Depending on the incident size and complexity, various types of support facilities are typically established by the Logistics function within an Incident Command System (ICS), under the direction of Incident Command.

Quick Scoop

What the phrase is about

When you see the phrase “depending on the incident size and complexity, various types of support…” in emergency management or incident response, it usually refers to how the ICS sets up extra facilities and services (staging areas, camps, base, etc.) as an incident grows or becomes more complex.

These facilities are not fixed; they scale up or down based on what the incident commander and team decide is necessary to meet operational objectives.

Who establishes these support facilities

Within ICS and NIMS-based guidance, support facilities are said to be established by Incident Command , while the Logistics Section is the part of the organization that actually provides and maintains the facilities, resources, and services.

ICS reference material describes “Incident Facilities and Locations” as a management characteristic and notes that, depending on incident size/complexity, designated support facilities may be established by the incident command structure.

Key ICS roles in this context

  • Incident Command / Incident Commander :
    Sets objectives, strategies, and priorities and directs the establishment of facilities appropriate for the incident.
  • Logistics Section :
    Provides resources, services, and facilities (food, communications, medical support for responders, supply, etc.), and is commonly identified as the section that establishes and supports incident facilities in practice.
  • Planning Section :
    Tracks resources and incident status and supports incident action planning, but does not normally “establish” support facilities.
  • Operations Section :
    Carries out tactical work at the incident sites but usually relies on the logistics function for facilities and support.

Typical support facilities (scaled by size/complexity)

As incidents grow, command may add more facilities to maintain control and support responders. Common examples include:

  • Incident Command Post (ICP) for overall command and control.
  • Staging Areas where resources wait for assignments.
  • Base and Camps to provide food, rest, and support for personnel when incidents last longer or cover larger areas.
  • Helibase and Helispots when aircraft operations are needed.

All of these are established as needed depending on how big, long-lasting, or complicated the incident becomes, not by a fixed template.

Short forum-style takeaway

In ICS/NIMS language, that phrase “depending on the incident size and complexity, various types of support facilities may be established…” is pointing you toward Incident Command as the authority, and Logistics as the section that actually sets up and runs those facilities.

TL;DR: In ICS/NIMS, as incidents get larger or more complex, different support facilities (staging areas, base, camps, etc.) are created by Incident Command, with the Logistics Section responsible for providing and managing those facilities.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.