ICS ( INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM) AND CURRENT RESPONSE PLAN

Mount St. Mary’s CollegeCERT/DERT

Please note: This does not encompass the entirety of the Mount St. Mary’s emergency plan. It is for academic reference only.

PowerPoint designed by officer Michael McFatridge of Mount St. Mary’ College

What is the Incident Command System?

• The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach that:

• Allows for the integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications operating within a common organizational structure.

• Enables a coordinated response among various jurisdictions and functional agencies, both public and private (MSMC).

• Establishes common processes for planning and managing resources.

• Provides a roadmap for incident chain of command.

ICS History

ICS was developed in the 1970s following a series of catastrophic fires in California's urban interface. Property damage ran into the millions, and many people died or were injured. The personnel assigned to determine the causes of these outcomes studied the case histories and discovered that response problems could rarely be attributed to lack of resources or failure of tactics. Surprisingly, studies found that response problems were far more likely to result from inadequate management than from any other single reason.

How does ICS apply at the Mount?

Simply put, the Incident Command System is a guideline of how to manage a major incident on campus.

Provides a clear Command Structure for emergency management.

Gives guidance on “best practices” when dealing with an emergency.

Helps in the recovery phase of an incident.

Incident Command Structure

In a perfect world, this is how the Incident Command structure would look.

Incident Command Structure(Incident Commander)

The Incident Commander is the first, last and final word when deciding on how to approach and take action during an incident. The Incident Commander is the “lead” decision maker.

The Incident Commander is the “boss” during an incident. Official job title do not apply during an incident when the ICS is active.

Incident Commander has the final authority to issue an evacuation order. Once the order is given, evacuation must take place without exception.

Incident CommanderAuthority and Responsibilities

Incident Commander oversees the entire operation from start to finish.

Declares and ends campus “State of Emergency” in collaboration with the College President.

Organizes the Command Post.Selects key personnel for the Incident Command

System.Directs activities with community services.Authorizes press releases.Make final decisions on major conflicts during

emergency response.

Who is Incident Commander?

Vice-President for Student Affairs (when available)Assistant Vice-President for Student AffairsDirector of Resident LifeDirector of Campus SecurityHighest ranking official on campus at the time of

emergency. When any of the above individuals arrive on

campus, they may automatically assume command of the incident given the nature of the incident and experience of the individual currently managing the incident.

Operations Manager

Typically, the Operations Manager is second in command during an incident.

The Director of Security is the designated Ops Manager.Reports directly to the Incident Commander.Organizes the formal response based on directives from

the Incident Commander.Controls all information going to the Incident

Commander.Keeps the Incident Commander informed of available

resources.Directs all fire/search and rescue and medical

responses.

Logistics Manager

The Director of Facilities Management is the designated Logistics Manager.

Under the command of the Operations Manager.Manages the collection and compilation of resources.Oversees the Scribes and assigned people in the

Staging area.Coordinates certain Team Leader responses.One key aspect of this position is keeping track of

available resources, (supplies, equipment and personnel).

Inform the Operations Manager of available resources and when more resources are needed.

Command Post Scribe

Reports to the Incident Commander and Operations Manager.

Records all information coming into the Command Center.

Communicates vital information to the Incident Commander and Operations Manager.

Shields the Incident Commander from non-essential personnel.

Medical Team Leader

The Director of Health Services is the designated Medical Team Leader.

Under the authority of the Logistics Manager.

Assigns a scribe to document reported injuries.

Assigns group members for field assessments.

Oversees triage, treatment and victim transport.

Designate areas for medical treatment.

Fire Team Lead

Ranking Facilities Management member will be assigned this position if needed.

Under the authority of the Logistics Manager.Assigns a scribe to document all fire activity

and location of fires.Oversees fire suppression (if safe), isolation

of hazardous materials, and utilities shut down.

Communicates with Fire Department on potential threats to property and respond accordingly.

Search and Rescue Team Leader

This is a duel role position. Highest ranking member from both Campus Security and Facilities Management will be designated.

Under the authority of the Operations ManagerCommunicates directly with Command Post.Coordinates team members.Relays equipment needs to the Logistics Manager.Assign RunnersNo Search and Rescue operations may commence until first

authorized by the Operations Manager.Coordinates with Fire Department on appropriate response.Only performs Search and Rescue operations if it is

absolutely safe to do so.

Public Information Officer (PIO)

The Director of Public Relations is the designated PIO.

Under the authority of the Incident Commander, the Operations Manager and College President.

Crafts the “official” message and receives approval from the above listed individuals.

Manage news releases and communicate news information regarding the incident.

Only person authorized to speak of behalf of the college to the media.

