ICS CH1 JD Flashcards
- 4 ICS breaks down the elements that are required to successfully manage an incident into five main functions. The functions are: COMMAND, PLANNING, OPERATIONS, LOGISTICS, and FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION.
- 5 It is the responsibility of the initial Incident Commander, whether an Officer or a Chief, to implement the necessary functions within ICS based on the needs of the incident. As the needs of the incident grow in complexity and the Command function is transferred to succeeding officers, further expansion of the ICS should take place.
- Actions, conditions, or deployment of resources that effect or alter the strategy or tactics of the IC must be reported to the next higher level of command.
3.5.1 Unified Command is a means of organizing different agencies that have statutory authority and responsibility at large scale incidents, into one coordinated and controlled effort. It is designed to promote close working relationships among different departments and/or agencies.
Under “Unified Command,” each department and/or agency will maintain control over its own personnel. It enables all involved agencies to perform their roles effectively, minimize inefficiency and avoid duplication of effort.
3.5.3 Implementing the plan of action will be under the direction of an Operations Section Chief. The Operations Section Chief could be from the agency that has the greatest involvement and responsibility at the incident, or there could be a Unified Operations Section.
Incident Command Post - The Incident Command Post (ICP) is the area from which the IC performs the function of managing the incident. There should be only one “Command Post.”
*TEST
Staging - The area where resources are held awaiting assignment. A staging area may be located away from the incident or any other appropriate location based on need. Staging is under the direction of a Staging Area Manager who reports to the IC or Operations Chief when Operations has been staffed.
- TEST
- Knowledge of the current status of resources at an incident is critical to effective management. The Resources and Situation Unit provides up to date status of resources. The aide of the first to arrive Battalion Chief initially performs this function. The status of resources is continually monitored and this keeps the IC informed and up to date.
*aide first bc then RUL when staffed
3.8.4 Changes in status or location of resources must be promptly reported by the individual who makes the change. This provides an accurate accounting of all tactical resources at the incident.
4.1.1 Single Command
When an incident occurs within a single jurisdiction and there is no jurisdictional or functional agency overlap, a single IC should be designated with overall incident management responsibility by the appropriate jurisdictional authority.
4.1.2 Unified Command
When an incident occurs and there are jurisdictional and/or functional agency overlaps, a Unified Command will be designated. Agencies meet and work together at one location, developing strategies and preparing a single Incident Action plan.
The IC has the option of implementing a COMMAND STAFF. The Command Staff includes the following functions:
A. The Liaison Officer is the point of contact for assisting and cooperating agency representatives.
B. The Public Information Officer (PIO) is responsible for gathering pertinent factual information concerning the incident. Upon approval from the IC, the PIO will interface with the media and other agencies.
C. The Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring hazardous or unsafe conditions and initiating action to protect personnel from life-threatening situations.
S-safety on ch 1
I- information public
L- Liaision
A. SINGLE RESOURCES
Company - A company is a vehicle providing equipment capability and personnel such as an Engine Company, Ladder Company or Rescue Company.
Team - A specific number of personnel assembled for an assignment such as search, ventilation under the direction of a team leader.
B. COMBINING RESOURCES
To maintain a manageable span of control, improve communication, improve control and coordination, single resources may be combined into sectors and groups.
1. Sector - Defines the activities and operations of resources within an assigned geographical area. For example, the IC might form a sector from units operating in an exposure to reduce the span of control and more efficiently manage radio traffic by only dealing with one sector supervisor. A Sector Supervisor manages a sector.
2. Group - Consists of resources formed to address specific functional tasks. For example, the IC forms a group to search specific floors of a high rise building. Each resource within the group performs the search function and reports to a group supervisor. Additionally, at the scene of a multiple casualty incident, resources may be assigned to perform the functions of triage, treatment and transportation. The IC has achieved closer supervision of the units and reduced the number of radio contacts. This allows more time to deal with other problems that exist. A Group Supervisor manages a group.
While sectors are restricted to a specific geographical area such as an exposure, groups may cross sector boundaries to accomplish an assigned functional task (e.g., search). When a group is assigned a task or function that overlaps sector boundaries, the sector may be relieved of that responsibility. Groups and sectors coordinate their efforts and report to the next higher level of command.
C. 1.
2.
SPECIAL APPLICATION
Strike Team - Specific combinations of the same kind and type of resources with common communications, under the supervision of an Officer designated as a Strike Team Leader (e.g., five engine companies and a Chief Officer assigned to brand patrol at a multiple alarm).
Task Force - Any combination of resources with communications capability, under the supervision of an Officer designated as a Task Force Leader, put together for a temporary assignment. Generally, the number of resources in a task force should be limited to five for control purposes. A task force may be formed when more than one unit must be managed. Task forces may be formed for many functions. They may be pre- established or made up at the incident (e.g., members of FDNY-FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force
BRANCHES - EXPANDING THE ORGANIZATION
The next higher form of organizational tool available to the IC is called a BRANCH. A branch is created when the span of control over sectors and groups is excessive or at major incidents when resources from other agencies are committed. A branch is managed by a Branch Director.
*span control more then 7
Branch Director:
1. Manages a specific part of the tactical plan appropriate to that branch.
2. Coordinates the activities of units within the branch.
3. Assigns specific tasks to sectors or groups within the branch.
4. Keeps the next higher level informed of the status in the area of responsibility.
Branches may be established at an incident to serve several purposes. In general, branches may be established for the following reasons:
• Span of control
• Functional
• Multi-agency
• Geographical
*SPAN OF CONTROL
Branches should be utilized at incidents where the span of control of sectors or groups becomes unmanageable. 3- 7 5 ideal more 7 create branch
Initially, the IC can manage the staging area. If an incident is very complex, the IC can set up a formal staging area and assign an Officer as Staging Area Manager.
If the position of Operations is staffed, Staging reports to Operations since this Chief now is managing the tactical part of the Incident Action Plan. The Operations Section allocates the available resources from a defined staging area.
- ** on ticket SAM is P
- staging under operations
under logistics
-Communication Unit - establishes and operates the network of resources to manage the radio traffic and information flow within the ICS and between the Incident Command Post and the dispatcher.
**relives rul
B. Rehabilitation Unit - responsible for ensuring rehabilitation assistance for incident responders. This unit does not provide assistance for civilians.
C. Food Unit - responsible for coordinating the feeding of personnel at extended operations, if necessary.
