ICS has been used since the 1970's in the wildland firefighting community and in recent years, has been adopted by the structural firefighting community as well as other emergencyresponse agencies and organizations.

ICS is a management system that utilizes common terminology to more effectively and efficiently respond to all types and sizes of disasters and emergencies. It is particularly beneficial when different agencies and jurisdictions interact and respond to a common incident.

Accomplishments of the Steering Group include:

• Develop and distribute a "White Paper" titled "Integrating Emergency Management in Ohio."
• Formulate rules that will formalize the Steering Group and require all State agencies to use ICS.
• Conduct a one-day seminar with State agencies on Nov. 15, 1995.
• Develop a "Plan of Action" for State agencies.

It is not the intent of this brief introduction to ICS in Ohio to provide the reader with the information listed above. A copy of the "White Paper," rules, plan of action, etc., is available upon request. Please contact Nate Kirk, Division of Forestry, 614-265-6711 for more information.