Command support at incidents - PN541

Question 1

Command support at incidents

What is Level 1 initial command support ?

Answer 1

Level 1 – Initial Command Pump (ICP)

Level 1 initial command support will be provided at incidents by personnel riding front line appliances.

Question 2

Command support at incidents

What are the requirements when designating a Command Pump Officer (CPO) ?

Answer 2

The firefighter designated to run the first phase of command support will not need a specialist command support officer qualification.

It is essential for Watch Managers to regularly train their personnel in the duties of a Command Pump Officer (CPO), the functions of an Initial Command Pump (ICP) and the use of an Initial Command Wallet (ICW).

Question 3

Command support at incidents

When should the role of CPO be designated ?

Answer 3

The IC will designate a firefighter as CPO as soon as possible. It is recognised that this may not be possible immediately on arrival. However a CPO should be nominated as soon as resources are available.

Question 4

Command support at incidents

Can a designated CPO be allocated other tasks ?

Answer 4

No ! The firefighter designated as a CPO should only carry out that role and not engage in any other duties such as pump operator or breathing apparatus entry control officer.

Question 5

Command support at incidents

What are the duties of a Command Pump Officer (CPO) ?

Answer 5

• identify a suitable pump to be used as ICP
• notify Brigade Control, from all incidents that require an informative or assistance message that an ICP has been initiated
• make sure that only the ICP’s headlights and blue beacons remain on so that it can be easily identified (see pic)
• collect NRB’s from appliances already on the scene.
• deposit NRB’s in the Initial Command Wallet (ICW).
• enter incident details on the ICW
• record the declared tactical mode at the incident.
• draw a basic line drawing of the scene of the incident.
• receive NRB’s from oncoming appliances and senior officers.
• notify oncoming officers/crews of the requirements of the IC
• maintain radio contact with the IC and Brigade Control.
• continue to function as the ICP for the duration of the incident or until told to close down by the CU staff

Question 6

Command support at incidents

What message needs to be sent to Brigade Control when a ICP has been initiated ?

Answer 6

‘G271 is now the Initial Command Pump at this incident, Tactical Mode……’

Question 7

Command support at incidents

Why is it advised that only the ICP should have its lights and beacons on at an incident ?

Answer 7

The ICP will be the focal point at an incident, when the CU is not in attendance. This will allow police, ambulance or other agencies to identify a location to contact the IC, or for a roll call following an evacuation of Brigade personnel.

Question 8

Command support at incidents

Why is critical for the CPO to monitor the main scheme radio on the ICP ?

Answer 8

The ICP will provide the communications link between Brigade Control and the IC. The appliance main scheme radio must be monitored, as risk critical information may need to be passed to the IC from Brigade Control.

Question 9

Command support at incidents

What are the functions of the Initial Command Wallet ?

Answer 9

Holds NRB securely

Provides preliminary details of the incident on the incident information board

Provides a speedy & efficient transfer of NRB’s and info between ICP & CU

Question 10

Command support at incidents

What is Level 2 command suppport ?

Answer 10

This is a dedicated command support provided by one or more of the eight Command Units within the brigade

Question 11

Command support at incidents

What are the main features of Command Unit?

Answer 11

• Purose built body
• A range of computer of communications equipment
• A large working area
• A technical area (at the rear)
• 40” TV/Monitor
• 32” External touch screen
• Booking in point
• Headline boards
• Whiteboards

Question 12

Command support at incidents

What computer equipment is found on a Command Unit ?

Answer 12

• data base with all brigade polices and procedures
• document creation and storage facilities to electronically record information relating to events at the incident. The CU also has the capacity to download and view information from a range of multi media devices.
• Command Support System (CSS) is a dedicated computerised command support resource designed around the Decision Making Model (DMM).

Question 13

Command support at incidents

What is used as a backup facility in the event of the CSS failing ?

Answer 13

A Headline board (see pic) and 2 whiteboards

Question 14

Command support at incidents

What communication facilities does a CU provide?

Answer 14

• main scheme and incident ground fixed radio systems.
• dedicated command channel on channel two provided by an onboard radio repeater
• mobile repeater
• leaky feeder cable
• Matel field telephone and cable
• downlink capability.
• message conferencing facility

Question 15

Command support at incidents

What is the Mobile repeater designed to do?

Answer 15

To provide communication facilities at incidents where radio weak spots are evident.

Question 16

Command support at incidents

When would a leaky feeder cable be used ?

Answer 16

For enhancing radio communications at sub surface incidents or where communications are difficult.

Question 17

Command support at incidents

What is the Matel field telephone and cable used for ?

Answer 17

For point to point wired communications.

Question 18

Command support at incidents

What is the downlink facilty used for?

Answer 18

To view images from the MPS helicopter.

Question 19

Command support at incidents

Besides computer and comms equipment, what other equipment is found on a Command unit ?

Answer 19

Functional surcoats

Operational surcoats

BA 2nd set carry bag

FIB templates

Major incident box

Question 20

Command support at incidents

What are the four functions of command support?

Answer 20

Operations Support

Communications Support

Logistics Support

Planning Support and Information Management

Question 21

Command support at incidents

How should a Command Unit provide ‘operations support’ ?

Answer 21

By providing dedicated support to the IC at incidents giving advice on the appropriate level of command support required at an incident. Provide the IC with detail of the functionality and capability of the CU and crew.

Question 22

Command support at incidents

How does a Commmand Unit provide ‘communications support’ ?

