A number of my articles have mentioned the unpredictable human factor in executing emergency plans and managing incidents, particularly for complex incidents. We can build great plans and have a great management system to facilitate the incident management process, but the human factor – that largely intangible level of unpredictability of human behavior – can … Continue reading ICS and the Human Factor
Most often when we consider the Incident Command System (ICS), we think of boxes in an organization chart, forms to be completed, and specific processes to be followed. True, these are, in essence, aspects of ICS, but they alone will not pave the way to success. What we must remember is that ICS is conducted … Continue reading The Human Aspect of ICS and Overcoming Transitional Incidents
The Incident Command System (ICS) provides an important foundation to incident management. ICS grounds us in standards, providing structure and processes which help mitigate against the fact that all incidents themselves are unique. While ICS may not be perfect, and I have been and continue to be highly critical of ICS training, the Incident Command … Continue reading Incident Management – Beyond ICS
With a busy month of travel and project work, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve had much opportunity to write. While there are always a great number of topics to write about, I find myself regularly drawn to certain focus areas, such as NIMS or exercises, since these topics are regularly the emphasis of … Continue reading The Inability to Apply NIMS is a Human One
I find it interesting that a topic so seemingly mundane – that of the incident command system (ICS) has seen an increase of discussion lately. The NIMS Refresh seems to have fueled some of that, but other writings and conversations have also been taking place. While I’ve certainly been critical of the national ICS training … Continue reading ICS: Let’s Keep Talking
I love technology. I really do. I generally don’t have any problems with the accomplishments or advancements we’ve made and I’m not looking to abolish any of the triumphs or practices we have in place as a result of technology, but there are some things we have to step back on a bit. One of … Continue reading Let’s Bring Human Interaction Back Into Training
Through the years I’ve had numerous conversations with states, cities, and others about organizing their emergency operations plans (EOPs) around Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). In every conversation I’ve suggested against the use of ESFs. Why? Let’s start with definitions. One definition of ESFs provided by FEMA states that ESFs ‘describe federal coordinating structures that group … Continue reading ESFs Aren’t for Everyone
It’s frustrating to see poor incident management practices. For years I’ve reviewed plans that have wild org charts supposedly based on the Incident Command System (ICS); have conducted advanced-level training with seasoned professionals that still don’t grasp the basic concepts; have conducted and evaluated exercises and participated in incident responses in which people clearly don’t … Continue reading Incident Management Advisors
Over the weekend I posted a question on Twitter that prompted a fair amount of discussion with my EM colleagues. What I asked: Does simply working in emergency management make you an emergency manager? (Even with my ego) it took several years of working in the field before I was comfortable calling myself an emergency … Continue reading What Makes an Emergency Manager?
Some of you are probably familiar with the concept of the Universal Adversary (UA). From previous Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) doctrine, UA is “a fictionalized adversary created by compiling known terrorist modifications, doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures in live, virtual, and constructive simulations. The UA is based on real realistic threats … … Continue reading The Universal Adversary Mindset
The Contrarian Emergency Manager 