Firescope California Incident Command System Publication

1 Incident Command System Publication Structure fire OperationsICS - 500 10 - 14 - 2015 Incident COMMANDSYSTEM Structure FireOperations FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies This document contains information relati ve to the Incident Command System (ICS)component of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This is the same 1 Inci dent Command System developed by Firescope . Additional information and documentation can be obtained from the following sources: OES Firescope OCC 2524 Mulberry Street Riverside, CA 92501-2200(951) 320-6199 Fax (951) 784-3026 CONTENTS Cont ents.

2 1 Forward 3 Command Guidelines 5 Responsibilities of Command 5 Functions of Command 5 .. Risk Management 6 Af ter Action Review 8 Establishing Command 8 ..Initial Radio Report 8 Radio Designation 8 360 Assessment 9 Follow-up Radio Report 9 Command Options .. 9 Passing Command 11 Transfer of Command General Considerations 12 Mayday .. Emergency Traffic 13 Command Structure 13 Incid ent Command System Organizational Development 13 Command Organization Command Structure Basic Or ganization 15 Division Designation 17 Division/Gr oup Supervisor Guidelines Command Structure Expanding the Org anization 24 Expanding the Organization Sections 25 Expanding the Organization Branches 26 Organizational Structure The Incident Commander 28 Command Staff 29 Single/Unified Command 29 Single Command Incident Commander 30 Unified Command 31 Single/Unified Command Differences 31 2 Appendix A: Glossary of Terms.

3 33 Appendix B: Integrated Communications 38 Appendix C: Sample Tactical Worksheets 39 Appendix D: Tactical Priorities and Strategic Objectives 46 3 FORWARD Firescope last revised this document more than twenty years ago. While much of the strategy and tactics of combating structure fires has remained unchanged over the last twentyyears, there have been some recent changes t hat will be recognized in this document. These changes include addressing: Risk Assessment Improved Accountability Rapid Intervention Mayday Transitional fire Attack It is recognized by Firescope that the vast majority of structure fires are short term incidents(less than one operational period).

4 Due to the compressed time frame, most structure fire Incident management systems incorporate only the Command and Operations functions of ICS. For longer t erm incidents requiring the implementation of the Planning, Logistics and/or Finance/Administration functions, the Firescope Field Operations Guide ICS 420-1 (FOG) should be used as a reference. The purpose of the Incident Command System (ICS) is to provide for a systematic deve lopment of a complete, functional Command organization designed to allow for single or multi-agency use, which increases the effectiv eness of Command and firefighter safety. The Natio nal Inci dent Management System (NIMS) identifies concepts and principles that answerhow to manage emergencies from preparedness to recov ery regardless of their cause, size, location or complexity.

5 The ICS is a component of NIMS. The I CS provides an organized method to appl y goals and objectives to structure fire System helps to provide fire ground safety and accountability. This document is primaril y for struct ural fire incidents but may be applicable to other types of emergency incidents. The key elements of the System are: The systematic development of a complete functional organization with the major functionsbeing Command , Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance. Designed to allow for multi-agency adoption in federal, state, and local fire , organizational terminology us ed in the ICS is designed to be acceptable to all levelsof government.

6 Designed to be the basic, everyday operating System for all incidents within each , the transition to large and/or multi-agency operati ons requi res minimal adjustmentfor any of the agencies involved. The organization builds from the ground up, with the management of all major functionsinitially being the responsibility of one or just a few persons. Functional units are designed tohandle the most important Incident activities. As the Incident grows in size and/or complexity, 4 functi onal unit management is assigned to additional individuals in order to maintain areasonable span of control and efficiency.

7 Designed on the premise that the jurisdictional authori ty of the involved agencies will not becompromised. Each agency having legal responsibility within i ts j uris diction is assumed to have fu ll Command authority within its jurisdiction at all times. Assisting agencies will normallyfunction under the direction of the Incident Commander appointed by the agency having jurisdiction. Multi-jurisdictional incidents will normally be managed under a Unified Commandmanagement structure involving a single Incident Command Post and a single Inci dent ActionPlan applicable to all agencies involved in the Incident .

8 The System is intended to be staffed and operated by appropriate personnel from anyagency, and a typical Incident c ould involve the use of personnel from a variety of agencies,working in many different parts of the organization. The System expands and contracts organizationally based upon the needs of the ontrol recommendati ons are followed closely; therefore, the organizational structur eis not larger than required. Although the focus of this document is structure fire operati ons, thedocument recognizes the importance in the fire service of coordinating Incident response withresponders of other disciplines, such as medical, law enforcement, and public works.

9 Anef fecti ve Incident management System must provide an integrated multi-discipline ICS provides an overall st ructure that allows the successful int egration of multipledisciplines, allowing application to the all hazard nature of emergency incidents. The Firescope Program believes that any Incident management System should be guidelinedriven for the following reasons: Written guidelines reflect department best practices for Incident management. Guidelines provide a standardized approach to managing any Incident . Guidelines provide predictable approaches to Incident management. Guidelines should be applied routinely.

10 Guidelines provide a training tool for firefi ghter reference. Guidelines provide a baseline for c ritiques and review of inci dents. Guidelines make the Incid ent Commander s operations more effective. This model reflects a guidelines approach to the overall organization structure of the ICS. 5 Command GUIDELINES Purpose: This document identifies standard operating guidelines that can be employed whenestablishing Command at a structure fire Incident . The System provides for the effectivemanagement of personnel and resources while providing for the safety and welfare ofpersonnel. It also establishes guidelines for the implementation of all components of ICS forstructure fire operations.