The Incident Command System (ICS) starts with which event?

The Incident Command System (ICS) is structured to provide a standard command and control framework for emergency response. The correct starting point for ICS is marked by the initial actions taken when the first Fire Department Company arrives at the incident scene. This arrival signifies the beginning of the coordinated response where personnel start assessing the situation, establishing command, and implementing operational plans to manage the incident efficiently.

While the initial 911 call reports the emergency and is critical in alerting responders, the actual activation of ICS as a structured response framework occurs once the first on-scene units begin their operations. This includes establishing command, which is key to effective incident management.

Involvement of the first District Chief or conducting a scene assessment follows the arrival of the first company. The actual operations and command structure kick off with that first unit's presence on the scene, making it a pivotal moment in the ICS process.