Answer 22

By monitoring main scheme and fireground radios, drafting and sending messages authorised by the IC. Utilising the functionality of the CU to enhance incident communications.

Question 23

Command support at incidents

How should a Command Unit provide ‘logistics support’ ?

Answer 23

By providing the focal/rendezvous point for booking-in appliances, senior officers and other agencies attending operational incidents. Assisting in preparation and implementation of relief plans, and providing information on projected resource requirements.

Question 24

Command support at incidents

How does a Command Unit provide for ‘planning support and information management’’ ?

Answer 24

By Utilising fully the functionality of the CU to record and display information to support the IC. Provide an enhanced pictorial representation of the incident detailing resources and operational strategies i.e. location and designation of sectors.

Question 25

Command support at incidents

How are Command Support officers identified on the fire ground ?

Answer 25

Command Support officers are identified by a red and white chequered surcoat with the words ‘Command Staff’ or ‘Team Leader’and are only to be utilised for command support duties.

Question 26

Command support at incidents

What specific tasks should a CU team carry out at an incident ?

Answer 26

• On arrival liaise with the IC and provide advice to the IC in relation to command support.
• Relieve the CPO of their duties and transfer the ICW to the CU.
• Notify Brigade Control that the CU is now Incident Command Vehicle.
• Enter preliminary incident information as per the CSS start-up protocols as described in Policy Number 722 - Command support system.
• Transmit and receive messages to and from Brigade Control.
• Utilise the functions of the CU as appropriate e.g. provide a print out of 200m radius hazard zone at a cylinder incident.
• The team leader will ensure the CU personnel provide accurate information relating to the incident and that this is displayed via CSS to assist the IC to manage the incident.
• Maintain and update the plan of the incident, including the recording of the duties and location of senior officers and operational crews committed at the incident.
• Maintain an operational overview of the reserve appliances and crews held at the marshalling area (if in operation).
• Transmitting and receiving information/messages to and from the IC.
• Co-ordinate and maintain radio contact with sector/operations commanders.
• Transmit and record information/messages to and from Brigade Control or the Resource Management Centre (RMC) as appropriate to the incident.

Question 27

Command support at incidents

What should a CU officer do when recieving a NRB from an on coming appliance or officer ?

Answer 27

Ensure details match those on CSS. It is the responsibility of on-coming officers and appliance commanders to book themselves in attendance with Control.

Question 28

Command support at incidents

What is the ridership level of a Command unit ?

Answer 28

3 with a minimum of 2

Question 29

Command support at incidents

What type of incidents are Command units mobilised too ?

Answer 29

• Incidents declared 3/4 pump fires (not grass or special services)
• Persons reported fires
• Confirmed Hazardous Materials incidents
• Cylinder incidents
• Forward mobilising procedure
• Major incidents
• Mass decontamination.

Question 30

Command support at incidents

When will an additional CU be mobilised ?

Answer 30

At incidents of six pumps and above an additional CU will be mobilised to assist with the command support functions at the incident.

Question 31

Command support at incidents

Can IC’s return a CU if they do not require it to attend ?

Answer 31

Incident commanders do not have the discretion to return the initial CU ordered to an incident prior to a stop message being sent. Upon arrival at an incident the CU team leader will liaise with the IC and if following an assessment by the IC it is decided that command support can be fully provided at the incident by the CPO, the CU can be released from the incident.

Question 32

Command support at incidents

Under what circumstance can a IC return a CU not already in attendance ?

Answer 32

The IC can, following liaison with the CU team leader, return the additional CU ordered at incident of six pumps and above where the additional command support is not required, i.e. ‘Make pumps six additional CU not required.’

Question 33

Command support at incidents

Additional CUs may be requested at any incident to provide dedicated functions.

What are the functions that they can provide?

Answer 33

• Dedicated conference facility i.e. Silver Meetings at incident.
• Acting as a media liaison point at a distance from the main operations.
• Provide dedicated support to BA main control officer.

Question 34

Command support at incidents

What is a sector commander command support’s (SCCS) role ?

Answer 34

This person will be responsible for the CU Team and functional support officers at the incident.

Question 35

Command support at incidents

What must a CU leader do before leaving an incident?

Answer 35

The CU team leader will make sure that a CPO has been designated and that a command pump (CP) is identified. All relevant information is then transferred to the CPO and they are supplied with the latest situational information, messages and maps. The CP will assume its designated role re-utilising the ICW as detailed earlier within this instruction. Prior to leaving an incident the CU on site will ensure that Brigade Control is notified that the CP is now in operation and confirm its call sign.

Question 36

Command support at incidents

What must a CU leader do with information they have collected at an incident they have attended ?

Answer 36

• Collect any hard copies of any documentation relating to an incident on the instruction of the IC.
• Store documentation relating to information that is not automatically recorded on Authority systems should be considered e.g. Silver meeting agendas, any documents relating to Fire survival guidance calls or messages confined to the incident ground.
• Down-load onto a computer disc any documents created electronically on CUs
• Any hard copies and disc(s) should be placed in an envelope addressed to Operations and Mobilising Directorate Admin (HQ) for archiving. The last CU team leader should ensure the envelope is posted in the internal mail.
• This procedure may be altered if the incident dictates, e.g. incidents that are likely to attract an inquiry. In these cases the IC, Monitoring or Operations Review Team officer may invoke other measures to ensure security and storage of documentation.