What is the difference between a Division and a Group in ICS?

In the Incident Command System (ICS), Divisions and Groups serve distinct purposes based on the organization of resources and the nature of the incident.

Divisions are typically established to manage operations in a designated geographic area. They allow for an effective structure where resources assigned to a specific area can be coordinated and managed efficiently. Each Division is responsible for all the activities within its area, facilitating direct oversight and operational control.

Groups, on the other hand, are formed to oversee a specific functional activity or task that is occurring across various geographic locations. This could include specialized functions such as medical services, hazardous materials control, or search and rescue operations. Groups focus on the "what" aspect of operations, concentrating on specific tasks that might apply to multiple Divisions but do not designate geographic boundaries.

Understanding this differentiation is essential for efficient incident management. Properly categorizing resources leads to improved coordination, resource allocation, and ultimately better outcomes during incident response.