) responsible for the emergency incident and sets priorities and determines incident objectives and gives direction to the Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance Section. To provide a smooth action, the Planning Section Chief develops and prepares the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the Operation Section Chief to implement the tactical activities of the IAP. Furthermore, the Logistic Section Chief can allocate the proper resources for the incident, and the Finance Section can give current and anticipated future requirements. This command structure in conjunction with the preparedness will all for the proper planning of an EOP for preparing, mitigating, and respond to terrorist