In the next several blogs, Active Shooter 360 explores the core functions of an Incident Management Team (IMT). We call this series Incident Management in Five Words.
The Incident Command System (ICS) is practically in the DNA of first responders, but practitioners in other fields sometimes view ICS as a complicated system. We agree that it’s new terminology that appears to be different from the normal way of doing business. The key to effective crisis management is a core team called the IMT.
An IMT is overarched by just five core words; five key functions – not based on rank or hierarchy – that frame an IMT as follows:
Incident Commander – leads and manages; responsible for the big picture and other functions not delegated; wears a command vest, stays at a command post, uses a clipboard/tablet and a radio, and doesn’t perform tactical operations.
Operations Chief – where the work gets done beyond the normal everyday mission; fixing things by reaching out and touching the problems.
Logistics Chief – ensures the Operations Chief doesn’t run out of stuff; orders and appropriates resources beyond initial on-hand people, supplies, and equipment.
Planning Chief – assists Command and Operations in the development of a formal planning cycle that goes beyond the initial verbal incident action plan; tracks and deploys resources appropriated by the Logistics Chief.
Safety Officer – responsible for ensuring safe operations and has no distracting collateral duties; authority to immediately correct or terminate unsafe operations or procedures.
We do not address the Administration/Finance component of the ICS because we assume that entities have a system to address finance and administration issues. Further, Admin/Finance issues are beyond the scope of this blog.
Key Takeaway: An IMT is a core cadre of crisis managers that can effectively manage crisis events. In the next six blog posts, we explore the previously listed IMT functions in more detail.
What are your thoughts?