Incident Command System Flashcards
What does I.M.S stand for?
Incident Management System
Definition of I.M.S*
!The Incident Management System (I.M.S.) is
a command and control system used to
manage fire and other emergency scenes*!
I.M.S may also be referred to:
Incident Command System (ICS)
ICS is a component of _____
NIMS
ICS should be used for all operations and training. T/F?
True
What does NIMS stand for?
National Incident Management System
What does NIMS define?
Defines standards and guidelines nationally
Do variations of NIMS exist?
Yes
What does NIMS require in regard to funding?
NIMS requires the adoption and use of ICS if organizations want federal funding.
What was ICS before 1970? (3)
Every fire department had its own methods of incident management.
Organization often depended on
the style of the chief on duty.
Such an approach did not work
well with other units or mutual aid
companies.
What did FIRESCOPE do in 1970?
Developed first standard ICS
Fire-ground command system (FGC).
Initially developed for day-today department incidents
ICS in 1980 (2)
FIRESCOPE ICS adopted by all federal and most state wildland firefighting agencies
Several federal regulations and
consensus standards adopted
*Benefits of ICS*(6) (OPAF CD)
- ) Organize/control/coordinate activities
- )Provide a means for decisionmaking
- ) Affixes responsibility to one person
- ) Flexible/adaptable - can be expanded or reduced to fit the needs of the incident
- ) Control communication system
- ) Directs all personnel/efforts towards a common goal
Fundamentals of IMS (8) (CCCMMDUI)
- ) Common terminology
- ) Consolidated IAP’s
- ) Comprehensive resource management
- ) Modular organization
- ) Manageable Span of Control
- ) Designated incident facilities
- ) Unity of command
- ) Integrated communications
IMS Encompasses (5) (DDDAE)
- ) Determining operational objectives
- ) Developing and implementing the Incident Action Plan (IAP)
- ) Developing an appropriate organizational structure
- ) Assessing incident priorities
- ) Establishing command
*Unity of Command* (3) (BAE)
Best qualified person should be assigned at the appropriate level.
All orders and assignments come
from that supervisor.
Each person has only one supervisor.
*Span of Control*
Span of Control - The number of units or personnel that one person can realistically and effectively supervise*
Should range anywhere from 1:3 to 1:7, with 1:5 being optimum
Less than 1:3 - too many bosses
and not enough workers
More than 1:7 - bosses being
spread too thin
*Freelancing* definition
Companies or individuals acting on their own on the fire-ground.*
Why is freelancing dangerous? (4)
*Dangerous because their actions may not be related to the IC’s plan of attack*
Makes direct supervision difficult
Creates accountability problems
Creates safety problems
*Developing Incident Action Plans (IAP) * (SHHH)
State Objective - i.e. Rescue and offensive fire attack
Have a Desired Outcome - i.e. All victims out and fire extinguished
Have a Time Frame - i.e. 5 minutes
Have a Plan “B” - i.e. If fire is not under control in 10 minutes, transition to defensive operations
IAP should be based on incident priorities
*Comprehensive Resource Management - (Staging Area)
Large-scale incidents
Close to incident
Units held in reserve
What are the 4 levels of IMS?
Strategic Level
Coordination Level
Tactical Level
Task Level
What are the 4 levels of IMS?*
Strategic Level
Coordination Level
Tactical Level
Task Level
Strategic Level description?*
overall incident command by IC and command staff
Coordination Level description?*
- Branch Officers (uncommon)
Tactical Level description?*
Division/Group Officers directing activities towards a specific objective.
*Task Level*
activities normally accomplished by companies or individual personnel. This is where the actual work gets done. FFs are usually working here.
*Command description?*
The Person in charge of an emergency who determines strategic objectives and assigns available resources*
