I. The FIRESCOPE Incident Command System
A. Introduction
1. The Incident Command System was devised by a task force of fire service agencies known as FIRESCOPE. The FIRESCOPE working group is managed by the California Office of Emergency Services Fire and Rescue Division. FIRESCOPE stands for Firefighting RESources in California Organized for Potential Emergencies.
2. The Incident Command System is designed around the theories of span of control, unity of command , modular organization, and common terminology to manage both simple and complex incidents. The Incident Commander delegates responsibilities to individuals as he sees fit, while remaining within the framework of the ICS. Positions within the ICS are filled from the top down. Only positions needed for the successful termination of the incident are activated.
B. Scope
The Incident Command System is the recognized command system for the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District. It shall be the only system used, and it shall be used for all incidents.
C. Reference
The official reference text for the Incident Command System shall be the textbook titled Incident Command System by Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University. The textbook, any addenda, and this policy shall be considered one document and kept in a binder in each station library.
II. The Incident Commander (Radio Title - "IC")
A. Responsibilities
1. The Incident Commander is responsible for all incident activities including the development and implementation of strategic decisions and for approving the ordering and releasing of resources.
2. The primary reason for the existence of the Incident Commander is the need to focus responsibility for the successful control and termination of the incident on a single person or working group.
B. Single and Unified Command
Command can be accomplished two ways. For most incidents, a single person shall be the Incident Commander. In some cases, a unified command structure may be used (page 16 of the ICS text). There shall be only one command structure for an incident.
C. Advantages
The existence of a central Incident Commander mobilizes everyone's efforts to:
1. Fix command responsibility on a particular individual or group through a standard identification system.
2. Ensure that strong, direct, and visible command is established as early as possible.
III. Guidelines for Development of an Incident Organization
A. ICS Functional Areas and Span of Control
1. The ICS organization has five major functional areas (page 16, ICS text). They are Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance.
2. As an incident grows and the Incident Commander's span of control is exceeded, he may choose to fill positions in the functional areas. The Incident Commander will only fill those positions deemed necessary for the needs of the incident, but some guidelines can be applied (Appendix A, ICS Modular Development, page 49, ICS text).
B. Command Staff (Radio Titles - "Safety, Liaison, Information")
1. Command staff positions are activated to assume responsibility for key activities which are not part of the line organization. In ICS, three specific positions are identified. They are Safety Officer, Liaison Officer, and Information Officer.
2. The Safety Officer should be activated for all major incidents.
C. Operations Section Chief (Radio Title - "Operations")
1. Complex incidents may dictate that the Incident Commander delegate responsibility for all operations directly applicable to the primary mission to an Operations Section Chief.
2. Divisions and Groups are the main building blocks of the Operations Section, and they will most likely be utilized whether or not the Operations Section Chief is activated (pages 20-31 and 66-72, ICS text).
D. Planning Section Chief (Radio Title - "Plans")
1. The Incident Commander should consider activating the Planning Section Chief or other positions within the Planning Section when it becomes difficult to keep track of resources assigned to the incident, monitor the overall incident situation, or if the incident is likely to last long enough to require a change of shifts.
2. The Planning Section is responsible for maintaining resource status information, resource check-in, situation status information, and development of the Incident Action Plan (page 11, ICS text).
E. Logistics Section Chief (Radio Title - "Logistics")
The Logistics Section is responsible for all activities that support the incident, including air supply, personnel rehabilitation, feeding, fuel, vehicle maintenance, transportation, and all resource and supply ordering. The Incident Commander should consider activating the Logistics Section Chief or other positions within the Logistics Section when any of the following situations occur:
1. An extensive commitment of resources has been made.
2. The incident remains uncontrolled after two hours.
3. Dispatch is running multiple incidents and cannot keep up with resource requests.
F. Finance Section Chief (Radio Title - "Finance")
The Finance Section will probably only be activated for very large, complex, and potentially expensive incidents (page 40-42, ICS text).
IV. Standard Operating Procedures for Incident Operations
A. Assuming Command
1. The first arriving officer will normally be the Incident Commander. On incidents where there is only one unit responding, there is no need to formally assume command. For multi-company incidents, command must be formally assumed over the radio so that all responding units know who the Incident Commander will be. The Incident Commander should designate a tactical frequency at this time if one is deemed necessary.
2. Command should be assumed in a manner similar to the following example: "Engine 49 is on scene. Engine 49 will be Mother Lode IC." At that point in time, the Incident Commander assumes the radio title of "Mother Lode IC."
B. Passing Command
Incidents will occur where the first arriving officer cannot assume command for some reason. In such a case, that officer shall advise the other responding units that he will not be assuming command by stating over the radio that he is "passing command." The next arriving officer shall then assume command and announce that fact on the radio. Passing command shall only occur once at any incident.
