Joplin Fire Department
SOG
503.1-11-C
Standard Operating Guideline
Effective Date:
Subject: INCIDENT COMMAND
PAGES 1 of 7
Application:
All JFD Personnel
1-1-2012
Rescinds:
None
Created by: Deputy Chief Perkins
Authorized by: Fire Chief Randles
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Standard Operating Guideline is to ensure that an Incident
Management System is used on all emergency responses by the Joplin Fire Dept.
ACTION:
1. Overview
Basically, I.C.S. is a structured method of operating at an emergency. Essentially it affects and
thus improves three factors at an emergency.
1. Communications
2. Clear, continuous command
3. Establishes and maintains “Span of Control”
The Joplin Fire Department (JFD) will pattern its I.M.S. after the National Incident
Management System (NIMS).
The four major responsibilities of the Incident Commander are to:
1. Provide for firefighters safety and survival.
2. Protect, remove and provide care for endangered occupants.
3. Gain control of the incident.
4. Conserve property during and after incident control operations.
This list is the same list of responsibilities for the fire department. Even though all personnel at
the scene represent the fire department, the I.C. has the responsibility for all activities on the
incident scene.
2. Command and Initial Action Plans
An effective emergency operation centers around one Incident Commander. If there is no
Command, or if there are multiple commands, emergency operations will quickly break down.
The “Incident Commander” will be the person in charge of an Incident. The Incident
Commander will have overall responsibility of running the incident and will be held ultimately
responsible for its outcome. Command will be established for every incident that JFD responds
to.
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Incident Command
Incident action plans (IAP) - A written or unwritten plan for the safe and efficient disposition
of an emergency incident. IAP’s identify the following items:
 Strategic goals
o Broad general outcomes required for mitigation
o They must align with the Incident priorities
 Tactical objectives
o Actions to complete strategic goals
o Must be specific and measurable
 Support requirements
Every incident MUST have an IAP and the information used to develop an IAP is based on sizeup, pre-incident survey data, available resources and experience of command officer. The IAP
must be communicated throughout the on-scene organizational structure.
3. Establishment of Command
The Joplin Fire Department uses geographic command designation. Command will be designated
by geographic area (15th street command) or the specific occupancy (Xerox command) at which
the incident is occurring. This ensures that multiple incidents operating simultaneously will not
be confused if they are working on the same radio talk group.
On a single company response a formal arrival report is generally not necessary but should
include any pertinent information necessary to allow the Shift Commander to prepare for
escalation of the incident (ie. Being dispatched to a MVA and arriving to find a multi-car
accident with multiple patients, etc…).
On a multiple unit response excluding fires and fire alarms the following information will be
considered the minimum required information:
1. Unit arrival
2. Brief description of conditions
3. Establishment of Geographic Command
For structure fires and fire alarms the following will be considered the minimum required
information the first-in unit shall give on arrival;
1. Unit arrival
2. Building description (size, construction, occupancy)
3. Obvious conditions: smoke and fire
4. Immediate actions being taken (action plan, declaration of strategy)
For the unit establishing command the following will be considered the minimum required
information for the establishment of command:
1. Unit arrival
2. Confirmation of arrival report
3. Confirmation/alteration of I.A.P.
4. Establishment of Geographical Command
5. Location of the command post
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Incident Command
4. Transferring Command
Once formal command has been established, it can only be transferred to other personnel in the
following manner:
1. It must be done after a face-to-face exchange of information.
2. It must be announced to the dispatcher via radio as described above.
Arriving officers will indicate arrival by radio, report to the Command Post, and receive a
situation status report.
1. The situation status report will indicate the following:
fire/emergency location, extent, conditions
deployment and assignments of operating units
safety considerations
need for additional resources
The incoming officer shall review the tactical worksheet with the current Incident
Commander before transferring Command.
Transfer of Command will be transmitted over the air and announcing the location of the
Command Post.
The Command Post should be STATIONARY at a command vehicle.
The person relieved of command will be utilized to the best advantage of the officer
assuming Command
The arrival (in itself) of a ranking officer does not automatically transfer command. Command
should only be transferred when it can strengthen the overall command function and improve
operations.