ICS- What’s Next?

Over the next several years, more specific components of the ICS will be introduced to CERT/DERT so we can respond better to emergencies.

Key individuals of CERT/DERT will receive enhanced training on ICS so they can better manage their areas of responsibility.

Formalized Mount ICS manuals will be developed to provide clear direction for all members of CERT/DERT.

Tips on Coping with an Emergency

Remain calm. “Chaos breeds chaos”. Don’t add to the problem.

Access the situation.Check for injuries. Yours and those around you.Request assistance. Know that support is there for

you-YOU ARE NOT ALONE.Listen for information.Follow emergency instructions.Rely on more experience individuals to help you.Remain calm, yes, it’s in here again because it may be

the most important aspect of emergency management.

Current MSMC Emergency Response Plan

Each campus is comprised of an Emergency Response Team.

Chalon (CERT)- 45 members make up the CERT team.Doheny (DERT)- 41 members make up the DERT team.Teams meet twice an academic year. Topics of

discussion include but not limited to earthquake readiness, evacuation procedures and campus shooter.

Teams conduct a minimum of one actual evacuation drill on each campus and one table-top exercise on a topic chosen by the Chairperson.

Emergency Supplies

Each campus has a dedicated emergency supply storage area.

Storage contains food, water, first aid supplies, search and rescue equipment, triage set-up, generators, lighting and other key supplies needed in the event of an emergency.

Currently, there is enough food and water to be self sufficient for 3 days. (Would use food in cafeteria’s first since it would go bad first) LAFD recommends a 7-10 supply of food and water. This is currently not possible due to storage capacity.

Emergency Training

Some members of the Mount community went through the LAFD Community Emergency Response Team (LA CERT) a number of years ago. Training was approximately 40 hours and was done at no cost to the college other than the time commitment.

ALL Campus Security personnel have undergone training on CPR, basic First Aid and AED (automatic external defibrillator). Currently there are between 4 and 5 AED deployed on each campus.

Campus Security personnel have been trained on Critical Incident Management. Training provided tools on responding to and dealing with critical incidents on campus. This 4 hour training was done over this past summer.

Over the next year, the Director of Campus Security will be taking part in the on-line NIMS training course through the FEMA.gov site. NIMS stands for the Nationals Incident Management System. The goal of the training is to bring a more standardize approach to Emergency Management on campus. NIMS covers the following topics: Preparedness Communications and Information Management Resource Management Command and Management Incident Command System Multiagency Coordination Systems Public Information Ongoing Maintenance and Management

Response Teams

There are three types of response teams.Fire SuppressionMedicalSearch and Rescue

Teams are assigned based on real-life experience at the Mount and are never asked to put their lives in danger. All teams are managed by either the Incident Commander, the Operations Manager or both. Decisions are made at the top level of management before response teams are sent out into the field. If there is ever a question of safety, teams will be held back until such a time it is deemed safe to send them out.

Building & Floor Monitors

Each campus has assigned building and floor monitors. These people are typically on campus Monday-Friday during normal operating hours.

Floor Monitors- Responsible for a single floor of a given building. They must personally check each area of their floor to ensure that all individuals have evacuated and also make note of damage and injuries.

Building Monitors- Overall responsibility for the reporting of injuries and damage to a single building. They must also check that all floor monitors have reported in to the command center.

CERT/DERT of the Future

Ideally, I would like to see the formation of an MSMC Emergency Management Command Group. Members would include the President, all VP’s, key Directors from Security, Health Services, Residence Life, Support Services, Facilities, Human Resources and CPS.

This group would set the overall direction of the MSMC Emergency Management Plan and then it would be the responsibility of the CERT/DERT Chairperson to see that the goals were met.

Over the next several years, different components of the Incident Command System will be rolled out at MSMC with the goal of a more unified command structure and response.

We should invest in better equipment and training for all of our first responders. Much of the training Campus Security did was done at no extra cost.

Emergency Kits

You should have an emergency kit for your home, office and car.

Kits should include the following: Food- including comfort food. Water Change of cloths Flashlight w/ extra batteries First-Aid supplies Blanket AM/FM Radio Anything else that you feel will help you through the

emergency.

Emergency Kits

Typical 1 person car kit- around $25

1 Person Survival kit- around $50

Basic 1 Person Survival kit- around $10

It does not matter the size of the kit, in only matters that you have a kit. All CERT/DERT members should have at least one kit at their disposal.

Resources

www.fema.govwww.ready.govwww.shakeout.orgwww.scec.org (Southern California

Earthquake Center)www.redcross.orgwww.sosproducts.com (Emergency

Kits/Supplies)

Thank You!!

QUESTIONS