The Incident Command System (ICS) was developed in California to coordinate personnel, resources, and communication during the response to an emergency. It has been adopted as the national model. ICS is a fundamental element of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), which was implemented in California after the 1991 East Bay Hills fire. SEMS provides a means for the different response agencies and levels of government (local, regional, state, federal) to interact in an emergency.

The Incident Command System has a flexible structure that works at all levels of governmental response. It is also a good model for neighborhood response. Some basic components of ICS are unified command, common terminology, comprehensive resource management, and manageable span of control.

ICS is flexible and can be expanded or contracted. One person can perform several functions. These descriptions are of functions, not specific people.

The IC manages and coordinates the response from the Command Post. The IC does not leave the Command Post without delegating the response management to someone else. Upon consultation with the other Command Post staff, the IC puts incidents in priority and decides whether and how to respond based on safety considerations and available personnel and resources. Anyone should be prepared to act as Incident Commander, at least on a temporary basis. The first person to arrive at the Command Post serves as the Incident Commander initially. Until others arrive, the Incident Commander carries out all the ICS roles.

Planning acts as the check-in point at the Command Post for responders, volunteers, and persons reporting incidents. Planning advises the Incident Commander, based on an overall assessment of the neighborhood and area situation, including potential changes in weather, road closures, etc. Planning consults and maintains maps of the neighborhood and area.

Administration keeps ongoing records and documentation of the response Team efforts, including records of any expenses. Administration maintains the Status Board (a record of incidents and actions taken) and the roster of personnel. The Administration and Planning functions are easily combined at the neighborhood level.

Operations forms the response Teams based on the Incident Commander?s directions, making a list of the members and leader of each Team. Teams consist of at least two people. For most response activities, at least one Team member should have some disaster response skills. Ideally, response Teams consist of two or more trained people plus one or two additional people who can serve as runners and record information in the field. The personnel to run the First Aid Station and staff the Shelter Site also come from Operations.

Logistics provides the equipment, supplies, and any other support needed by the response Teams, the Command Post staff, the First Aid Station, and the Shelter Site. Logistics finds additional volunteers if needed. The Operations and Logistics functions are easily combined at the neighborhood level.

The Command Post is the location chosen as the neighborhood base of operation during a disaster. Main site and back-up sites should be known in advance. It is the location neighbors know to come to for information on displaced family members, stray pets, hazardous areas, work assignments, First Aid Station and Shelter locations, etc. It also serves as a message center to leave information for family members and friends about condition and location. A battery operated AM-FM radio should be monitored at the Command Post at all times. A system of communication among the Command Post, First Aid Station, Shelter Site, and the response Teams can consist of radios or runners. For incidents that the neighborhood cannot handle, the Command Post can communicate by runner or HAM radio with the Emergency Operations Center (the local professional response center) at the El Cerrito Public Safety Building, San Pablo and Manila.

The Command Post should be in a centralized location with shelter, or a large open area where a temporary shelter such as a tent can be placed, preferably away from overhead wires, chimneys, or other hazards. Arrangements should be made in advance to have access, such as a key. Holding a social or fundraising event at the Command Post site familiarizes neighbors with the location. Some examples of Command Post locations are private home, garage, carport, or patio; child care facility; church; park or playing field; recreation room, lobby, garage, or parking lot of apartment or condominium building, etc.

Large sign reading Command Post; signs listing Shelter and First Aid Station sites; table and chairs; status board (chalkboard with chalk & eraser, or dry erase board with markers & eraser, or flipchart or large pad or sheets of paper with tape); clipboards; pads of paper; pens & pencils; sign-in sheets; name tags; checklists & forms; neighborhood & area maps; NEAT Manual; neighborhood disaster & evacuation plan; completed NEAT Neighborhood Data sheets; list of names and addresses of people with special needs; message board (board or corkboard with tacks, or paper, pens, and tape); AM-FM radios & batteries; communication equipment; megaphone; whistles; flashlights and lanterns & batteries; rain gear; comfort items, facial tissues, food, water, etc.