Incident Command Center Training at TRECC
by Gail Tate

The Incident Command System (ICS) 300, a 3 day course, was held 4-6 February 2008. This course provides training on and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). The target audience includes all individuals who may assume a supervisory role in expanding incidents. This course expands upon information covered in ICS 100 and 200 courses, both prerequisites for ICS 300. The course also allows those identified personnel, including public health personnel, to comply with ICS level 300 training. This is a requirement for those jurisdictions that choose to comply with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to ensure they continue receiving their federal preparedness funding grants. The ICS 300 attendees are typically middle management who may be acting in the role of incident commander or section chief during an event. There were approximately 40 attendees to the session held at TRECC.

The following week, ICS 400 (14-15 February 2008) was conducted at TRECC, with approximately 40 attendees. The target audience for this course is senior personnel who are expected to perform in a management capacity in an Area Command or Multi-agency Coordination Entity. This course provides training on and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the Incident Command System (ICS). This course expands upon information covered in ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses. It also includes but is not limited to: major and/or complex incident/event management, area command, and multi-agency coordination. The 2 day course is designed to provide overall management skills rather than tactical expertise. These attendees typically serve as command or general staff in an ICS organization, select department heads with multi-agency coordination system responsibilities, area commanders, emergency managers, and multi-agency coordination system/emergency operations center managers.

Both sessions engaged the participants with real-life examples and the use of break out groups throughout the session to discuss scenarios and challenges. The attendees represented many cities throughout DuPage County.