Incident Command System

Question 1

What does I.M.S stand for?

Answer 1

Incident Management System

Question 2

Definition of I.M.S*

Answer 2

!The Incident Management System (I.M.S.) is
a command and control system used to
manage fire and other emergency scenes*!

Question 3

I.M.S may also be referred to:

Answer 3

Incident Command System (ICS)

Question 4

ICS is a component of _____

Answer 4

NIMS

Question 5

ICS should be used for all operations and training. T/F?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What does NIMS stand for?

Answer 6

National Incident Management System

Question 7

What does NIMS define?

Answer 7

Defines standards and guidelines nationally

Question 8

Do variations of NIMS exist?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

What does NIMS require in regard to funding?

Answer 9

NIMS requires the adoption and use of ICS if organizations want federal funding.

Question 10

What was ICS before 1970? (3)

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What did FIRESCOPE do in 1970?

Answer 11

Developed first standard ICS

Fire-ground command system (FGC).
Initially developed for day-today department incidents

Question 12

ICS in 1980 (2)

Answer 12

FIRESCOPE ICS adopted by all federal and most state wildland firefighting agencies

Several federal regulations and
consensus standards adopted

Question 13

*Benefits of ICS*(6) (OPAF CD)

Answer 13

1. ) Organize/control/coordinate activities
2. )Provide a means for decisionmaking
3. ) Affixes responsibility to one person
4. ) Flexible/adaptable - can be expanded or reduced to fit the needs of the incident
5. ) Control communication system
6. ) Directs all personnel/efforts towards a common goal

Question 14

Fundamentals of IMS (8) (CCCMMDUI)

Answer 14

1. ) Common terminology
2. ) Consolidated IAP’s
3. ) Comprehensive resource management
4. ) Modular organization
5. ) Manageable Span of Control
6. ) Designated incident facilities
7. ) Unity of command
8. ) Integrated communications

Question 15

IMS Encompasses (5) (DDDAE)

Answer 15

1. ) Determining operational objectives
2. ) Developing and implementing the Incident Action Plan (IAP)
3. ) Developing an appropriate organizational structure
4. ) Assessing incident priorities
5. ) Establishing command

Question 16

*Unity of Command* (3) (BAE)

Answer 16

Best qualified person should be assigned at the appropriate level.

All orders and assignments come
from that supervisor.

Each person has only one supervisor.

Question 17

*Span of Control*

Answer 17

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

Question 18

*Freelancing* definition

Answer 18

Companies or individuals acting on their own on the fire-ground.*

Question 19

Why is freelancing dangerous? (4)

Answer 19

*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

Question 20

*Developing Incident Action Plans (IAP) * (SHHH)

Answer 20

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

Question 21

*Comprehensive Resource Management - (Staging Area)

Answer 21

Large-scale incidents

Close to incident

Units held in reserve

Question 22

What are the 4 levels of IMS?

Answer 22

Strategic Level

Coordination Level

Tactical Level

Task Level

Question 23

What are the 4 levels of IMS?*

Answer 23

Strategic Level

Coordination Level

Tactical Level

Task Level

Question 24

Strategic Level description?*

Answer 24

overall incident command by IC and command staff

Question 25

Coordination Level description?*

Answer 25

• Branch Officers (uncommon)

Question 26

Tactical Level description?*

Answer 26

Division/Group Officers directing activities towards a specific objective.

Question 27

*Task Level*

Answer 27

activities normally accomplished by companies or individual personnel. This is where the actual work gets done. FFs are usually working here.

Question 28

*Command description?*

Answer 28

The Person in charge of an emergency who determines strategic objectives and assigns available resources*