Incident Commander and Monitoring Officer (PN 431)

Question 1

Who holds ‘organisational responsibility’ at an incident?

The Incident Commander (IC)
The Monitoring Officer (MO)
The most senior Officer present or
The Senior Fire Safety Officer

Answer 1

The most senior Officer present

Question 2

Officers attending in a support/specialist capacity will only take command in 4 circumstances. The 1st of these is what?

Answer 2

There are immediate concerns over safety

Question 3

The IC of an incident will be clearly identified by an Incident Commander surcoat. What Colour is it?

Answer 3

White yoke and yellow lower body marked “Incident Commander”

Question 4

Where the fire boat and a land based appliance form the initial attendance at an incident operational command will be the responsibility of who?

Answer 4

The most senior land-based commander

Question 5

Officers attending in a support/specialist capacity will only take command in 4 circumstances. The 2nd of these is what?

Answer 5

The incident appears to be beyond the capability of the IC

Question 6

Up to and including how many Appliances will the first attending Station Officer (Stn.O) take the role of IC and remain in charge?

Answer 6

4 pumps in attendance, the same is true of the first attending Sub Officer (Sub O)

Question 7

Officers attending in a support/specialist capacity will only take command in 4 circumstances. The 3rd of these is what?

Answer 7

They are competent to do so or of a more senior rank

Question 8

Where a Stn.O attends an incident where a substantive Sub O is IC must they take command?

Answer 8

Only if that Incident exceeds 4 pumps in attendance and only until the first attending Station Commander (SC) arrives.

Question 9

Officers attending in a support/specialist capacity will only take command in 4 circumstances. The 4th of these is what?

Answer 9

No other suitable officer is immediately available

Question 10

If a Stn.O attends an incident where a substantive Sub O is in command they may chose to support the Sub O in a monitoring Role. In this instance what 2 things should occur?

Answer 10

A message should be sent; “Sub O Smith remains IC, Stn.O Jones now MO”
The Incident ground should be informed

Question 11

If a substantive Sub O and a temporary Sub O are in attendance at the same incident can the temporary Sub O stay IC?

Answer 11

No. The substantive Sub O MUST take over (2.9)

Question 12

When taking over an incident an Officer must communicate this clearly by using what statement?

Answer 12

“I am taking over”

Question 13

Where an incident attracts a Sub O or Stn.O can the STOP message be sent prior to their arrival?

Answer 13

No, they must attend and complete an assessment of the incident first.

Question 14

It is the ICs responsibility to direct resources to resolve operational incidents. There are 5 responsibilities listed in the note can you list 4?

Answer 14

1) To save Life
2) To prevent further spread/loss/risk of injury
3) To mitigate damage
4) To mitigate environmental damage
5) To minimise disruption to the community

Question 15

Which specialist appliance included as part of the ‘make up’ cannot be returned prior to its arrival?

Answer 15

The initial Command Unit

Question 16

What must an complete, decide on and then declare on initial attendance? (3)

Answer 16

A Dynamic Risk Assessment
A Safe System of Work
A Tactical Mode

Question 17

What Tool should be used by the IC to formulate an Operational Plan?

Answer 17

The Decision Making Model

Question 18

Before closing an incident an IC should inform the sites ‘responsible person’ of what 2 things?

Answer 18

The HAZARDS and RISKS still present

Question 19

The IC needs to establish and maintain clear lines of communication throughout the incident taking into account the spans of control for any tactical role (a maximum of 5 lines of communication). Which 3 groups should the IC be particularly careful to maintain communication with?

Answer 19

1) Brigade Control
2) Other Services
3) Press through a designated press officer

Question 20

What is the Health and Safety guidance document ‘Managing for Health and Safety’ generally known as?

Answer 20

HSG65

Question 21

HSG65 recommends the use of Monitoring systems to provide information to individuals, line managers and the organisation in order to influence Operational Improvement. Does this process focus solely on the those aspects of the incident that require improvement?

Answer 21

No, this includes the reporting of meritorious action to relevant people for recognition

Question 22

Which surcoat will be worn by the MO?

Answer 22

White yoke and yellow lower body marked “Monitoring Officer”

Question 23

The role of MO is carried out in 2 distinct ways. What are they?

Answer 23

Directly - by attending the incident

Remotely - monitoring from a remote location (SC and above)

Question 24

Can the MO make command decisions for the IC?

Answer 24

The MO should not make any command decisions on behalf of the IC unless they are risk critical

Question 25

The are 9 duties for a MO listed in the note, can you list 6?

Answer 25

1) Remote monitoring (SC and above)
2) Direct monitoring (where assessment does not lead to taking over)
3) Attend incident following remote monitoring
4) Gather evidence of operational performance
5) Take command where necessary
6) Ensure safe systems of work are in place
7) Provide support and Guidance to the IC
8) Report to the PRC and PRO
9) Report to the ‘Incident Monitoring Process Database to improve service delivery and record good practice

Question 26

When will the MO role normally end?

Answer 26

Once the STOP message is sent

Question 27

Feedback should be a balanced view of personal performance and observations on organisational performance. The MO is responsible for providing feedback at an incident. Where a more in depth discussion regarding performance is required how is this best undertaken?

Answer 27

Away from the incident at a later date and in a supportive environment

Question 28

On what system should the MO record their observations?

Answer 28

The Incident Monitoring Database

Question 29

What does ORT stand for?

Answer 29

Operations Review Team

Question 30

Where a member of ORT is not in attendance the assurance role may be undertaken by who?

Answer 30

An attending SC who should;

• Remain in attendance until the STOP
• Speak to the IC and MO to discuss individual and organisational observations