Beyond Initial Response: Using the National Incident Management System's Incident Command System

This book follows all NIMS ICS (National Incident Management System--Incident Command System) processes and principles. Beyond Initial Response was written to fill a significant gap in ICS training. Critical ICS position-specific training is difficult to get, yet responders have the responsibility to effectively operate in an ICS organization. This book removes the gap, instills confidence, knowledge and assurance that is required to be successful in an ICS command.

Major focus areas: 1) the ICS Planning Process discussed in extensive detail, 2) ICS positions (13 critical positions thoroughly covered in depth), and 3) Unified Command: what it takes to be successful.

This book is an invaluable reference tool that contains numerous job aids, checklists, illustrations and sample documents enabling the user to seamlessly work within the Incident Command System. In addition, it is an excellent support source for ICS training, contingency planning and response operations.

Beyond Initial Response should be within arms length whether you are training or deploying.

Chuck Mills is the President of Emergency Management Services International, Inc. (EMSI). He has more than 40 years’ experience in emergency management and provides emergency management services to government and nongovernmental organizations. He was previously a Program Manager for the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR). He was instrumental in the development of both national and international disaster response teams and actively participated as a member on these teams. He served 32 years in the US Forest Service, specializing in emergency management. During this period he was the Federal representative for the development and implementation of the National Interagency Incident Management System Incident Command System. He has also served as a National Incident Commander for numerous complex emergencies using the ICS. He is recognized worldwide as a subject matter expert on preparedness and disaster response operations.

Tim Deal is an officer in the US Coast Guard. He has extensive emergency response experience with natural disasters, oil spills, and chemical spills. He has response experience in several ICS positions, including Planning Section Chief, Operations Section Chief, and Deputy Incident Commander and has trained hundreds of responders from government and private sector organizations. Mr. Deal has a BS from Humboldt State University and an MPP from the University of California at Berkeley.

Michael de Bettencourt is a Health, Safety, and Environment Manager for EG&G. He provides emergency management program assessment services and conducts ICS training for industry and public sector clients. He has worked as a responder and manager for oil spills, chemical releases, shipboard and facility fires, floods, large-scale law enforcement operations, and many maritime incidents. He has lectured on ICS at many conferences and has trained hundreds of responders in the US, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand. Mr. de Bettencourt has a BS from the University of the State of New York, and an MS from the University of Houston.

Vickie Huyck is a US Coast Guard officer. She has a variety of operational experience in emergency response management for oil spills, hazardous materials releases, as well as homeland security and port operations. Vickie Huyck has been an Operations Section Chief and Deputy Incident Commander. She also served as a response program manager for the Coast Guard in Washington DC and developed the ICS program implementation guidelines for the Coast Guard in the 1990s. She has a BS from the US Coast Guard Academy, an MS from Central Michigan University, and an MPA from George Washington University.

Gary Merrick is a Director of Port Security for Unitech and is a retired Coast Guard officer. He has been a Planning Section Chief, Operations Section Chief and Incident Commander for oil spills, hazardous materials releases, security functions, and many other marine incidents. He has trained hundreds of responders from many state and federal agencies, and has served as a curriculum developer and instructor at the Coast Guard’s prestigious training center in Virginia. He is a graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy, and received his MA from George Washington University.