A two-week national-level exercise involving local, state and federal government agencies is proving the capabilities of a system designed to provide effective communication and organization between different emergency responders. The tests were held in Alaska.

Being tested was the Incident Command System that is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Incident Management System. This system is being implemented nationwide.

The Incident Command System is a combination of facilities, equipment, operators, procedures and communications designed to aid in domestic incident management activities. It can be used for a broad spectrum of emergencies, according to FEMA.

"It really clarifies lines of communication and who has command of what in an emergency," said Maj. Darren Deroos, the 3rd Wing chief of inspections and exercises at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. "This exercise is our biggest full scale of test of ICS including civilian counterparts."

The system is finding wide use during this year's Alaska Shield/Northern Edge exercise, which is specifically designed to test communication and streamline response efforts between government agencies at all levels — local, state, Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Throughout the exercise, military and civilian first responders work together as they react to crisis scenarios, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other emergency situations.

May 8 and 9, military, civilian and federal authorities partnered to respond to two incidents - a simulated train collision involving hazardous materials and mass casualties here, and a simulated terrorist attack on the North Pole Refinery Complex in nearby North Pole, Alaska. During both incidents, emergency responders used ICS to coordinate their efforts.

"This exercise is the perfect opportunity to test the capabilities of AFIMS and ICS and the ability of the Air Force to integrate with its civilian counterparts during an emergency," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser, Alaska Command commander. "Alaska is uniquely equipped to put this system through its paces because the state is leading the country in implementing the national incident management system."