Preventing the introduction of AIS is the first line of defense against invasions. However, even the best prevention efforts do not stop all AIS introductions. While it is recognized that early detection increases the likelihood that invasions will be addressed successfully while populations are still localized and can be contained and eradicated, more needs to be done in combining the the expertise of scientists into a cohesive Science Advisory Committee that can provide advice for responding authorities prior to, during, and after a response is taken. Response agency need to perform operational, planning, logistical, financial, and administrative functions. The guidance scientists, researchers, and policy advisors can provide is not in close alignment these functions. This alignment is critical to provide key governmental officials the information they need to direct their authories to respond to a newly discovered or spreading Invasive Species. As an interim step toward improving AIS response capability, this presentation will introduce "Incident Command System" (ICS) concepts for the benefit of scientist who might participate in rapid response events, but who have not typically operated under such ICS structures.

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