incident response system.

1. Unit 2:
IRS Overview

2. Unit Objectives
 Identify scope and purpose of the
Incident Response System (IRS).
 Identify requirements
to use IRS.

3. What Is an Incident?
An incident is . . .
. . . an occurrence
or event, natural
or manmade, that
requires a response
to protect life or
property.

4. What is IRS?
 Is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident
management concept/tool.
 It is Modular in character- Allows its users to
adopt an integrated organizational structure to
match the requirements
 It is compatible to complexities and demands
of single or multiple incidents without being
hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.

5. Simply put, IRS ….
 Is a Management Tool
 Has All-hazards incident
applicability
 Has integrated organizational
structure
 Team Based Approach
 Professionalise the Response

6. IRS Purposes
Using best management
practices, IRS helps to
ensure:
 The safety of responders
and others.
 The achievement of
tactical objectives.
 The efficient use of
resources.

7. Indian Disaster Response System
Difficulties/Challenges------
 Designated Authorities Not Backed by Professional
Teams; lack of effectiveness in discharging specific
duties
 Key Coordinating Officer may get Overwhelmed, too
many people reporting to supervisor at a time
 Inadequate/Ineffective resource management
 Lack Of Professional Supply Mgmt

8. Indian Disaster Response System
Difficulties/Challenges------
 Coordination Issues: Unclear lines of authority ,
accountability , information sharing, media, NGO etc
 Communication weaknesses-inadequacy, lack of
plan
 Lack Of Resource Inventory, digitised Maps etc
 Poor Documentation ; Inadequate Cost Monitoring

9. High Powered Committee(HPC)
 Under Mr JC Pant, formerly Secretary to GOI In 1999
RECOMMENDATIONS :
 Culture of -PREPAREDNESS
 -QUICK RESPONSE
 -STRATEGIC THINKING
 -PREVENTION
BEST PRACTICES—
 -INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM(ICS),
 SUPPLY MANAGEMENT(SUMA),
 EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER(EOC),
 EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS (ESFs),
 FIELD OPERATION GUIDES(FOG),
 SPECIALISED TEAMS(SAR,HAZMAT etc),
 MOBILE HOSPITALS,DMATS,
 INFORMATION NETWORK(IDRN)

10. NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT FRAME
WORK
1. Disaster Management Law/Policy-National Disaster
Management Act,2005; National Policy on Disaster
Management 2009;
2.Institutional Mechanism- NDMA, SDMA,DDMA
3.Mainstreaming Disaster Mitigation/Prevention into
development process.
4.Technolegal regime-Include in building codes etc
5.Specialist Response Teams (NDRF/SDRF, Regional
Response Centers).
6. Network of EOCs
7.Capacity Building– Responders, NGOs & Community.
8. Modernization/Technological support

11. History of IRS
 Based on HPC recommendations ICS of USA
introduced after a series of consultations.
 Incorporated as a part of the GoI-USAID bilateral
project on Disaster Management Support(DMS)
 LBSNAA made nodal agency for training and
adaptation
 NIDM and other training institutions added.

12. MHA, GOI approved Policy Document
• In 2004, MHA approved a
Policy document outlining the
approach, strategy & activities
in this adaptation process.
Main Considerations:
• It will not put in place a new
hierarchy or supplant the
existing system
• Designated authorities at
different levels to be backed by
trained Incident Command
Teams
• Training (Principal driver for
Institutionalization)

13. NDMA, GOI Guidelines on IRS

14. Key features of IRS guidelines
 ICS becomes Incident Response System (IRS)
 Changed IRS structure notified
 Identification of officers for various IRS
positions at state and district level brining
various departments together
 Creation of Responsible Official position
IRS-Intro-PPT-21

15. Need for IRS
a. Lack of accountability and prior training for
effective performance (adhoc and emergent nature
of arrangements);
b. Lack of an orderly and systematic planning process;
c. Unclear chain of command and supervision of
response ;
d. Lack of proper communication, inefficient use of
available resources, use of conflicting codes,
terminology & no prior communication plan;

16. Need for IRS
e. Lack of predetermined method / system to effectively
integrate inter-agency requirements into the disaster
management structures and planning process;
f. Lack of coordination between the first responders
and individuals, professionals and NGOs with
specialized skills during the response phase; and
g. Lack of use of common terminology for different
resources resulting in improper requisitioning and
inappropriate resource mobilization etc;

17. IRS Offers:
a. Well thought out pre-designated roles for each
member of the response team;
b. Systematic and complete planning process;
c. System of accountability for the IRT members;
d. Clear cut chain of command;
e. Effective resource management;
f. Proper and coordinated communications set up;
g. System for effectively integrating independent
agencies into the planning and command structure
without infringing on the independence of the
concerned
agencies; and
h. Integration of community resources in the response
effort.

18. IRS Organisation
 Based upon the Organisation of Incident
Response system which addresses various
functions in disaster management in totality.
 Attempt has been made to adapt to Indian
conditions and needs and has been suitably
modified.
 Only three sections with Finance &
administration coming as a branch of Logistic
section.
 Some other variations in Units.
 Concept of Nodal officer introduced for
coordinating Air Operations.

