August 2015

MODULE 3: ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Public HealthIncident Leadership

Review Incident Command System positions and responsibilities

Identify responsibilities of Incident Commander

Increase understanding of the expectations of the Incident Management Team

Objectives

Not business as usual

Challenging model Decisions based on incomplete information Need for timely decision making

ICS in Public Health

Effective and efficient response to incidents with public health implications

Establishes common processes for planning and management of resources

Provides a common operating structureRespond with partners in a seamless,

coordinated fashionProvides common language when working

with partners

Why ICS?

ICS Structure

Know agency policy and lines of authorityResponsible for all ICS management functions until

delegatedEnsure incident safetyOverall responsibility for managing the incident by

establishing objectives, planning strategies, and implementing tactics Establish immediate priorities Determine incident objectives and strategies Establish type of organization needed and monitor functioning

and effectiveness of organization in managing the incident Approve the Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Incident Commander

Manage Planning Meetings as requiredCoordinate activity of Command and General

StaffApprove requests for additional resources or

for the release of resourcesAuthorizes release of information to the news

mediaOrders demobilization of the incident when

appropriateEnsure incident after-action reports are

completeDisplay command presence

Incident Commander

A Deputy Incident Commander may be designated to:

Perform specific tasks as requested by the Incident Commander

Perform the incident command function in a relief capacity

Represent an assisting agency that shares jurisdiction

Deputy Incident Commander

Command Staff

Implementing effective ICS teams is more than knowing the roles

Effective teams both understand and manage expectations Command and general staff are aware of what is

expected of them by the Incident Commander Incident Commander is aware of what is expected of

him or her by the incident management team

Roles and Expectations

For your assigned ICS position:1.List 3-4 key responsibilities2.List what support you as Incident

Commander expect from this position

5 Minutes

Group Activity

• Advises the Incident Commander on information dissemination and media relations• IC approves media releases

• Monitors and forwards media information that may be useful to incident planning

• Develops information for use in media briefings

• Conducts periodic media briefings• Arranges for tours and other interviews or

briefings that may be required• Maintains current information summaries

and/or displays on the incident• Makes information about the incident

available to incident personnel• Participates in the Planning Meeting

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Incident Commander Expectations of Public Information Officer Keep personnel up-to-date on major current affairs Coordinate with Liaison Officer in relations with stakeholders Identify and keep IC informed of emerging issues Coordinate and represent the IC in off-site PIO activities Promote a positive impression of all information

Public Information Officer Expectations of Incident Commander Approve press releases in a timely manner Cooperate with media requests and public information

meetings Provide direction on his/her media expectations

Expectations: Public Information Officer

• Advises the Incident Commander on issues regarding incident safety

• Identifies and mitigates hazardous situations• Ensures safety of all incident personnel• Works with Operations to ensure safety of field

personnel• Has authority to stop unsafe acts outside the

scope of • the IAP

• Develops safety procedures and safety plan• Reviews IAP for safety implications and

documents on 215A• Reviews and approves Medical Plan

• Initiates preliminary investigation of accidents within incident

• Participates in Planning Meetings• Ensures safety messages and briefing are

completed

Safety Officer

Incident Commander Expectations of Safety Officer Identify, manage, instruct and mitigate all hazards on the

incident Keep IC informed on trends/causes of accidents and illnesses Promote attitude of 100% compliance with safety rules Provide relevant and effective safety message in each IAP

Safety Officer Expectations of Incident Commander Emphasize safety in all communications and actions Support recommendations for changes in tactics for safety

reasons

Expectations: Safety Officer

• Assists the Incident Commander by serving as a point of contact for representatives from other response organizations and entities• Maintains list of assisting and cooperating

agencies and agency representatives• Assists in setting up and coordinating

interagency contacts• Provides briefings to and answers questions from

supporting organizations• Monitors incident operations to identify current

or potential inter-organizational problems• Participates in Planning Meetings• Provides current resource status, including

capabilities and limitations of partner agency resources

• Provides partner agency specific demobilization information and requirements

Liaison Officer

Incident Commander Expectations of Liaison Officer Address stakeholder concerns and issues in a positive manner Identify and coordinate with all involved agencies and

organizations Provide a positive impression of incident to other

agencies/stakeholders Coordinate with Public Information Officer in relations with

stakeholders Keep other IMT members aware of issues with assisting agencies

Liaison Officer Expectations of Incident Commander Advise and counsel on issues presented by assisting agencies Provide overall mission and direction Show willingness to engage with stakeholders when necessary

