Ch. 3 Establishing Command

Question 1

________ gives the first arriving officer options with regard to initial actions at incidents.

Answer 1

Command modes

Question 2

_________ should be part of the command’s on-scene announcement.

Answer 2

Command modes

Question 3

NFIMSC refers to command modes as _________.

Answer 3

Command options

Question 4

Command modes create a ________ for the fire service.

Answer 4

Play book

Question 5

Command modes are ___________, they depend on what the officer first sees on arrival. Command modes can be used for __________________.

Answer 5

Situational.

Most, if not all, types of incidents, not just fires

Question 6

More than ____% of fire we respond to are handled with __________.

Answer 6

90%.

1 line or less

Question 7

Three command modes

Answer 7

Nothing showing.
Fast attack.
Command

Question 8

The fact the first-in officer is command and is going to investigate _________________. Once units hear “nothing showing”, they should _____ and not _____.

Answer 8

Need not be announced over the radio.

Stage.
Not go up to the incident without being directed to

Question 9

At majority of fires we will respond to, the first on-scene unit sees ___________. All units responding or listening know two things:

Answer 9

No evidence of fire.

Fire dept. unit on scene.
No apparent sign of fire at this time

Question 10

In _____ mode, the officer being involved hands-on will have a __________ in the outcome of the incident. If command participates, the incident ________________ and no additional units will be needed, or their participation kept to a minimum.

Answer 10

Fast attack.
Definite impact.

Probably will be handled successfully

Question 11

For fast attack to be effective, first in officer must consider several variables: (2)

Answer 11

The extent of the incident on arrival - will officer’s hands-on involvement have a definite impact.
Location of other responding units - next in will establish formal command

Question 12

Officer announces fast attack, units responding know 4 key things:

Answer 12

Fire dept. unit has arrived.
There is SOME TYPE of fire.
First in officer is joining the crew.
Next in unit must establish formal command (everyone else stage)

Question 13

With __________ mode, there is a working fire.

Answer 13

Command

Question 14

Once command mode is used, responding units know 3 things:

Answer 14

Fire dept. unit has arrived.
There is a WORKING fire.
On their arrival, they should stage until directed by command

Question 15

Stepped in for ego’s sake and taken command, several opportunities lost: (3) (OMM)

Answer 15

First, opportunity to observe lower-ranking officers.
Second, opportunity to mentor those officers.
Third, takes away ability to “manage by walking around”

Question 16

“Rule of thumb” for taking command

Answer 16

“Are the needs of the incident being met?”
Needs include: (5)
Appropriate assignments being made? Under/overcommitted?
Incident still expanding or beginning to de-escalate?
Are the needs of the occupants being addressed?
-chances are this is their first fire. Also, it has taken them by surprise.
Are needs of firefighters being met?
Final: How is staffing? Officer sent back to his crew.

Question 17

When command is transferred, this action ________.

Answer 17

Must be announced over the radio

• identifies responsible party
• if error made, easier to identify
• IMS not a vehicle for identifying/placing blame

Question 18

No one on fireground should give direction to crews except IC, with exception of __________.

Answer 18

Operations chief.

you can coach, mentor or prod if necessary

Question 19

Transferring command to outside agency

Answer 19

Radio announcement takes all liability away

Question 20

3 suggestions what to do with your crew if you are assigned to IC or given another assignment away from your crew

Answer 20

First, answer should come from policy.
Suggestions.
1. Assign one of crew as acting officer and give whole crew assignment-safety and contractual may prohibit.
2. Assign them to another crew-must be stated over radio AND relayed to accountability officer ASAP. (RADIO).
3. You can use them in a command staff position
if take command, use apparatus and staffing to the best of THEIR ability and as procedure and safety concerns allow