Incident Management Essentials: Command, Control, Coordination and the Importance of Communication

In this article, we explain the foundational components of Command, Control and Co-ordination, as well as highlighting the role and importance of Communication.

Evolving From C3 to C4

Incident and emergency response management applies to situations from natural, biological and chemical disasters to emergency recovery, fires and law enforcement operations or major incidents.  The concept of Command, Control & Coordination (C3) is a system that most agencies, businesses and companies use to guide them through emergency and critical situations.  Throughout the years, C3 has evolved and expanded to incorporate other concepts such as Command, Control, Coordination & Communication (C4), Incident Command Systems, emergency management and Incident Command Control Systems (ICCS).  However, each variation or development of C3 relies on a common set of principles that guide the responder through the pillars of C3.

One of these principles is communication.  Communication is the foundation to any incident response management system, from providing critical information to an initial incident response to briefing a response team or management team. The effectiveness of communication between key stakeholders will be pivotal in determining the success of the emergency operation.

Command, Control and Co-ordination (C3) is a fundamental element of incident management response. It is a core and vital principle taught to first responders, emergency workers, law enforcement and medical officers. The principles of C3 can be applied at all levels of emergency situations, and it is critical that they are applied through a consistent, systematic methodology. 

Command

Command is directing with authority, the employees and resources of an organisation in performing the required roles and tasks.  Command operates vertically within an organisation and embraces both leadership and management.

Control

Control relates to the overall direction of incident management activities.  Control carries the responsibility for tasking and co-ordinating other organisations or agencies (internal or external), depending on the circumstances and resource availability. Control operates horizontally when compared with command.

Co-ordination

Co-ordination is the bringing together and the management of resources (organisational, personnel and equipment) to ensure effective and successful incident management. It operates vertically within agencies as a function of command and horizontally across agencies as a function of control.

Principles of Incident Command, Control & Co-ordination

Principles of C3 incident management is often varied between agencies, companies or organisations, however, there are a common theme within principles of incident management:

Safety

Safety should be at the top of every agency or organisation’s priority list.  Safety functions to preserve life in any emergency situations or the management of incidents whereby involving the continuous assessment and control of risks and threats as circumstances change. Often seen as the protection and safety of human life for both the community and first responders involved.

Flexibility

Being agile, adapting and applying solutions in order to solve the challenges of the incident.  This involves understanding the dynamic nature of the incident, utlising various resources available and finding workable solutions to achieve incident outcomes.

Leadership

Leadership includes taking charge, being proactive and adapting to changing circumstances. Command decisions are often required in an environment of pressure, uncertainty and limited information.  Leadership requires a collaborative approach with other agencies as well as recognising the need to delegate functions, which is often necessary in order to resolve large-scale incidents.

Unified & Collaborative

Working together in unison to achieve a desired outcome.  This is done by having common objectives and having shared responsibility while having different functionalities and resources.  For instance, police working with state emergency personnel in evacuating members of the public from bush fires.  Working as a team to develop strong relationships.

Community

Understanding the impact of an emergency, the consequences of the impact and how we engage and acknowledge the community before during and after an incident is vital to building a workable incident management system.

Communication

Communication is often described as providing clear, concise and targeted information to an incident management situation.  Under the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) publication A Common Approach to Incident Management (ICCS Plus) 2022, “communication should be clear, timely and succinct”. 

It is the practical role of communication and how it encompasses C3 that is critical in incident response.  For instance, as a first responder, if you are unable to clearly communicate the incident details and what resources are required to the communications centre, then you may potentially have lost control of the incident and therefore unable to eliminate the risks or threats involved.

Case Study

Several years ago, an incident of a suspicious substance was reported by a foreign embassy in Australia. Uniform police were the first responders to the initial call from an embassy that reported of a "suspicious letter addressed to the embassy".  The police responders soon arrived and were approached by an embassy worker.  Unbeknownst to police, this was the same embassy worker who had opened the letter and made contact with the suspicious powder, thus resulting in the contamination of the police officers.  Due to a miscommunication between the embassy and the police, the responders were now potentially contaminated with a suspected biological hazard.

The situation had critical consequences. The first responders could no longer perform their C3 functions and police resources were reduced. Unfortunately, similar miscommunications were occurring at other embassies, potentially leading to similar outcomes. However, they were able to mitigate this by advising other patrol teams attending the other embassies with a clear message of a suspected biological hazard and not to approach but cordon and contain. This message was direct, simple, and succinctly outlined the situation and required actions, demonstrating the principles of Safety, Flexibility, Community, and Communication.

In Summary

Command, Control and Co-ordination forms the basis of incident management in emergency situations.  Throughout the years C3 has evolved to other types of principles .  These include (but not limited to) Safety, Flexibility, Leadership, Community, Collaboration and most importantly, Communication.  Communication encompasses C3 and all its principles within incident management.

Does your incident response or emergency management plan need an update? Reach out to Sahba Global to discuss how we can assist: team@sahbaglobal.com 

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