Incident Response and Management System (BIT485CO)
Incident command systems (NEOC/DEOC), early warning alert systems, multi-agency response, disaster recovery portals, and cyber threats to critical infrastructure.
Unit 1: Introduction to Incident Response System5 hrs
- Introduction to Incident Response Systems and Incident Command System (ICS) origins
- Incident Response System (IRS) terminology, principles, and characteristics
- Organization of National Emergency Operation Centers (NEOC), Provincial Emergency Operation Centers (PEOC), and District Emergency Operation Centers (DEOC) in Nepal
Unit 2: Functioning of Incident Response System6 hrs
- Chain of command and unity of command principles
- Unified Command across multi-agency disaster operations
- Management by objectives and operational period planning
- Incident action planning (IAP) process and documentation
- Span of control management and resource typing
Unit 3: Resources and Infrastructure Management6 hrs
- Resource management: ordering, mobilizing, tracking, and demobilizing physical and human resources
- Incident facility setup: Incident Command Post (ICP), Staging Areas, Bases, Camps, and Helispots
- Interoperable communications: frequency coordination, communication plans, and public safety radio networks
Unit 4: Incident Decision System and Reporting6 hrs
- Incident assessment, situation awareness, and decision support tools
- Early Warning Systems (EWS) integration and siren/broadcast network triggers
- Multi-agency coordination systems (MACS) and Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)
- Public information officer (PIO) role, media briefings, and rumor control during emergencies
Unit 5: Disaster Recovery Portals & Information Systems6 hrs
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) portals and emergency information repositories in Nepal (Bipad Portal, Sahana)
- Real-time sensor data feeds: hydrological river gauges, seismological alerts, weather radar
- Crowdsourcing and volunteer-generated data in disaster response
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for real-time situational mapping
Unit 6: Phases of Disaster Management8 hrs
- Disaster management cycle: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
- Mitigation strategies: structural and non-structural interventions
- Preparedness planning: standard operating procedures (SOPs), simulations, and drills
- Emergency search, rescue, triage, and relief distribution operations
- Post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA), build-back-better recovery, and critical infrastructure rehabilitation
Unit 7: Cyber Threats and Disaster Management8 hrs
- Critical information infrastructure (CII) protection during national crises
- Cyberattacks targeting emergency services, hospitals, power grids, and telecommunication switches
- Disaster recovery sites for emergency operation centers and communication redundancy
- Combating fake news, misinformation, and panic on social media during disaster situations
Reference books
- Faggiano, Vincent, John McNall, and Thomas T. Gillespie, Critical Incident Management: A Complete Response Guide (2nd ed.), CRC Press, New York.
- Molino, Louis N. Sr., Emergency Incident Management Systems: Fundamentals and Applications, John Wiley & Sons.
- Schnepp, Rob, Ron Vidal, and Chris Hawley, Incident Management for Operations, O'Reilly Media.
- Rothstein, Philip Jan, Disaster Recovery Handbook, Amacom, New York.
- Government of Nepal, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) Standard Operating Procedures.