Effective Incident Command System

At the very least, an effective Incident Command System could have been implemented at the local/state levels to help better structure the impromptu response efforts. An Incident Command System is a centralized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management system that enables coordinated response among various jurisdictions (National Incident Management System). A diagram of this system is provided above. The diagram depicts the four divisions that can be included in an Incident Command System along with a description of each division. More detail describing how this system could have been used post-Katrina will be given later.
Understandably, officials did not have the opportunity to train and further develop their emergency operation plan due to budget constraints. However, organizing a centralized response structure is something that local/state officials could have done on their own. This would have also helped once federal officials got involved. A common complaint among FEMA representatives was that they did not know who was in charge of coordinating the response. (Smith)
The Incident Command System emphasizes unity of command which means that everyone reports to only one person.
This allows for a more coordinated response throughout the jurisdictions because it helps the Incident Commander to effectively manage resources. It also allows the Incident Commander’s span on control to be smaller. So only 3-7 people will report directly to an Incident Commander, allowing him/her to focus on the problem. The Incident Commander’s main priorities are life, incident stabilization, property, and environment. An Incident Command System can also include the following sections in order to accomplish this objective:
1. Operations: assist with developing strategy, and identifies, assigns, and supervises the resources needed to accomplish the incident
objective
2. Planning: provides status reports and manages the planning process.
3. Logistics: orders resources and develops the Transportation Communications and Medical Plans.
4. Finance/Admin: develops cost analyses, ensure that the incident management is within the financial limits established, develops contracts, and pays for resources. (FEMA)
Additionally, a key component of the Incident Command System are the liaisons.
1. Public Information Officer: is the media’s point of contact for reliable information and communicates vital information to the Incident Commander.
2. Safety Officer: focuses exclusively on the first responders’ safety.
3. Liaison Officer: point of contact for agency representatives. (FEMA)
The beneficial thing about the four sections is that they can be expanded and contracted as needed. It all depends on the emergency. In an emergency of Hurricane Katrina’s magnitude, an Incident Command System that included all four of these sections would have increased the response’s efficiency and effectiveness. The following sections will describe how a centralized command system could have aided in Hurricane Katrina’s relief efforts.