5. Communications
Command designation will be by geographic area (15th street command) or the specific
occupancy (Xerox command) at which the incident is occurring. All radio traffic addressed to
Incident Command will use the full command designation. For clarity ALL ORDERS given
over the radio WILL BE REPEATED to ensure clarity and understanding
As personnel or units are assigned they will be also assigned a radio designation to accompany
that assignment (Example1- ventilation is assigned to Engine 3’s entire crew, they will be
referred to as “Ventilation” for purposes of radio traffic. Example 2 – 2 members of Engine 2 are
assigned as the RIT crew and the other 2 are assigned as a second attack line. The RIT crew is
referred to as “RIT” and the others will be “Attack 2” for radio traffic)
 The following will be the accepted labeling of sides:
o Exterior - Alphabetic beginning with Side Alpha as the ADDRESS SIDE
and then sequentially clockwise (Bravo, Charlie, Delta etc…). Exposures
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Incident Command
will receive the designation of the appropriate side. Example: the structure
located on the Alpha side would be the “Alpha exposure” and the structure
next to the Alpha exposure would be Alpha 1 exposure.
o Interior – Numerical to coincide with the FLOOR NUMBER (for below
grade use the prefix of “sub” for each level). Example: Crews working on
the second floor of a structure would be assigned to “Division 2”
6. Staging
Staging consists of two (2) levels and will be implemented as follows:
Level 1
Will be defined as holding short of the incident scene by at least 1 block
and will be used for ALL multi-company responses
The first arriving piece of apparatus will report directly to the scene, and if
Command has been established, report to the Incident Commander
Subsequently arriving units shall position themselves short of the scene
and await further instructions from Command. Units not assigned will
indicate they are “On the Scene, staged”.
Level II
Level II staging consists of one or more distinct area (s).
Will be utilized for major incidents or incidents requiring significant
amounts of apparatus or personnel.
The Staging Area(s) will be removed from the incident scene but will be
close enough to facilitate rapid deployment of personnel and apparatus.
Command will assign a staging officer. Command will announce the
location of the staging area.
7. Location of Command Post
The Command Post should offer a relatively quiet vantage point, with lighting, radio equipment
and sufficient space to manipulate written reference materials. The incident command system
works because “command” establishes a plan and everyone else follows it. For normal
operations, driveways, parking lots, and yards directly across from the incident are acceptable
locations.
When setting up the Command Post:
1. Provide for maximum visibility of the structure (try to have a clear view of two sides).
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Incident Command
2. Provide for maximum visibility of the surrounding area.
3. Be in conspicuous position, easy for personnel to find.
4. Be in a safe position.
5. Avoid blocking apparatus movement and emergency operations.
6. Be able to observe the general effects of the crews operating at the emergency
8. Mobile Command
The Incident Commander (I.C.) should discipline themselves to remain at the Command Post
and manage the Incident from one location. When it is necessary for the I.C. to leave the
Command Post, they shall advise all units on the scene that “Command is mobile” and announce
their destination. This should be a short duration situation and is not intended to allow for
command to “roam” the fireground. They will also announce when they return to the Command
Post.
9. Command Attire
Safety clothing will not be required for those operating at the Command Post unless they will be
going into any portion of the action zone (to be defined as the area in which crews are working
that require protective equipment as defined by SOG#____).
10. Divisions and Groups
Divisions:
1. Divisions are responsible for all tactical operations in a geographic area
2. Divisions will be used to divide responsibility geographically
3. The designations for the divisions will be alphabetic for external divisions with the
address side being “Side A” and remaining sides assigned clockwise. For multiple
floor incidents the divisions will be numerical correlating with the floor numbers i.e.
1st floor –Division 1, roof –Roof division.
4. Divisions may have units assigned to assume tactical roles (attack, rescue, etc.) that
are not assigned as groups
Groups:
1. Groups are responsible for specific functional assignments at the incident
2. Groups will be designated by the functional area they are assigned (i.e. Ventilation,
attack, search and rescue etc.) and are responsible for that task on the ENTIRE
SCENE and not just a specified area
Groups and Divisions operate on the same Command level and not subordinate to each other.
