This study guide is intended to complement the IS-100.C course, not replace it. It is crucial to go through the entire course material and participate actively in all training activities to understand the ICS 100 system fully.

The Purpose and Features of ICS

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach that is used for a broad spectrum of emergencies and planned events, from small to complex incidents, both natural and manmade. It is a core part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Key Features of ICS include:

• Standardization: Common terminology, modular organization, integrated communications, unified command structure.
• Scalability: ICS can be scaled up or down, meaning it can grow or shrink according to the needs of the incident.
• Interoperability: ICS allows for integration of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure.
• Management by Objectives: ICS is based on clearly defined objectives established by incident or event commanders.

Incident Commander and Command Staff Roles:

1. Incident Commander (IC): The IC has overall responsibility for managing the incident by establishing objectives, planning strategies, and implementing tactics. The IC is the only position that is always staffed in ICS applications.
2. Public Information Officer (PIO): The PIO is responsible for interfacing with the public, media, and other agencies requiring information about the incident.
3. Safety Officer (SO): The SO monitors incident operations and advises the IC on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety of emergency responder personnel.
4. Liaison Officer (LNO): The LNO serves as the point of contact for representatives of other governmental departments and agencies, NGOs, and/or the private sector (outside of the direct incident management organization) to communicate and coordinate with.

The Planning Process:

The Planning Process involves a series of steps that should be followed to develop a sound, realistic, and achievable Incident Action Plan (IAP).

1. Understand the Situation: Gather information to understand the current situation, the resources available, and the potential incident objectives and strategies.
2. Establish Incident Objectives: Define what needs to be achieved operationally in order to meet incident priorities.
3. Develop the Plan: Create a tactical plan to achieve the incident objectives.
4. Implement and Evaluate the Plan: Assign resources, communicate the plan, and monitor progress to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and make adjustments as necessary.

ICS 100 Test Answers

IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100.

Question	Answer
Which General Staff member prepares Incident Action Plans, manages information, and maintains situational awareness for the incident?	Planning Section Chief
If the Incident Commander designates personnel to provide public information, safety, and liaison services, the personnel are collectively referred to as the:	Command Staff
Which member of the Command and Staff interfaces with other agencies to meet incident-related information requirements?	Public Information Officer
The Incident Command System (ICS) is only applicable to large, complex incidents.	FALSE
Which General Staff member directs all responses and tactical actions to achieve the incident objectives?	Operations Section Chief
Which of the following are typical incident facilities? A. Point-of-distribution sites B. Camps C. Incident Command Post D. All of the Above	All of the Above
Which General Staff member negotiates and monitors contracts, maintains documentation for reimbursement, and oversees timekeeping for incident personnel?	Finance/Administration Section Chief
The Liaison Officer:	Is the point of contact for other response organizations.
Establishment of the ICS modular organization is the responsibility of the:	Incident Commander
When command is transferred, the process should include a(n):	Briefing
The Whole Community approach refers to different organizations within the Federal Government.	FALSE
Who designates the Incident Commander and the process for transferring command?	The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident
Which ICS function is responsible for documentation for mutual aid agreements?	Finance/Administration
The Incident Command System (ICS) can be used to manage any type of incident, including planned events.	TRUE
To avoid overburdening the incident command, resources should not self-dispatch (spontaneously deploy).	TRUE
Which NIMS Management Characteristic may include gathering, analyzing, and assessing weather service	Information and Intelligence Management
Who has overall responsibility for managing the on-scene incident?	Incident Commander
Manageable Span of Control refers to:	The number of individuals or resources that one supervisor can effectively manage during an incident.
Qualification, Certification, and Credentialing Personnel are part of which NIMS Management Characteristic?	Comprehensive Resource Management
Which NIMS Management Characteristic is necessary for achieving situational awareness and facilitating information sharing?	Integrated Communications
Which ICS functional area tracks resources, collects and analyzes information, and maintains documentation?	Planning
To ensure efficient, clear, communication, the National Incident Management System Characteristics recommend the use of:	Common terminology
In a Unified Command, members representing multiple jurisdictions and agencies work together to establish:	Incident Objectives
At the incident scene, who handles media inquiries?	Public Information Officer
Which ICS functional area arranges for resources and needed services to support achievement of the incident objectives?	Logistics
Which Section organizes, assigns, and supervises tactical response resources?	Operations
Which ICS functional area monitors costs related to the incident and provides accounting, procurement, time recording, and cost analysis?	Finance/Administration
Which member of the command staff interfaces with other agencies to meet incident-related information requirements?	The Public Information Officer is responsible for interfacing with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements.
Check-in, Incident Action Planning, Personal Responsibility, and Resource Tracking are all necessary to ensure:	Accountability
The Incident Command System (ICS) is:	A standardized approach to incident management that is applicable for use in all hazards.
Who designates the process for transferring command?	The jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident designates the Incident Commander and the process for transferring command.
An Incident Action Plan is captured and communicates overall operational and support activities for an incident.	TRUE
Which position is always staffed in ICS applications?	Incident Commander
Selection of Incident Commanders is done by the:	Jurisdiction or organization with primary responsibility for the incident
Which NIMS Management Characteristic refers to personnel requested through appropriate authorities and established resource management systems?	Dispatch/ Deployment
One of the benefits of ICS is that it provides an orderly, systematic ___________ process.	Planning
Depending on the incident size and complexity, various types of support facilities may be established by:	Incident command.
Acquiring, Storing, and Inventorying Resources are part of which NIMS Management Characteristic?	Comprehensive Resource Management
When partners representing multiple jurisdictions or agencies work together to establish the incident objectives, what type of Command is being used?	Unified Command
Command is:	Directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.
the number of subordinates that one supervisor can manage effectively during an incident is referred to as:	Manageable Span of Control.
Which General Staff member is responsible for ensuring that assigned incident personnel are fed and have communications, medical support, and transportation as needed to meet the operational objective?	Logistics Section Chief
Within the National Incident Management System Characteristics, the concept of common terminology covers all of the following EXCEPT:	Operations
The Incident Commander or Unified Commander establishes incident objectives that include:	Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks, and activities to achieve the objectives.
Integrated Communications includes interoperable systems that include voice and data links	TRUE
Command is defined as?	The systematic tool for the command, control, and coordination of an emergency response.
When command is transferred, the process should include which of the following?	Briefing.
If the Incident Commander designates personnel to provide public information, safety, and liaison services, the personnel are collectively referred to as which of the following?	Command Staff.
The NIMS management characteristic of chain of command and unity of command means that each person	Reports to only one ICS supervisor.