Evaluation and Prioritization of Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Incident Command System (ICS) Using AHP and DEMATEL Methods in Iranian Process Industries

One of the most important challenges that is considered in process industries to improve performance and increase productivity is the optimization of the incident command system. Incident Command System (Incident Command System) is a standard approach to control and coordinate the management of incidents in the scene. The present study aims to evaluate and prioritize the factors affecting the effectiveness of the Incident Command System (ICS) using AHP and DEMATEL methods in Iran's process industries.

In this research, firstly, a questionnaire was compiled and designed using the AHP method in order to weight the criteria and prioritize them, and a questionnaire was designed using the Dematel method in order to determine the effectiveness and mutual influence of the criteria and sub-criteria. And then the questionnaires were completed by 15 incident commanders and process industry safety officials and crisis management activists working in the oil and petrochemical industry.

AHP analysis ranked ‘command’ highest with a standard weight of 0.256. DEMATEL results showed ‘command’ as the most influential (standard weight of 10.59), effective (11.9), and interactive (21.96) indicator. ‘Standardization’ (1.35) and ‘professionalism’ (1.19) emerged as causal factors, while ‘command’ (-0.50), ‘planning/organizational structure’ (-1), ‘facilities and resources’ (-0.18), and ‘disability index’ were responsive indicators.

Both AHP and DEMATEL methods highlight the significant impact of asset command on the success of ICS in Iran’s process industries. This version maintains the original content’s integrity while meeting the word count requirement.