Rogue Valley Fire Prevention

ICS: How The Incident Command System Came To Be

The Incident Command System, an integral part of the Incident Management System, was born out of the aftermath of a series of devastating California wildfires during the 1970s.  Numerous agencies were involved in suppression efforts, yet these wildfires cost millions of dollars per day and resulted in the loss of hundreds of structures, as well as many human lives.                             

photo by spotfireimages

Later analysis showed that a number of factors detracted from the effectiveness of fire-fighting personnel, including: unclear chain of command and supervision; poor communication (partly due to conflicting codes and terminology); lack of an orderly, systematic planning process; and no predefined methods to integrate inter-agency requirements into the management structure and planning process.                                                                                                       

As a result, congress mandated that a system be made that would “provide a consistent, integrated framework for the management of all incidents,” regardless of size or complexity. 

The Incident Command System (ICS) is designed to meet the following challenges:

  • Meet the needs of incidents of any kind or size
  • Allow personnel from a variety of agencies to meld rapidly into a common management structure with common terminology
  • Provide logistical and administrative support to operational staff
  • Be cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts