Why and how to implement an incident command system in business continuity management

Abstract

In a disaster, businesses face concurrent challenges of maintaining business continuity required to keep the business open, while reacting, responding and recovering from the chaos and impacts of the disaster. This article takes the reader through the conceptual and practical facets of the Incident Command System, the framework components, organisation structure, incident deployment methodology and common documentation. Each framework component is taken from its concept definition and drilled down into a description of high-level implementation. It is then sewn together to show how Incident Command interconnectivity and interoperability permits free-flowing communications between functions and empowers cooperative and collaborative relationships between layers and players. The author uses real-world experience and examples of disaster to transition Incident Command concepts to the practicality of implementation. In this way, the article demonstrates the importance of the Incident Command System in business continuity management.