ABSTRACT
The ICS is designed to allow for multiple agency participation, including industrial, federal, state, and local emergency agencies. ICS terminology is therefore designed for acceptance and implementation by all levels of industry and government. Because the ICS is a basic everyday operating system for all incidents, transition of the system to large operations requires a minimum of adjustment. For example, the ICS initially bestows management of all major incident functions on one or a few persons; as the incident grows in size and/or complexity, management of all activities can be assigned to additional individu-
als to maintain the appropriate level of control and efficiency. The basic organizational structure is applicable to small incidents, hazardous materials spills, major industrial fire incidents, and incidents not directly involving fires and spills, such as hurricanes, floods, rescues, or terrorist events. The organizational structure of the system is able to adapt to any incident to which personnel would be expected to respond.
