Chapter 13
The Incident Command System
Introduction
• Incidents come in all types and sizes
• As you become more skilled in size-up and
applying strategic priorities, you can better assist
the person in command of the incident
• By learning ICS prior to an incident, resources
from different agencies and disciplines can come
together at the scene and operate in an effective,
coordinated manner
Learning Objective 1
Need for a Plan at Every Incident
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
• Primarily first-in fire officer
• Resources and control
INCIDENT PLANNING
• Effective utilization of resources
• Resolve incident without further damage
Learning Objective 2
Offensive, Defensive,
and Combination Attacks
OFFENSIVE MODE
• Resources applied directly
• Risk versus benefit
DEFENSIVE MODE
• Fire is too large or well established
• Risk to personnel is too high
Learning Objective 2
Offensive, Defensive,
and Combination Attacks
COMBINATION MODE
• Both offensive and defensive modes
• Requires good communication
• Used on large wildland incidents
• Used to add structure protection
• Requires careful coordination
Learning Objectives 3 and 4
Need for Organized Thought Process
Strategic Priorities at an Incident
LAYMAN’S SEVEN STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
• Rescue
• Exposure protection
• Confinement
• Extinguishment
• Overhaul
Cont.
Learning Objectives 3 and 4
Need for Organized Thought Process
Strategic Priorities at an Incident
LAYMAN’S SEVEN STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
• Salvage operations
• Ventilation
ORDER OF SEVEN STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
• Not necessarily performed in order
• Acronym is “RECEO SV”
Learning Objective 5
Strategy, Tactics, and Tasks
STRATEGIES
• Plans to achieve a goal or objective
TACTICS
• Actions taken to achieve strategies
TASKS
• Pieces of work to achieve the tactics
Learning Objective 5
Strategy, Tactics, and Tasks
COMMUNICATION
• Personnel should not need lengthy instruction
 Knowledge of priorities and tactics
 Participants should understand their
responsibilities
• Should be two-way
 Incident commanders
 Company officers
Learning Objectives 6 and 7
Need for Size-Up of an Incident
Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up
STEPS FOR SIZE-UP
• Determining facts
• Anticipating probabilities
• Assessing your own situation
• Making a decision
• Planning the operation
Learning Objectives 6 and 7
Need for Size-Up of an Incident
Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up
WILDLAND FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS
• Correct location
• Size
• Fuel type
• Slope and aspect
• Rate of spread
Cont.
Learning Objectives 6 and 7
Need for Size-Up of an Incident
Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up
WILDLAND FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS
• Exposures
• Weather conditions
• Potential of the fire
• Additional resources needed
• Objectives
Learning Objectives 6 and 7
Need for Size-Up of an Incident
Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up
STRUCTURE FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS
• Correct location
• Height/stories
• Size
• Type of structure
• Location and area involved
Cont.
Learning Objectives 6 and 7
Need for Size-Up of an Incident
Condition Reports and Performing Size-Up
STRUCTURE FIRE REPORT OF CONDITIONS
• Level of involvement
• Exposures
• Potential of fire
• Additional resources needed
• Objectives
• Obtain an “all clear”
Learning Objective 8
National Incident Management
System (NIMS)
HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL
DIRECTIVE 5
• Issued in response to September 11, 2001, attacks
• Called for National Incident Management System
ESTABLISHMENT OF NIMS
• Incident Command System (ICS) as a key feature
• Announced in March 2004
Learning Objectives 9 and 11
Components of Incident Command System
Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS)
• Standardized all-hazard incident management
concept
• Considerable internal flexibility
HISTORY OF ICS
• Developed in 1970s following catastrophic fires
• Response problems due to management of
incidents
Learning Objectives 9 and 11
Components of Incident Command System
Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident
ICS BUILT ON BEST PRACTICES
• Based on successful business practices
• Tested in 30 years of applications
WHAT ICS IS DESIGNED TO DO
• Meet the needs of incidents of any kind or size
• Avoid duplicating effort
Learning Objectives 9 and 11
Components of Incident Command System
Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident
SOME APPLICATIONS OF ICS
• Fire, both structural and wildland
• Human and animal disease outbreaks
• Hazardous material incidents
• Terrorist incidents
• National special security events
• Other planned events
Learning Objectives 9 and 11
Components of Incident Command System
Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident
ICS FEATURES
• Common terminology and clear text
• Modular organization
• Management of objectives
• Reliance on an Incident Action Plan (IAP)
• Management of span of control
Cont.
Learning Objectives 9 and 11
Components of Incident Command System
Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident
ICS FEATURES
• Predesignated incident locations and facilities
• Resource management
• Integrated communications
• Chain of command and unity of command
Cont.
Learning Objectives 9 and 11
Components of Incident Command System
Unified Command at Multijurisdictional Incident
ICS FEATURES
• Unified command
• Transfer of command
• Accountability
• Mobilization
• Information and intelligence management
Learning Objective 10
Positions and Functions in ICS
PERFORMANCE OF MANAGEMENT
FUNCTIONS
• Incident Command
• Operations
• Planning
• Logistics
• Finance/Administration
Learning Objective 10
Positions and Functions in ICS
INCIDENT COMMANDER
• Overall role

Has overall responsibility for managing incident
• Responsibilities
• Selecting and changing Incident Commanders

May change to meet needs of incident
Learning Objective 10
Positions and Functions in ICS
EXPANDING THE ORGANIZATION
• Command staff
• General staff
• ICS Section Chiefs
and Deputies
Learning Objective 10
Positions and Functions in ICS
OPERATIONS SECTION
• Operations Section Chief

Greatest technical expertise of the problem
• Operations Section: Maintaining span of control
• Operations Section: Expanding and contracting
Learning Objective 10
Positions and Functions in ICS
PLANNING SECTION
• Resources Unit
• Situation Unit
• Documentation Unit
• Demobilization Unit
Learning Objective 10
Positions and Functions in ICS
LOGISTICS SECTION
• Logistics Section: Major activities
• Logistics Service Branch
• Logistics Support Branch
Learning Objective 10
Positions and Functions in ICS
FINANCE ADMINISTRATION SECTION
• Finance Administration Section: Major activities
• Finance Administration Section: Units
Summary
• At any time at an incident, you should be able to
answer three questions: What do you have? What
do you need? What is your plan?
• For effective management of any type of incident,
there must be an Incident Action Plan
• With the standardization of the ICS across the
nation through NIMS, a management team or
resources from another area can be brought in to
assist with an incident if the need arises
• Management staff can adapt the structure of the
organization to meet incident needs