Chapter 13

The Incident Command System

Introduction

• Incidents come in all types and sizes• As you become more skilled in size-up and

applying strategic priorities, you can better assist the person in command of the incident

• By learning ICS prior to an incident, resources from different agencies and disciplines can come together at the scene and operate in an effective, coordinated manner

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

• Primarily first-in fire officer• Resources and control

INCIDENT PLANNING• Effective utilization of resources• Resolve incident without further damage

Learning Objective 1

Need for a Plan at Every Incident

OFFENSIVE MODE

• Resources applied directly• Risk versus benefit

DEFENSIVE MODE• Fire is too large or well established• Risk to personnel is too high

Learning Objective 2Offensive, Defensive,

and Combination Attacks

COMBINATION MODE

• Both offensive and defensive modes• Requires good communication• Used on large wildland incidents• Used to add structure protection• Requires careful coordination

Learning Objective 2Offensive, Defensive,

and Combination Attacks

LAYMAN’S SEVEN STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Rescue• Exposure protection• Confinement• Extinguishment• Overhaul

Cont.

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Need for Organized Thought Process

Strategic Priorities at an Incident

LAYMAN’S SEVEN STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• Salvage operations• Ventilation

ORDER OF SEVEN STRATEGIC PRIORITIES• Not necessarily performed in order• Acronym is “RECEO SV”

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Need for Organized Thought Process

Strategic Priorities at an Incident

STRATEGIES

• Plans to achieve a goal or objective

TACTICS• Actions taken to achieve strategies

TASKS• Pieces of work to achieve the tactics

Learning Objective 5Strategy, Tactics, and Tasks

COMMUNICATION

• Personnel should not need lengthy instruction Knowledge of priorities and tactics Participants should understand their responsibilities

• Should be two-way Incident commanders Company officers

Learning Objective 5Strategy, Tactics, and Tasks

STEPS FOR SIZE-UP

• Determining facts• Anticipating probabilities• Assessing your own situation• Making a decision• Planning the operation

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Need for Size-Up of an Incident

Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up

WILDLAND FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS

• Correct location• Size• Fuel type• Slope and aspect• Rate of spread

Cont.

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Need for Size-Up of an Incident

Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up

WILDLAND FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS

• Exposures• Weather conditions• Potential of the fire• Additional resources needed• Objectives

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Need for Size-Up of an Incident

Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up

STRUCTURE FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS

• Correct location• Height/stories• Size• Type of structure• Location and area involved

Cont.

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Need for Size-Up of an Incident

Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up

STRUCTURE FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS

• Level of involvement• Exposures• Potential of fire• Additional resources needed• Objectives• Obtain an “all clear”

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Need for Size-Up of an Incident

Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE 5

• Issued in response to September 11, 2001, attacks• Called for National Incident Management System

ESTABLISHMENT OF NIMS• Incident Command System (ICS) as a key feature• Announced in March 2004

Learning Objective 8National Incident Management

System (NIMS)

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS)

• Standardized all-hazard incident management concept

• Considerable internal flexibility

HISTORY OF ICS• Developed in 1970s following catastrophic fires• Response problems due to management of incidents

Learning Objectives 9 and 11Components of Incident Command System

Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident

ICS BUILT ON BEST PRACTICES

• Based on successful business practices• Tested in 30 years of applications

WHAT ICS IS DESIGNED TO DO• Meet the needs of incidents of any kind or size• Avoid duplicating effort

Learning Objectives 9 and 11Components of Incident Command System

Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident

SOME APPLICATIONS OF ICS

• Fire, both structural and wildland• Human and animal disease outbreaks• Hazardous material incidents• Terrorist incidents• National special security events• Other planned events

Learning Objectives 9 and 11Components of Incident Command System

Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident

ICS FEATURES

• Common terminology and clear text• Modular organization• Management of objectives• Reliance on an Incident Action Plan (IAP)• Management of span of control

Cont.

Learning Objectives 9 and 11Components of Incident Command System

Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident

ICS FEATURES

• Predesignated incident locations and facilities• Resource management• Integrated communications• Chain of command and unity of command

Cont.

Learning Objectives 9 and 11Components of Incident Command System

Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident

ICS FEATURES

• Unified command• Transfer of command• Accountability• Mobilization• Information and intelligence management

Learning Objectives 9 and 11Components of Incident Command System

Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident

PERFORMANCE OF MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS

• Incident Command• Operations• Planning• Logistics• Finance/Administration

Learning Objective 10

Positions and Functions in ICS

INCIDENT COMMANDER

• Overall role Has overall responsibility for managing incident

• Responsibilities• Selecting and changing Incident Commanders

May change to meet needs of incident

Learning Objective 10

Positions and Functions in ICS

EXPANDING THE ORGANIZATION

• Command staff• General staff• ICS Section Chiefs

and Deputies

Learning Objective 10

Positions and Functions in ICS

OPERATIONS SECTION

• Operations Section Chief Greatest technical expertise of the problem

• Operations Section: Maintaining span of control

• Operations Section: Expanding and contracting

Learning Objective 10

Positions and Functions in ICS

PLANNING SECTION

• Resources Unit

• Situation Unit

• Documentation Unit

• Demobilization Unit

Learning Objective 10

Positions and Functions in ICS

LOGISTICS SECTION

• Logistics Section: Major activities

• Logistics Service Branch

• Logistics Support Branch

Learning Objective 10

Positions and Functions in ICS

FINANCE ADMINISTRATION SECTION

• Finance Administration Section: Major activities

• Finance Administration Section: Units

Learning Objective 10

Positions and Functions in ICS

Summary

• At any time at an incident, you should be able to answer three questions: What do you have? What do you need? What is your plan?

• For effective management of any type of incident, there must be an Incident Action Plan

• With the standardization of the ICS across the nation through NIMS, a management team or resources from another area can be brought in to assist with an incident if the need arises

• Management staff can adapt the structure of the organization to meet incident needs