Introduction to the Incident Command System

About the Course

Crisis Management Team (CMT) and Emergency Response Team (ERT) Leaders need access to the right information at the right time and level of detail to make the right decisions. The value of good crisis leadership has been proven over the past years. It is accepted that the increasing range of potential incidents and emergencies which could affect business, disrupt production and affect global reputation are becoming increasingly complicated.

This intensive 5-day Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) training course will impart to the delegates that strategic crisis management is the identification, selection and implementation of the organisation's goals and objectives and how to utilise authentic Leadership qualities that will be able to deliver excellent outcomes so successfully dealing with any Crisis. It will provide professionals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to manage and lead teams and organisations before, during, and after a crisis or emergency.

It is important to understand that situational awareness in crisis situations — being aware of one's surroundings and identifying potential threats and dangerous situations — is more of a mindset than a complex skill. Because of this, situational awareness is something that should be practised by not only highly-trained government agents or specialised security teams but by all professionals involved with crisis management.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Acquire an in-depth knowledge of strategic crisis management
• Develop strategies so you and your team respond efficiently and effectively
• Analyse five deadly leadership behaviours and six winning strategies in a crisis
• Implement the five major functional areas of Incident Command Systems
• Plan for more beneficially rewarding multi-agency exercises
• Effectively use advanced techniques that will improve leadership performance at that critical time
• Understand individual and collective psychology and organisational dynamics in crises and emergencies
• Analyse and make rational decisions before, during and after crises and emergencies
• Lead teams and organisations in crises and emergencies
• Solve problems and manage crises and emergencies

Training Approach

Delegates will learn by active participation through inspiring presentation tools and interactive techniques in a lively, enthusiastic and exciting style. Delegates will participate in practical exercises, case studies, and an EMS step-by-step practical workshop. 

This dynamic training course will utilise various proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. 

This fully participative and enjoyable event will enhance your leadership capabilities through assessments, syndicate role-playing, group discussions, crisis communication skills and team problem-solving challenges. It includes exercises, checklists, formats, and templates will be included and will be of use to you and your team on your return to your office.

The Attendees

Anyone responsible for leading or implementing Crisis Management, Emergency Response and Business Continuity/Recovery mechanisms.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following:

• Fire Management Professionals
• Security Management Professionals
• Policing and Military Professionals
• Health, Safety, and Environment personnel
• Operation, Asset, and Facility Professionals
• Risk, Marketing and Insurance Professionals
• Designated Incident, Emergency, and Crisis Response Professionals
• Line Managers & Supervisors, and other Professionals wishing to appraise their comprehension of Emergency Response
• Professionals who have been allocated crisis management tasks yet have had insufficient time to devote to the subject

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: EVALUATE, MITIGATE, AND RESPONDING TO CHALLENGES

• Understanding Strategic Crisis Management
• Complete Range of Risks to Your Organisation
• CMT and ERT: Roles & Responsibilities
• Issues Management: Master this Before it Becomes a Crisis
• Who else inside and outside the organisation should be involved?
• Five Deadly Leadership Behaviours & Six Winning Strategies
• Understanding 'Denial-curve' and 'Group-think' Syndromes

DAY TWO: PLANNING & SECURITY – WHO AND WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED

• Security Management & Asset Protection
• Why do some companies fail, and others survive?
• On the Previous Module: Self-Evaluation Questionnaire
• Developing, Improving & Implementing Emergency Response Plans
• Business Continuity Management (BCM) Strategies

DAY THREE: CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS & INCIDENT ON-SCENE MANAGEMENT

• Incident Command Systems (ICS)
• Emergency Communication Centres: Avoiding the Ten Most Common Mistakes
• Reputation Management: Managing Social Media
• Command and Control Issues: Operational, Tactical, and Strategic
• On Scene Crisis Management: Essential Elements for Success 
• Developing and Implementing Emergency Plans
• Crisis Management and Communications: Emergency Centre(s)
• Developing and Implementing a Business Continuity Management (BCM) Strategy

DAY FOUR: CREATING A CRISIS OR INCIDENT PLAN

• What is Crisis Management?
• Why do you need a plan, and what should be in it?
• The Planning Process & Vulnerability Audit
• Alerting Procedures
• Response Structures: A look at putting together the necessary systems, teams, and facilities to meet the threat
• The 20 Most Common Mistakes in Crisis Management: Why do you need a plan?

DAY FIVE: CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN TESTING, TRAINING, AND EXERCISING

• Different Root Cause: Are we learning?
• A Programme of Learning and Validating Plans and Procedures
• How to get advantageous results from an exercise?
• Post Incident Evaluations, De-briefing Skills, Managing Hot & Cold De-briefs
• Critique Report Writing, Executive Summaries, and Key Recommendations
• Closing the Loop: Implementing Recommendations and Continuing the Process