C. Assuming Command from an existing Incident Commander
1. A higher ranking officer may choose to assume command of an incident from an existing Incident Commander. When this occurs, the change in command is best accomplished face to face to enable a sufficient exchange of information to fully brief the new Incident Commander. The change in command should then be announced over the radio. The actual assumption of command from an existing Incident Commander should be accomplished via radio only if a face to face meeting is not practical.
2. Note that passing command differs from assuming command from an existing Incident Commander. The essential difference is the position of the person initiating the change in command. They are not the same. If a higher ranking officer does not feel that he can contribute to a more efficient outcome of the incident by assuming command, he may elect not to do so.
D. Location of the Command Post
1. The standard command position for the Incident Commander at incidents of limited duration will be a stationary position at or inside a command vehicle or piece of fire apparatus, which is then called the Command Post. The Command Post should be situated in a predictable and conspicuous location which affords the Incident Commander a good view of the incident area. The Command Post should never interfere with apparatus movement.
2. For complex and/or long duration incidents, the Command Post should be located at a facility offering phone communications and sheltered work space for Command and General Staff functions.
3. The Incident Commander must discipline himself to remain at the Command Post and manage the incident from one basic position. The ICS is designed to support and assist a centrally located Incident Commander.
E. Communications
1. With very few exceptions, all radio communications will be clear text. A list of standard communications terms can be found in Appendix I of this policy and page 212 of the ICS text.
2. When an individual assumes responsibility for a designated ICS position, he also assumes the radio title that goes with the position.
3. All personnel have the authority to declare an emergency. To declare an emergency while operating on the main dispatch frequency, ask Central to clear the air for your emergency traffic. When that is done, proceed with your emergency traffic. All routine radio traffic should cease until normal radio traffic is declared resumed. When operating on a tactical frequency, contact the Incident Commander or Operations Section Chief to declare an emergency.
F. Staging
1. All apparatus arriving after the first-in apparatus shall stage at a hydrant or other location which offers options for movement and wait for a specific assignment from the Incident Commander. If it becomes apparent that the Incident Commander has forgotten the company is staged, the company officer shall contact the Incident Commander and ask for instructions. If such communication is not possible, the company officer shall use his judgement and act in the best interest of the control effort.
2. When the Incident Commander or the Operations Section Chief designates a Staging Area(s) for an incident, he will assign a Staging Area Manager (pages 22 and 68, ICS text).
V. Summary
This document and the Incident Command System textbook have been prepared to enable all personnel to use a common, nationally recognized system to manage emergency incidents. With a thorough knowledge of the ICS, everyone should know where they fit in at any given incident. The reader should keep in mind that, while the system can get complex, it is designed so that only the elements dictated by the size or nature of the incident will be used. Please take the time to read the Incident Command System textbook on which this policy is based.
Appendix I
Clear Text Terminology
Available The company involved or identified is still on scene and working, but can clear for another assignment.
Cancel Disregard your assignment or response.
Code Blue Used during a medical aid to indicate that the assigned company is involved in medical incident with a patient who is not breathing, and advanced life support and /or CPR are in progress.
Division 1) The radio identifier for a Division Supervisor (followed by a specific designator, eg; "Division A"). 2) A geographic division of the Operations Section in the Incident Command System.
Group 1) The radio identifier for a Group Supervisor (preceded by a specific designator, eg; "Ventilation Group"). 2) A functional division of the Operations Section in the Incident Command System.
IC The radio identifier for the Incident Commander. The term "IC" should be followed by the name of the incident (eg; "Weber IC"), especially if more than one incident is occurring at the same time.
Stage To place a company in readiness near the incident scene so it can be used to best advantage when tactical orders are received from the Incident Commander or Operations Section Chief.
Staging The radio identifier of the Staging Area Manager. When more than one Staging Area is being used, a designator should precede the word "Staging" (eg; "Missouri Staging").
Staging Area A geographical area designated by the Operations Section Chief or Incident Commander where available resources assemble while awaiting assignment.
Strike Team Specified combinations of the same kind and type of resources, with common communications and a leader (eg; a Type 1 Engine Strike Team, which contains 5 structure engines and a leader).
Task Force A group of resources with common communications and a leader temporarily assembled for specific mission. A Task Force differs mainly from a Strike Team in that it is temporary and the resources of a Task Force are not necessarily of the same type (eg; 3 Engines and a Water Tender).
Portable Radio Designations: "Engine" - the company officer
"Pump" - the apparatus operator
"Portable" - the firefighter
[ home ] [ index ] [ return to top ]