IS 100.c LESSON 4 - General Staff Roles Flashcards
General Staff
To maintain span of control, the Incident Commander may establish any or all of the following four sections: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.
The person in charge of each section is designated as a Section Chief. Section Chiefs have the ability to expand their sections to meet the needs of the situation.
General Staff Overview
In an expanding incident, the Incident Commander first establishes the Operations Section. The remaining sections are established as needed to support the operation.
Operations Section
The Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for an Operations Section and, if so, will designate an Operations Section Chief. It is up to the Operations Section Chief to activate any additional staffing that is needed. When the Operations Section Chief is designated, the staging and management of operational resources moves from the Incident Command to Operations.
If no Operations Section is established, the Incident Commander will perform all operations functions.
Operations Section: Major Activities
The major activities of the Operations Section may include:
- Implementing strategies and developing tactics to carry out the 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
Planning Section
The Planning Section Chief is designated only after the Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for a Planning Section. It is up to the Planning Section Chief to activate any additional staffing that is needed.
The Incident Commander will perform all planning functions if no Planning Section is established.
Planning Section: Major Activities
The major activities of the Planning Section may include:
- Preparing and documenting 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
Logistics Section
The Logistics Section Chief is designated only after the Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for a Logistics Section. It is up to the Logistics Section Chief to activate any additional staffing that is needed.
The Incident Commander will perform all logistics functions if no Logistics Section is established.
Logistics Section: Major Activities
The Logistics Section is responsible for all services and support needs, including:
- 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 incident facilities
- Providing support transportation
- Providing medical services to incident personnel
Finance/Administration Section
The Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for a Finance/Administration Section at the incident. If so, the Incident Commander will designate an individual to fill the position of the Finance/Administration Section Chief.
The Time, Compensation/Claims, Cost, and Procurement Units may be established within this section.
Finance/Administration Section: Major Activities
The Finance/Administration Section is set up for any incident that requires incident-specific financial management. The Finance/Administration Section is responsible for:
- 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)
