The Incident Command System (ICS) is one of the key building blocks of the Incident Management System. ICS is a site-specific response system that was developed in the 1970s to manage the response to wildfires in California. It has been adopted by communities and organizations worldwide to manage incidents and planned events through the use of commonly used practices, structures and terms.

The Government of Ontario has ensured that IMS is interoperable with incident management systems in other provinces and territories in Canada. It also reflects needs specific to Ontario, including governance structures and legislative processes.

From officer safety, to training, to de-escalating situations and increasing police transparency, the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by police has a large number of advantages. However, not everyone agrees on how and when these BWCs should be used. When should these cameras be turned on – and when, if ever, is it appropriate to […]

Ontario Incident Management System (IMS) is designed to be a response system, but it can be used to manage all stages of an incident. It is created to give communities and organizations a common framework to communicate, coordinate and collaborate during an incident response.

Emergency Management Ontario works to keep people safe and secure by coordinating with other organizations to prepare for emergencies and respond to them, when they happen.

Complex incident: This type of incident involves many factors which cannot be easily analyzed and understood. They may be prolonged, large-scale and/or involve multiple jurisdictions.

IMS is an important element in building a comprehensive and effective emergency management program; one that includes IMS in its plans, procedures, training and exercises. IMS can help communities and organizations prepare for incidents and manage planned events.

Research is ongoing to provide comprehensive data regarding the full impact BWCs can have on a law enforcement agency and its officers. In the meantime, AI powered Argus Body Worn Camera technology from Kustom Signals offers a host of proven features and advantages for law enforcement, including:

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Across the spectrum of industries, the right tools are essential for getting the job done safely and correctly. The advancement of technology has helped create an expansion of these tools. Body worn cameras are a prime example—a tool law enforcement can use that offers multiple benefits.

The site-based guidance in IMS 2.0 is compatible with NIMS-ICS and the ICS taught by ICS-Canada. It is important to note that while there is a standardized structure with commonly used practices, structures and terms, there are several interoperable variations of ICS (with no single official ICS).

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Communities and organizations can also use IMS to build their own standard operating procedures that reflect responsibilities, resources and legislative requirements that are specific to that community or organization.

As vehicle technologies change and advance, it is important that RADAR and other law enforcement equipment that is used in conjunction with police vehicles adapt. Changes in new vehicle connectivity have made this advancement in RADAR technology extremely important. Kustom Signals is a leading innovator in law enforcement tools and at the industry’s forefront with […]

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Incident: An occurrence or event that requires a coordinated response by emergency services or other responders to protect people, property and the environment.

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“Research on police body worn cameras emphasizes deterrence as the primary mechanism linking camera use to a variety of outcomes. A deterrence perspective suggests that body worn cameras would discourage both officers and citizens from engaging in inappropriate or illegal behavior because it may be captured on a video camera.”

Body worn cameras (BWCs) have rapidly become the new norm for law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. As a law enforcement tool, BWCs have been utilized in the field since 2005, originating in the United Kingdom. American law agencies began incorporating body-worn cameras about ten years later.

Function: A function is a set of related tasks and responsibilities. Incident management is divided into six main functions: coordination and command, operations, planning, logistics, finance and administration and public information management. In some incidents, additional functions may need to be carried out. This can include intelligence, investigations, scientific/technical, emergency social services and continuity of operations. Other functions may need to be considered depending on the size and nature of an incident.

In a study profile posted by the National Institute of Justice, in November 2022, on the effects of body worn cameras on civilian fatality rates, the data supports the theory that BWCs help decrease fatalities. It states:

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We know that countless hours and personnel time can be lost to outdated facial redaction processes. The advanced technology of Argus gives you one-touch facial redaction so evidence can be processed expediently without sacrificing critical time on manual video file processing. It’s designed for easy retrieval of important footage needed for ongoing investigations, court proceedings, internal reviews, training sessions, and more.

The studies found that law enforcement agencies using BWCs had a statistically significant difference/decrease in “fatal citizen encounters” in the three-year time span from acquisition to post-acquisition/active use.

Site: The location where an incident is or has happened (e.g. the scene of a high-rise fire or motor vehicle accident). Some incidents, such as ice storms, do not have one single, defined site.

All incident responders should document their actions taken throughout an incident by filling out standardized IMS forms. Documentation ensures that actions throughout an incident are captured and can be accounted for if asked to provide reasoning.

When body worn cameras are in use, there is the potential for a reduction in officer injuries and fatalities. On average, civilians tend to pull back and exhibit less aggressive behavior when interacting with officers wearing body cameras. Deescalating dangerous situations helps keep both officers and civilians from harm.