19. Information Liaison
Safety
Staging Areas
Strike Team
Task Force
Single
Resource
Divisions Groups
Branches Air Operations
Branch
Operations Section
Resource
Unit
Demobilization
Unit
Situation Unit Documentation
Planning Section
Communication
Unit
t
Medical Unit
t
Food Unit
Service Branch
Supply
Unit
Facilities
Unit
Ground
Support Unit
Support Branch
Logistics Section
Time Unit
Compensation/
Claims Unit
Procurement
Unit
Cost Unit
Finance/
Administration Section
Incident Commander
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
Organization Chart

20. Responsible Official
Nodal Officer
(Air Operations)
INCIDENT COMMANDER Deputy
Information & Media Officer
Safety Officer
Liason Officer
Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section
COMMAND
STAFF
GENERAL
STAFF

21. Incident Response System Organisation Chart
INCIDENT COMMANDER
Deputy
Information & Media Officer
Safety Officer
Liaison Officer
OPERATIONS SECTION PLANNING SECTION LOGISTICS SECTION
Staging Area
Response Branch
Division
(Geographical)
Group (Functional)
Single Resource
Task Force /
Strike Team)
Transportation
Branch
Road
Rail
Water
Air
Resource Unit
Situation Unit
Documentation
Unit
Demobilization
Unit
Service Branch Support Branch Finance Branch
Communication
Unit
Medical
Unit
Food
Unit
Resource
Provisioning
Unit
Facilities
Unit
Ground Support
Unit
Time Unit
Compensation
/ ClaimUnit
Procurement
Unit
Cost
Unit

22. Key Concepts
 Responsible Official
 Delegation of authority
 Emergency Operation Centers
(EOC)
 Onsite & Offsite Response
Mechanisms

23. IRS Provides Direction Through Delegation Of
Authority & Responsibility
 The Responsible Official (RO) establishes policy,
direction, parameters, and delegates authority to the
Incident Commander (IC)
 RO generally not at scene all the time but maintains
contact as necessary.

24. Emergency Operation Center (EOC)
 The EOC will take stock of the emerging
situation and assist the RO in mobilising the
respective line department's resources,
manpower and expertise along with appropriate
delegated authorities for the on-scene IRT(s).
 EOC will keep the RO informed of the changing
situation and support extended.
 This responsibility can be discharged most
effectively only if it has the required information
through a fail safe communication facility and an
ideal information technology solution.

25. Emergency Operations
Centre (EOC)
IRS-Intro-PPT-29

26. Role of IRS within National DM System
Command and Management
Preparedness
Communication and
Information Management
Resource Management
Ongoing Management and
Maintenance
Incident
Response
System
Multiagency
Coordination
Systems
Public
Information

27. Role of IRS in Overall Response
Disaster Management
Authority
Disaster Management
Authority
Emergency Operations
Center
Emergency Operations
Center
Incident
Response
System
Incident
Response
System
Managemen
t of On-
Scene
Operations
Coordination, Strategy,
Resources & Support
Legislature /
Executives
Legislature /
Executives
Law, Policy
and Authority

28. IRS Purposes
IRS helps to ensure:
 The safety of responders and others
 The achievement of tactical objectives
 The efficient use of resources
 Common operating picture

29. IRS Benefits
 Meets needs of incidents of
any kind or size.
 Allows personnel from a
variety of agencies to meld
rapidly into a common
management structure.
 Provides logistical /
administrative support to
operational staff.
 Is cost effective by avoiding
duplication of efforts.

30. Knowledge Review (1 of 2)
Instructions: Decide if the statement is TRUE or
FALSE.
IRS could be used to
manage a training
conference,
charity fundraising event,
or emergency response
and recovery.

31. Knowledge Review (2 of 2)
Instructions: Decide if the statement is TRUE or
FALSE.
The study of previous
incident responses found
that failures likely
resulted from a lack of
resources.

32. IRS Benefits
IRS:
 Meets the needs of incidents of any kind or size.
 Allows personnel from a variety of agencies to meld
rapidly into a common management structure.
 Provides logistical and administrative support to
operational staff.
 Is cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts.

33. Activity: Management Challenges (1 of 2)
Instructions:
 Working as a team, review the scenario
presented on the next visual.
 Identify the top three challenges for managing
this incident. Write these challenges on chart
paper.
 Using what you have learned so far, describe
how IRS could be used to address these
challenges.
 Select a spokesperson. Be prepared to present
in 5 minutes.

34. Activity: Management Challenges (2 of 2)
Scenario: An unexpected flash flood has struck a
small community. As a result:
 Homes, schools, and the business district have
been evacuated.
 Critical infrastructure has been damaged including
contamination of the water supply, downed power
lines, and damaged roads.
 Perimeter control and security in the the main part
of town are needed.
 Assistance is arriving from several surrounding
communities.

35. Summary (1 of 2)
Instructions: Answer the
questions below.
 What are three purposes of
IRS?
 What are the requirements
to use IRS?

36. Summary (2 of 2)
IRS:
 Is a standardized management tool for meeting
the demands of small or large emergency or
nonemergency situations.
 Represents "best practices," and has become
the standard for emergency management
across the country.
 May be used for planned events, natural
disasters, and acts of terrorism.