Emergency operations incident command kit and method of use

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a system for preparing and dealing with emergency or crisis situations. In particular, the present invention comprises a comprehensive kit that provides leaders with the equipment, instructions, records and communication templates needed to guide an organization through a crisis or disaster. The kit is comprised of various electronic and communication equipment housed in protective custom foam packing as well as office supplies and a full set of intellectual management tools combining essential elements of the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System to enable interoperability with arriving first responders and other local, state, or federal resources. The kit is stored and contained within a durable, mobile, water-resistant, impact-resistant, protective enclosure.

1 . An incident command kit, comprising:
 intellectual management tools, said intellectual management tools selected from the group consisting of computer software applications and physical documents, said intellectual management tools being configured to facilitate the understanding and use of the Incident Command System in responding to an emergency incident;   office supplies;   incident response equipment, said incident response equipment comprising electronic equipment and communication equipment;   a foam storage member, said foam storage member being custom configured to secure and protect said electronic and said communication equipment; and   a protective enclosure member, said protective enclosure being configured for containment of said intellectual management tools, said office supplies, said incident response equipment, and said foam storage member, said protective enclosure member being reversibly sealable, said protective enclosure member being configured for a watertight seal.   
   
   
       2 . The incident command kit of  claim 1  wherein said protective enclosure member has an extendable handle. 
   
   
       3 . The incident command kit of  claim 2  wherein said protective enclosure member has wheels. 
   
   
       4 . The incident command kit of  claim 3  wherein said protective enclosure member is comprised of fire resistant material. 
   
   
       5 . The incident command kit of  claim 4  wherein said protective enclosure member is comprised of chemical resistant material. 
   
   
       6 . The incident command kit of  claim 5  wherein said protective enclosure member has a pressure equalization valve to equalize the pressure differential between said enclosure member and the ambient, said pressure equalization valve having a membrane to repel water, dust and dirt. 
   
   
       7 . The incident command kit of  claim 5  wherein said foam storage member material is selected from a group consisting of polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, and cross-link foam. 
   
   
       8 . The incident command kit of  claim 7  wherein said incident response equipment is further comprised of a plurality of hooded rain ponchos and a plurality of lightweight, color coded vests. 
   
   
       9 . The incident command kit of  claim 8  wherein said color coded vests each contain a transparent pocket feature on the front and back side of said vest, wherein each pocket feature contains a tag having a front side and a back side, said tag bearing printed material identifying an Incident Team Member role on said front side, said tag bearing printed material listing the corresponding responsibilities of said team member on said back side. 
   
   
       10 . The incident command kit of  claim 9  wherein said electronic equipment is comprised of one or more items selected from the group consisting of a notebook computer, a weather radio, a 6-in-1 personal safety device, a portable printer, a power inverter, a hand-cranked flashlight, a battery powered flashlight, and a digital camera. 
   
   
       11 . The incident command kit of  claim 10  wherein said communication equipment includes a two-way radio. 
   
   
       12 . The incident command kit of  claim 11  further comprising a task board, said task board having a front side and a back side, said task board having a hard protective coating on said back side, said task board having a dry-erase surface on said front side, said task board configured for placement on top of said electronic and said communication equipment for protection thereof, said task board having an aperture for aiding in removal thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The incident command kit of  claim 12  wherein said office supplies are comprised of one or more items selected from the group consisting of a clip board, a dry erase board, a marker, a file folder, a portable file folder holder, a writing utensil, a note card, a roll of tape, a pair of scissors, and a whistle. 
   
   
       14 . The incident command kit of  claim 13  wherein said computer software application is comprised of one or more of the group consisting of an incident briefing form, an incident objective form, an emergency contact form, a staff sign-in and sign-out log, a volunteer sign-in and sign-out log, an emergency communication plan, and a map. 
   
   
       15 . The incident command kit of  claim 14  wherein said physical documents are comprised of one or more of the group consisting of an incident briefing form, an incident objective form, an emergency contact form, a staff sign-in and sign-out log, a volunteer sign-in and sign-out log, an emergency communication plan, and a map. 
   
   
       16 . A method for implementing an emergency incident response, comprising:
 selecting an incident command kit, comprising:
 intellectual management tools, said intellectual management tools selected from the group consisting of computer software applications and physical documents, said intellectual management tools being configured to facilitate the understanding and use of the Incident Command System in responding to an emergency incident, said computer software application is comprised of one or more of the group consisting of an incident briefing form, an incident objective form, an emergency contact form, a staff sign-in and sign-out log, a volunteer sign-in and sign-out log, an emergency communication plan, and a map, said physical documents are comprised of one or more of the group consisting of an incident briefing form, an incident objective form, an emergency contact form, a staff sign-in and sign-out log, a volunteer sign-in and sign-out log, an emergency communication plan, and a map; 
 office supplies, said office supplies are comprised of one or more items selected from the group consisting of a clip board, a dry erase board, a marker, a file folder, a portable file folder holder, a writing utensil, a note card, a roll of tape, a pair of scissors, and a whistle; 
 incident response equipment, said incident response equipment comprising electronic equipment and communication equipment, said communication equipment including a two-way radio; 
 a task board, said task board having a front side and a back side, said task board having a hard protective coating on said back side, said task board having a dry-erase surface on said front side, said task board configured for placement on top of said electronic and said communication equipment for protection thereof, said task board having an aperture for aiding in removal thereof; 
 a foam storage member, said foam storage member being custom configured to secure and protect said electronic and said communication equipment; and 
 a protective enclosure member, said protective enclosure being configured for containment of said intellectual management tools, said office supplies, said incident response equipment, and said foam storage member, said protective enclosure member being reversibly sealable, said protective enclosure member being configured for a watertight seal, said protective enclosure member having an extendable handle and wheels, said protective enclosure member being comprised of fire resistant and chemical resistant material; 
   transporting said kit to a remote, off-sight location;   using the contents of said kit to assemble an Incident Command Team;   using the contents of said kit to communicate with said Incident Command Team;   using the contents of said kit to manage, record and report on all phases of an incident response in a format compatible with the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said protective enclosure member has a pressure equalization valve to equalize the pressure differential between said enclosure member and the ambient, said pressure equalization valve having a membrane to repel water, dust and dirt. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said foam storage member material is selected from a group consisting of polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, and cross-link foam. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said incident response equipment is further comprised of a plurality of hooded rain ponchos and a plurality of lightweight, color coded vests, said color coded vests each containing a transparent pocket feature on the front and back side of said vest, wherein each pocket feature contains a tag having a front side and a back side, said tag bearing printed material identifying an Incident Team Member role on said front side, said tag bearing printed material listing the corresponding responsibilities of said team member on said back side. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said electronic equipment is comprised of one or more items selected from the group consisting of a notebook computer, a weather radio, a 6-in-1 personal safety device, a portable printer, a power inverter, a battery powered flashlight, a hand-crank flashlight, and a digital camera.