EPIC Coordination System (ECS)

How We Coordinate Projects within ONE|Boulder

The EPIC Coordination System (ECS) is ONE|Boulder's adaptation of the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS is the global standard in emergency response environments - used to coordinate and mobilize thousands of people, across multiple agencies, into practical action and meaningful response in a matter of hours, despite never having worked together before. We've added cutting-edge cultural and financial practices, a Training & Development branch, and Community & Spirit branch to support our specific community context.

Each ECS project begins with a 3-person management team - the Lead, the Support and the Safety. The management team makes an "all-in commitment" to take 100% responsibility for the project's needs and fill all core UCS branches. These Branches are:

Unified Coordination - core management of the project, including broadcasting public information, ensuring overall project safety, and connecting with partner organizations.

Operations - responsible for determining what needs to get done NOW

Planning - responsible for planning HOW to do what needs to get done

Logistics - responsible for procuring and maintaining the resources (WHAT) needed to get it done

Admin & Finance - responsible for determining what resources are available to get it done

Training & Development - developing trainings and the capacities of emergent leadership

Community & Spirit - The culture keepers and community support. This role is mindful of the people who are involved in this project, making sure everyone is feeling safe, sourced and in connection with their passion.

By establishing best practices and modeling after ICS, those working with ECS move more efficiently towards their respective missions, and the groundwork is established for inter-organizational collaboration and shared human resources, including in the case of any local emergency response efforts.

Learn more about our ECS Tools & Best Practices here.