Leading the Crisis Management Team, the Incident Commander takes action when a workplace incident’s scale or impact escalates beyond the Emergency Response Team’s (ERT) capacity, affecting the surrounding communities and requiring liaison with external emergency services. The Incident Commander is important in ensuring this large-scale incident is successfully contained and managed through their roles and responsibilities in crisis management.
1. Assume Command
The Incident Commander must take charge of the situation by clearly identifying themselves as the Incident Commander to establish authority and signal to all involved parties to follow their leadership for a centralized and organized emergency response action. Assuming command is the first step crucial in preventing chaos and setting the stage for a successful resolution of the incident.
2. Assess The Situation
The Incident Commander must quickly evaluate the nature and severity of the emergency to understand the scope of the incident and its potential impact before subsequent actions can be taken. This assessment identifies immediate threats, potential hazards, and risks hindering response efforts so that prioritization and the best informed decisions can be made.
3. Develop And Implement An Action Plan
The Incident Commander should set clear, actionable objectives to guide the direction of emergency response. Once the objectives are established, an action plan is developed to achieve these objectives. A well-structured action plan provides clarity to ensure that all parties, from the Crisis Management Team to the On Scene Commander and ERTs, work together to manage the incident cohesively to achieve the objectives.
4. Ensure Communication And Coordination
As the leader who commands the entire incident management, the Incident Commander must maintain clear and continuous communication with all parties, including ERTs, employees, and external agencies, to ensure a unified response towards the same goal. This involves relaying critical information to senior management and emergency services to keep them informed and aligned. Effective communication is key to coordinating actions, preventing misunderstandings, and ensuring the safety of all personnel. The Incident Commander utilizes available communication tools, such as PA systems, radios, alarms, and other technologies, to facilitate real-time information exchange and ensure that instructions are clearly understood and followed.
5. Assign And Supervise Response Teams
The Incident Commander is responsible for delegating clear responsibilities to the responders based on the Crisis Management Team and ERT organizational charts. Each team is assigned tasks based on their expertise and the action plan. The Incident Commander also monitors the progress of the response efforts, staying informed on the status of each team and making real-time adjustments as necessary to address evolving challenges or new information. Effective supervision ensures that the response remains efficient and adaptable to the changing circumstances of the incident.
6. Request External Assistance If Needed
When the scale of the incident exceeds the capacity of internal teams, the Incident Commander must reach out to external emergency services, such as the fire department, police, medical personnel, or other specialized responders, for professional help. It is critical to provide them with accurate and detailed information about the nature of the incident, its current status, and any immediate hazards or risks. Upon their arrival, the Incident Commander coordinates with these external responders to ensure a seamless integration of resources and efforts, aligning their actions with the overall action plan to maintain efficiency and safety.
7. Ensure Personnel Safety And Evacuation
The Incident Commander must prioritize the safety of all personnel during the crisis. If necessary, they will order an evacuation or shelter-in-place to minimize exposure to danger. Ensuring that all employees and visitors are accounted for is a critical responsibility, as it helps prevent confusion and ensures no one is left behind. Additionally, the Incident Commander oversees the provision of first aid and medical assistance for any injured individuals, coordinating with medical personnel to ensure timely and effective care is provided.
8. Document Actions And Conduct Post-Incident Review
After the incident is resolved, the Incident Commander is responsible for thoroughly documenting all actions taken during the emergency and the response efforts. This includes recording key decisions, resource usage, and the effectiveness of the response. The Incident Commander participates in debriefings and investigations to assess the overall handling of the situation. This process helps identify lessons learned and areas for improvement, enabling the development of recommendations to enhance future emergency responses and ensure better preparedness for similar incidents.
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Not all workplaces require an Incident Commander. However, suppose an Incident Commander is indeed needed after assessing the workplace needs. In that case, it is important to develop clear Job Performance Requirements (JPRs) so that proper training can be provided to ensure the appointed individual can effectively fulfill the role in leading the response during a crisis. This proactive approach helps ensure that, if the need arises, the Incident Commander is well-equipped to manage the situation and protect the safety of everyone involved.
