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The U nited S tates' Experience with the Incident Command System: What We Think We Know and What We Need to Know More About
Author(s) -
Jensen Jessica,
Waugh William L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of contingencies and crisis management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.007
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1468-5973
pISSN - 0966-0879
DOI - 10.1111/1468-5973.12034
Subject(s) - state (computer science) , need to know , computer security , terrorism , operations research , incident response , engineering , computer science , law , political science , algorithm
In the wake of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, organizations involved in emergency management at the local, state and federal level were mandated to utilize the Incident Command System (ICS) to structure on‐scene response efforts. The system is currently relied upon as an organizing mechanism for response in the United States, and its widespread use outside of the United States is being advocated. Yet, there is little evidence that the system is consistently used as designed or a salve to common response problems. This paper reviews the evolution of ICS in practice and the available research on its use and effectiveness. The review makes clear that more research on the system is urgently needed.