Defining incidents results in a more standardized characterization of incidents and supports better decision making.  For example, incident typing helps in making decisions about resource requirements and communication levels.  Ecology’s incident types are based on the following six levels of complexity.  These types are derived from and compatible with FEMA Incident Types.

Criteria for incident types carry to the next type.  As a result all activities included in a Type 6 are also relevant for a Type 5, etc.

 

Type 6 (Minor Incident)

• A minor incident in which the Responsible Party (RP) and/or local first responders manage the response.

• The quantity of material/substance released is small and/or contained quickly.

• Human health and environmental impacts are negligible.

• Ecology is notified and performs phone consultation/technical assistance and documents the incident and response actions in ERTS.

• Examples include minor vehicle accidents, dissipating mystery oil sheens, transformer spills to soil and neighbor complaints.

Type 5 (Short Duration)

• Some Command and General Staff positions (other than the Incident Commander) may be activated.

• An ICS Form 201 may be completed with a briefing conducted for all incoming resources.

• The incident is contained within the first operational period and often within an hour to a few hours after resources arrive on scene.

• Examples include a meth lab cleanup, a truck accident or a simple sunken vessel with very little fuel on board.

Type 4 (More staff than an Incident Type 5 and still short duration)

• Command staff and general staff functions are activated as needed.

• The incident is usually limited to one operational period in the emergency phase.

• The Regional Supervisor or Response Section Manager may be notified.

• An ICS Form 201 is required and a briefing will be completed for all incoming resources.

• The role of the SOSC includes establishing objectives, priorities and operational periods as needed.

• Examples include: interagency coordination, resources contracted/called out, spill of more than 25 gallons to water, more complex sunken vessel incidents, USCG Captain of the Port order for non-spill incident.

Type 3 (Significant incident with numerous resources deployed and lots of    impacts may transition to a Type 2)

• CMT is activated and IMT positions are required.

• Some or all of the Command and General Staff positions are activated, as well as Division/Group Supervisor and/or Unit Leader level positions.

• A non-spill significant threat that is being monitored and the CMT is activated but no UC has been established.

• The incident may extend into multiple operational periods and Ecology’s mobile command post may be deployed.

• An ICS 201 briefing form and a written IAP will be required for each operational period.

• Examples: Spill and HazMat incidents that last more than one day, significant vessel spill threat incidents and response tug activation for disabled vessels, train derailments with potential spill, tanker truck fires and releases to water bodies.

Type 2 (Large/Major incident of long duration, assistance from other agencies required)

• CMT and IMT activated and numerous positions need to be filled.

• Unified Command is established at an appropriate command post.

• Other Incident Management Teams may be activated- Industry, Federal, Local.

• This type of incident is expected to go into multiple operational periods.

• Significant product spilled and numerous sensitive sites threatened.

• May require cascading of resources from other states.

• Most or all of the Command and General Staff positions are filled.

• A written IAP is required for each operational period.

• Area Command may be established.

• Examples: Orphan spill to marine waters with significant impacts, heavy oil spills in marine waters, spill and HazMat incidents that last more than one day, HazMat incidents associated with natural disasters, spills to water from pipeline or regulated facility with significant impacts to the environment.

Type 1 (Spill of National Significance)

• CMT and IMT activated and most positions are filled.

• This type of incident is the most complex requiring national resources to safely and effectively manage.

• All Command and General Staff positions are activated.

• The Governor’s Office and all high level Federal agency officials will be involved

• Area Command will be established.

• The NIC may be established.

• The Agency Administrator will be actively involved with the State and Federal Officials.

• Examples: any Spill of National Significance (SONS) - Deepwater Horizon.

---