Unified Command

The National Incident Command System identifies a Unified Command as a team effort process, allowing all agencies with geographical or functional responsibility for an incident, to assign an Incident Commander to a Unified Command organization. The Unified Command then establishes a common set of incident objectives and strategies that all can subscribe to. This is accomplished without losing or giving up agency authority, responsibility or accountability. Unified Command represents an important element in increasing the effectiveness of multijurisdictional or multi-agency incidents. As incidents become more complex and involve more agencies, the need for Unified Command is increased.

A Unified command is used to coordinate crowd safety, traffic management, emergency response, resource allocation, and medical personnel response.

There may be additional personnel present through mutual aid, which is routinely used during large or high-visibility events.  In Illinois, Mutual aid personnel operate under Illinois law and local command authority and are deployed strictly for public safety support.