IMS provides the foundation to establish a common incident management structure. It is important to note that not every section in an incident management structure is needed for every incident. This may happen for several reasons as discussed in Section 5 – Response escalation guidelines.

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The Ontario Incident Management System (IMS) was first developed in 2008 to provide a standardized approach to incident management. It was based on and aligned with the United States National Incident Management System (NIMS). IMS is in line with a global shift in incident response to develop ways to help communities and organizations work together more effectively and efficiently during an incident.

At some point during a commute or road trip, every driver has seen some type of variable message sign above or along the side of the roadways. Variable message signs (VMS) are digital road signs that use LED lights that display a variety of changing messages to commuters. While they are sometimes attached to a […]

The second version of the Incident Management System (also known as IMS 2.0) builds upon and replaces the first version, Incident Management System Doctrine for Ontario. IMS 2.0 has addressed several recommendations from The Elliot Lake Inquiry to “put in place strategies that will increase the acceptance and actual use of the Incident Management System (IMS) – including simplifying its language…”footnote 2[2] It also reflects updates to NIMS, global best practices and lessons learned by Ontario’s emergency response community. A list of references used to develop IMS 2.0 can be found in Appendix C – References.

Body worn cameras, even the most basic models, provide time-stamped audio and video footage. Innovative technology utilized in BWCs like our Argus Body Worn Camera makes it much easier to provide tangible evidence faster and more efficiently.

Given that, by 2035, there are expected to be 4.5 million self-driving cars moving around US streets,they will have a tremendous impact on police forces.

Incident action plan (IAP): A verbal or written plan which describes how an incident will be managed. It includes incident objectives, strategies and tactics. In a simple incident, objectives, strategies and tactics may be determined by the incident commander or EOC director. In a complex incident, a network of organizations may work together to determine objectives, strategies and tactics. The written IAP is coordinated by the planning section and explains how incident responders will work together and utilize resources to achieve the response objectives.

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Emergency operations centre (EOC): An EOC is a designated location where personnel representing communities and organizations come together to support site response efforts. Activities in an EOC include managing and providing information and resources, long-term planning and other forms of coordination. In some non-site-based incidents such as widespread flooding, an EOC may coordinate and command direct response efforts.

The BWC will trigger its recording feature when it detects a gunshot, a hard fall, running, and other situations. The AI has been trained to send life-saving alerts back to the base administrative team, allowing them to:

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It is important to note that ICS is site-specific; therefore, it was not designed for EOCs, non-site-specific responses or to meet the demands of a complex long-term health emergency.footnote 3[3] In contrast, Ontario’s IMS is designed to meet the needs of all levels of response, ranging from the site(s) to EOCs to the complex network coordination within the health care sector. Ontario’s IMS also reflects best practices worldwide.

De-escalation is not a new concept (one could argue Sun Tzu was one of its first proponents as he could solve conflicts without the need for fighting). Still, it’s a popular concept due to incidents that sparked public discomfort. It’s not unusual to hear things such as “Why didn’t the officer de-escalate the situation?”. This […]

An incident is an occurrence or event that requires a coordinated response by emergency services or other responders to protect people, property and the environment. Whether an incident is small or large, IMS can help communities and organizations work together more effectively and efficiently.

Police biometrics is going through a rapid evolution of technology development, led by organizations such as the FBI who are making useful systems available to local law enforcement agencies.

All responders involved in an incident should carry out their duties with diligence and respect for those affected by the incident and for the community at large. Governments and organizations also have legal obligations to the people they serve.

At Kustom Signals, we are committed to providing tools that not only help make an officer’s job easier but equipment that works to keep law enforcement professionals safe. Our Argus Body Worn Camera features advanced AI technology that triggers recording based on real-time events and even officer movement.

Every day, communities and organizations in Ontario work together to respond to incidents and to plan events. Their success depends on the ability to communicate, coordinate and collaborate with one another.

Several key terms used throughout the document are listed and defined below. A complete list of terms and definitions can be found in Appendix A – IMS glossary and definitions.

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IMS ensures accountability by defining clear roles and responsibilities. Incident responders involved in the coordination and command function are responsible for tracking:

IMS can be used at the site of an incident, for a planned event, in an emergency operations centre (EOC) or a designated location (for non-site-based incidents) where incident coordination and support take place. IMS is flexible and can be used in both small and large incidents.

Responder: Any person who is involved in responding to an incident. They range from first responders from paramedic, police and fire services to personnel from public works, regional conservation authorities and those in an EOC. Personnel from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector may also be involved in an incident response.