11. Bench Marks
Benchmarks are announcements that a particular activity has been completed. These
announcements shall be given by the officer in charge of the activity to command. Normally, this
will be face-to-face conversation. Command then informs dispatch of the completion of the task.
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Incident Command
Joplin Fire department will use the following standard benchmarks:
1. Primary Search Complete - given when the primary search has been completed. A
search shall be done on any structure where there is the possibility of victims being
endangered.
2. Under Control - given when the Command determines the incident is under control.
3. Extrication Started – given when extrication has begun.
4. Extrication Complete – given when the patient is extricated.
There may be occasions, where other Benchmarks are used, depending on the situation such as
“Patient accessed” or “Spill Contained”. It will be up to Command if and when to use these or
other additional Benchmarks.
12. Emergency Traffic
Any Fire Personnel may use the term “URGENT” or “EMERGENCY TRAFFIC” if they
wish to clear all the radio traffic to make an emergency transmission regarding a situation of
impending or imminent danger (such as signs of building collapse, etc.). The term “MAYDAY”
should be used by a firefighter in distress / life threatening situation.
Any firefighter can declare “MAYDAY” traffic. When command hears this request, they shall
announce “Emergency, Clear All Traffic”. The unit calling “MAYDAY” will then give their
message. Command shall announce the end of Emergency Traffic.
13. Rehabilitation (Rehab)
Command personnel operating on an incident must maintain awareness as to the condition of the
personnel working under them and initiate a rehabilitation area to prevent excessive fatigue and
exhaustion.
Command is responsible for providing a rehabilitation area when deemed necessary. When
command establishes a rehab area a rehab officer will be appointed. The major factors of
consideration will be to provide for;
1. medical evaluation
2. food and fluid replacement
3. protection from the elements
The Rehab area will be located away from incident operations where personnel may remove their
protective clothing.
1. The rehab officer must maintain a log of personnel entering and exiting the
area.
2. The rehab officer must also provide personnel (Paramedic) to perform medical
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Incident Command
evaluations.
3. Medical evaluations will be conducted upon arriving in and before leaving the
Rehab Area. Prior to being cleared from the rehab area all vital signs will be
compared with the criteria on the rehab log.
4. Personnel deemed to be fatigued or medically unfit for duty will have that
information relayed to Command for determination on appropriate disposition.
5. Personnel being cleared from rehab will be instructed to report to Command
(small incidents) or the Staging Officer (large events).
14. Unified Command
Unified Command (UC) is an important element in multi-jurisdictional or multi-agency incident
management. The exact composition of the UC structure will depend upon the location(s) of the
incident and the type of incident.
Jurisdictional responsibilities of multiple incident management officials are consolidated into
a single planning process including
 responsibilities for incident management;
 incident objectives;
 resource availability and capabilities;
 limitations; and
 areas of agreement and disagreement between agency officials.
Incidents are managed under a single, collaborative approach, including the following:
 common organizational structure;
 single incident command post;
 unified planning process; and
 unified resource management.
UC works best when the participating members of the UC collocate at the Incident
Command Post and observe the following practices:




Keep each other informed of specific requirements;
Establish consolidated incident objectives, priorities, and strategies;
Coordinate to establish a single system for ordering resources;
Develop a consolidated IAP, written or oral, evaluated and updated at
regular intervals; and
 Establish procedures for joint decision-making and documentation.
The primary differences between the single command structure and the UC structure are:
 In a single command structure, the IC is solely responsible for establishing
incident management objectives and strategies. The IC is responsible for
ensuring that functional activities are directed toward accomplishment of
the strategy.
In a UC structure, the individuals designated by their jurisdictional authorities (or by departments
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Incident Command
within a single jurisdiction) jointly determine objectives, strategies, plans, and priorities and
work together to execute integrated incident operations and maximize the assigned resources
15. Termination of Command
The last unit to clear the scene will be tasked with terminating command and disposition of the
incident. The following is a sample command termination message: “Dispatch Truck 1…Truck 1
will be clear of the scene and available, Terminating Blank Street command”.
EXCEPTION: None
REFERENCE: National Incident Management System