The Incident Command System (ICS) is a tool……

In reading through my current cohort’s assignments where they reflect on their understanding of the Incident Command System, it was interesting to me that a few held the system up as a true “answer all” during emergencies and disaster events. ICS is a tried and proven management system. It is currently federally mandated and utilized in all 50 states. But….. it is still a system that is a tool and depends on the proper knowledge and experience to utilize it correctly. The term ICS has become such a buzz word that I am beginning to see people toss it around in conversations and reports out of its original context. An event is not managed and normalcy is not returned by ICS alone. A person does that utilizing ICS as their management tool. Responders do not possess an inherent knowledge of ICS and how to best work under it. Training and experience with ICS is what sharpens this tool. Knowing the titles of the command staff and general staff positions does not qualify you in itself to be “ICS Certified” as neither does one or two internet courses in ICS. We will continue to strive to our students the importance of not only certifications and education in ICS, but credibility and experience in working within the system as well. The Incident Command System remains an excellent tool, we just need to remain cognizant of professional shortfalls in its implementation, and consistently work to overcome them.