Expectations: Liaison Officer

General Staff

Manages tactical operationsResponsible for the operations portion of the Incident

Action Plan (IAP) Supervises the execution of the incident’s operations Requests additional resources to support tactical

operationsMaintains close contact with subordinate positionsMakes or approves changes to operations portion of

the IAPApproves release of resources from assignments to

the incidentMaintains close contact with the Incident

Commander

Operations Section Chief

Incident Commander Expectations of Operations Chief Recommend strategies to reach objectives Keep IMT informed of planned tactics to ensure timely input

and support Order resources within fiscal and environmental boundaries Report unusual events and activities; provide daily updates Insist all known safety procedures are followed Maintain effective communication with all cooperating

agencies

Operations Chief Expectations of Incident Commander Supply objectives Point out any constraints on strategies or tactics.

(environmental, political or financial)

Expectations: Operations Section Chief

Collects and manages all incident-relevant operational data

Prepares the Incident Action Plan (IAP) Provides input to the Incident Commander and

Operations ChiefConducts and facilitates Planning MeetingsEstablishes information requirements and

reporting schedulesReassigns existing personnel to ICS organizational

positions as appropriateDevelops plans for demobilization

Planning Section Chief

Planning Section Units

Incident Commander Expectations of Planning Chief Exercise effective leadership and organization of all

incident meetings and briefings. Ensure established planning process is followed, timely and

accurate. Maintain overview of all incident activities

Planning Chief Expectations of Incident Commander Provide incident objectives Provide Planning Meeting schedules/operational periods Provide deadlines for Incident Action Plan Review and approve Incident Action Plan

Expectations: Planning Section Chief

Manages all incident logistics Orders, obtains, maintains and accounts for essential

personnel, equipment and suppliesProvides logistics input to the Incident Action PlanIdentifies anticipated and known incident service

and support requirementsRequests additional resources as neededDevelops the communications, medical and traffic

plans as neededOversees demobilization of the Logistics Section

Logistics Section Chief

Incident Commander Expectations of Logistics Chief Managing the ordering process to meet all incident needs Anticipate and maintain supplies ahead of the need whenever

possible Work closely with Operations to provide logistical support and

coordination Coordinate with the supporting EOC to ensure effective relations

Logistics Chief Expectations of Incident Commander Provide priorities for ordering personnel, supplies and equipment Provide support for logistics activities Keep in the loop for planned direction of the incident

Expectations: Logistics Section Chief

Manages all financial aspects of an incidentProvides financial and cost analysis information as

requestedEnsures compensation and claims functions

relative to the incident are being addressedDevelops an operating plan for the

Finance/Administration Section Fills section supply and support needs

Ensures all personnel time records are accurately completed

Ensures all obligation documents are properly prepared and completed

Finance/Administration Section Chief

Incident Commander Expectations of Finance Chief Advise all command and general staff about fiscal, contract and

other administrative matters Provide cost analysis if requested Possess good knowledge and ability to operate Finance Section

effectively Coordinate with all staff and responsible agencies to meet

administrative requirements

Finance Chief Expectations of Incident Commander Provide general advice and counsel Provide financial and political constraints Provide feedback on performance and evaluation Approval of excess staff time

Expectations: Finance Section Chief

You are asked for a map of the incident area.

Who would you go to?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

You received the following notice:

The National Weather Service has just announced that the Winter Storm Warning for the Metro and South Central Minnesota is being changed to a Blizzard Warning.

What do you do with this information?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

A mass vaccination site calls to tell you that they are running out of vaccine.

Who would you go to ?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

You received a call that one of the trucks dispatched to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) from a large business supplier has broken down after picking up the PPE supplies.

Who would you go to?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

The receptionist tells you that she can’t keep up with the phone calls coming in about an infectious disease.

Who would you go to?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

Re-elections are right around the corner. An elected official wants to attend the health department planning meetings.

Who would you go to?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

A long-term care facility has lost main power due to a storm. The facility has limited back-up generator capacity. They have 60 residents and do not want to evacuate in these conditions.

Who would you go to?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

Media are requesting messages on the health dangers of the smoke from the forest fires to those with respiratory problems.

Who would you go to?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

Your office is experiencing intermittent power and phone outages.

Who would you go to?

Exercise: Delegation of Tasks

Communication

Mutual Support

Situation Monitoring

Leadership

AttitudesAffect “Feel”

Attitudes

KnowledgeCognitions

“Think”

Knowledge

SkillsBehaviors

“Do”Performance

Skills

Framework for Public Health Incident Leadership