General Staff Roles

Question 1

To maintain span of control, the Incident Commander may establish any or all of what four sections of General Staff?

Answer 1

• Operations Section
• Planning Section
• Logistics section
• Finance/Administration Section

Question 2

On the General Staff, the person in charge of a section (operations, planning, logistics, or finance/administration) is called what?

Answer 2

Section Chief.

Question 3

In an expanding incident, the Incident Commander first establishes which section?

Answer 3

Operations Section

Question 4

When are the planning, logistics, and finance/adminstration sections of the General Staff established by the Incident Commander?

Answer 4

As needed after the Operations section is established.

Question 5

Taken together, what are the Section Chiefs called?

Answer 5

General Staff

Question 6

If no Operations Section is established, who performs all operating functions?

Answer 6

Incident Commander

Question 7

What major activities might the Operations Section perform?

Answer 7

• Implementing strategies and developing tactics to carry out incident objectives.
• Directing the management of all tactical activities on behalf of the Incident Commander.
• Supporting the development of the Incident Action Plan to ensure it accurately reflects current operations.
• Organizing, assigning, and supervising the tactical response resources.

Question 8

What major activities might the Planning Section perform?

Answer 8

• Preparing and documenting the Incident Action Plans.
• Managing information and maintaining situational awareness for the incident.
• Tracking resources assigned to the incident.
• Maintaining incident documentation.
• Developing plans for demobilization.

Question 9

What major activities might the Logistics Section perform?

Answer 9

• Ordering, obtaining, maintaining, and accounting for essential personnel, equipment, and supplies.
• Providing communication planning and resources.
• Setting up food services for responders.
• Setting up and maintaining food services for responders.
• Setting up and maintaining incident facilities.
• Providing support transportation.
• Providing medical services to incident personnel.

Question 10

What is the Finance/Administration Section responsible for?

Answer 10

• Contract negotiation and monitoring.
• Timekeeping.
• Cost analysis.
• Compensation for injury or damage to property.
• Documentation for reimbursement (e.g. under mutual aid agreements and assistance agreements)