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Learn what span of control means in the Incident Command System (ICS) and how to apply it effectively. Span of control is the number of subordinates one supervisor can manage during an incident, and it varies depending on the type, task, and hazards of the incident.
- NIMS Management: Manageable Span of Control - FEMA
NIMS Management: Manageable Span of Control. The optimal...
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) 2017 Learning Materials - FEMA
Manageable Span of Control. NIMS 2008 states that “in ICS,...
- NIMS Management: Manageable Span of Control - FEMA
Span of control refers to the number of subordinates that directly report to a supervisor. Maintaining an appropriate span of control ensures effective incident management by enabling supervisors to: Direct and supervise subordinates. Communicate with and manage resources.
NIMS Management: Manageable Span of Control. The optimal span of control for incident management is one supervisor to five subordinates; however, effective incident management frequently necessitates ratios significantly different from this.
Manageable Span of Control. NIMS 2008 states that “in ICS, the span of control of any individual with incident management supervisory responsibility should range from 3 to 7 subordinates, with 5 being optimal. During a large-scale law enforcement operation, 8 to 10 subordinates may be optimal.“.
The optimal span of control for incident management is one supervisor to five subordinates; however, effective incident management frequently necessitates ratios significantly different from this.
To maintain a manageable span of control, the initial responding Incident Commander (IC) may determine it necessary to delegate functional management to one or more Section Chiefs.
Span of Control Span of control pertains to the number of individuals one supervisor can effectively manage. It is especially important to maintain an effective span of control at incidents where safety and accountability have top priority. Management studies have shown that the span of control for a supervisor falls within a
