Planning and Preparation 1: Four Keys to Successful Implementation: To be most effective, there are four keys to implementing an ICS with a UC: Learn. The National Response Team (NRT) encourages all responders to learn ICS/UC. The better it is understood, and the more familiar it is, the easier it will be to form a common structure when demanded by an incident. Plan. How the ICS/UC will be implemented in varying situations should be decided well in advance of an incident. The ACP process should be used to identify roles and responsibilities of the various participants during different response scenarios. Start early. As soon as two organizations are determined to have responsibility for, or in, a response, an ICS/UC should be implemented. Practice. Periodic training and drills are crucial to providing training and role-playing opportunities. To maintain proficiency, using ICS on smaller spills and non-spill events should be considered. Planners and responders at all levels need to understand the authorities and resources each response organization brings to a specific incident. When plans and procedures are understood, agencies can support each other effectively. However, each response results in new lessons learned, which necessitates continuing refinement of the procedures and processes, development of better methods, and meshing of agency needs and actions. Memoranda of Agreement (MOA): Effective Planning Tools to Implement a Successful ICS/UC: Using a unique approach to ensure coordination and cooperation at the scene of an incident, the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) established an MOA with EPA Region V and the USCG 9th District for emergency response to discharges of oil and releases of hazardous substances occurring within their jurisdictions. The MOA acknowledges the respective authorities of local, state, and federal responders and stresses the importance of including local authorities in the UC. The MOA also advocates that roles and responsibilities of all involved parties be clearly defined well in advance of an incident by using the area, state, and regional contingency planning processes. See more from topic source: https://www.osha.gov/html/a-z-index.html