Integrated Communications and Resource Managment in ICS - Essay Example

Haddow, 2010). An incident command system is basically a command and control system that is established by an organization in order to define responsibilities and organizational structure for the specific purpose of managing everyday operations of all types of emergency incidents that may arise (NRT, 2010). The main purpose of setting up an incident command system is to ensure the safety of the responders and the victims of the incidences, to ensure the attainment of tactical objectives and to effectively use the available resources in response to the emergency incidents (DHS, 2004).

There are many benefits that come as a result of setting up an incident command system. First of all it enables the quick response to emergency incidents of any kind and size. This is because the responders are already prepared to tackle any of the incidents that might occur. The second benefit is that it is cost effective because it forbids the duplication of effort. All members of the incident command system have specific responsibilities which they are supposed to carry out in the event of an incident (DHS, 2004).

The third benefit is that it provides both logistic and administrative support to the operational staff that is involved in the mitigation of the incidents and lastly it allows for personnel from other agencies to blend quickly into a common management structure (DHS, 2004). There are various key components of the incident command system among them are resource management and integrated communication. These are basically the two most important features of the ICS. This is because all possible incidences need to be communicated to the population residing in a given location so that they are always prepared physically and psychologically for the likely outcomes of the incidences if they happen (DHS, 2004).

On the other hand an organization may have abundant resources to deal with incidences but if not properly managed it will be impossible to deal with a small incident and this may lead to lots of damage and even death. In the ICS it is mandatory that both the communication plan and the incident action plan are integrated in order to capture the management goals and operational objectives. During incident action planning it is necessary to take into account the capabilities and capacities of systems to support operations because responders’ safety and effectiveness are highly related to how well the communications support them.

Integrated communication in the ICS is first established by the formation of the communications unit and its leader. This is to ensure that the response plan is well supported by communications and that it follows command structures and operating principles (Hawkins, 2007). This unit will ensure the development of voice and data communication systems that will comprise of equipment, systems, procedures and protocols to be observed in the event of an incident. For the case of Irving the integrated communications will include programs and campaigns that will be used to sensitive people on the need for preparing for drought, hail and hurricanes.

The communication systems will include those that will be used to inform people about possible disasters, others for alerting people to prepare for evacuation and others for helping the responders know who to carry on during the incident. In the event that the disasters strike it will be easy to