Commandant
2100 Second Street, SW
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-OPF-3
Phone: (202) 267-1532
COMDTINST 3120.14
SEP 28 1998
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 3120.14
Subj: INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM
(a) Ref: National Contingency Plan, 40 CFR 9 and 300
(b) Marine Safety Manual Vol. IX, COMDTINST M16000.14
(c) Contingency Preparedness Planning Manual, Vol. I, Planning
Doctrine and Policy, COMDTINST M3010.11A
1.
PURPOSE. To adopt a standardized response management system for Coast Guard contingency
response actions. The information contained in this instruction will be incorporated into the next
changes to references (b) and (c).
2.
ACTION. Area and district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands,
unit commanding officers, assistant commandants for directorates, Chief Counsel, and special
staff offices at Headquarters shall comply with the requirements of this instruction and ensure that
all personnel involved in response actions are familiar with, and trained in, the use of the National
Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS) based Incident Command System (ICS).
Further, Area Contingency Plans (ACPs) and contingency plans prepared in accordance with
references (a) and (c) shall use an ICS structure in their response organization and management
procedures that is consistent with the guidance in this instruction.
3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. COMDTINST 16471.1 is canceled.
4.
BACKGROUND..
a.
Commandant Instruction 16471.1 mandated NIIMS ICS be used for all Coast Guard
hazardous material and oil spill response actions. It encouraged that ICS be used for other
contingencies as well. Since its publication, the Coast Guard has enjoyed considerable
success in oil and hazardous material responses that can be attributed to the use of ICS. Its
use has been particularly effective in providing common response organization and process
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