Page Title
The Use of Incident Management in a Dreissenid Rapid Response
Introduction and Benefits
Incident Command

Over the past several decades, western states have collaborated, sought advice, and discussed management steps to address dreissenid mussel detections. Although all states and provinces may not hold the same management philosophies or react the same, over time there has been a refinement in how managing partners have responded to dreissenid detections. There has been considerable collaborative work to improve and harmonize boat inspection and decontamination stations, and early detection sampling efforts, methods, and protocols.
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In 2007, Columbia River Basin aquatic invasive species experts initiated a series of hands-on exercises that examined specific aspects of response to a dreissenid discovery. The first exercise helped determine strategies to address discoveries and laid the ground work for developing a response plan specific to dreissenids. In 2008, multiple stakeholders in the Columbia Basin identified the need for a guidance document that would assist and guide those that were faced with the discovery of dreissenid mussels. The ultimate outcome of this was the creation of the Columbia Basin Interagency Invasive Species Response Plan: Zebra Mussels and Other Dreissenid Species. Since the mid-2000s, numerous western states and provinces across several basins have conducted rapid response exercises, engaging diverse partners and testing specific aspects of jurisdictional authority and the practicality of response actions. The CRB framework has helped to inform the creation of individual state, provincial, and waterbody plans.
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The CRB plan was developed with the assistance of veteran emergency responders to wildland fire events who were fully trained in using incident command to deal with wildland fire events. Modeling the emergency framework from an existing system of incident command provided structure to a dreissenid emergency response. The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized management structure that provides hierarchy and can encompass multiple agencies to address the coordination of an emergency response. The guiding principles of incident command include flexibility (response components are adaptable and scalable), standardization (to enhance coordination and communication, and unity of effort (the coordination of activities to achieve common objectives).​​

Figure 1. The Planning P.
Benefits of using an Incident Management System for a dreissenid response:
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Facilitates the initial identification of the overall management authority for the incident
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Provides structure for communication, messaging, convening stakeholders, ensuring compliance and record keeping
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Creates a framework for establishing and updating situational awareness as the incident progresses
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Integrates authorities in areas with overlapping management structure
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Provides legitimacy for response actions
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Responsive to increasing or decreasing complexity based on incident variables
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Enhances efficiencies and leverages resources
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Provides focus for tactical implementation
ICS Forms
Numerous forms are available online via the Federal Emergency Management Institute (FEMA) to assist emergency response personnel in the use of the Incident Command System (ICS) and corresponding documentation during incident operations. The most commonly used FEMA ICS forms that would be used in an instance of a dreissenid response have been modified to more accurately reflect the activities that would occur in such a response. These forms are listed below, and include the corresponding FEMA ICS form number. ​
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The essential forms used in an Incident Management System response:​
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A – Incident Briefing [Objectives, Site Maps, Timeline, Situation Summary, Planned Actions, Organizational Chart, Resource Information] (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-201 form]
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A1 – Incident Status Report (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-209 form]
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B – Expanded Incident Organization Chart (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-201 and FEMA ICS-203 forms]
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C – Incident Action Critical Analysis [Potential options to implement actions in response to incident] (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-202 form]
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D – Operational Planning Worksheet [Personnel and resources needed to Achieve Action Team, Monitoring Team, and Containment Team Goals] (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-215 form]
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D1 – Personnel and Resources [Incident Resource Commitment Summary] (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-209 form]
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D2 – Equipment Inventory [track equipment used, borrowed, obtained for event] (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-218 form]
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E – Incident Communications List (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-205A form]
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F – Incident Radio Communications Plan (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-205 form]
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G – Incident Safety Hazards [identify hazards and actions to address hazards] (fillable .pdf) (.pdf) [corresponds to FEMA ICS-215A form]
