Implementing the Incident Command System
The I.C.S. should be utilized during any Emergency Incident.
When an incident is encountered, the Incident Commander should designate
and staff a Command Post for the incident. In addition, the I.C. should
designate a staging area and designate a Staging Sector Officer. The County
Communications Center will be advised of the specific location of the
Command Post and staging area by the Incident Commander as soon as
practical after their designation. The Command Post shall be conspicuously
marked and easily identifiable by use of a green light which is easily visible.
The Incident Commander should select a strategic location for the Command
Post that has adequate means of communications, is in reasonable proximity
to the incident, is identified and accessible, and affords the maximum possible
safety to those individuals who must coordinate and manage the incident.
The location of the Command Post shall be announced by the County
Communications Center and the Incident Commander identified as
"__________" Command. The designation of "__________" Command shall
not change for the duration of the incident. An identifier to denote "________"
Command shall be utilized to avoid confusion.
When multiple incidents are in progress, the County Communications Dispatcher will designate the Command identifier to avoid confusion.
Example: An incident: Deputy 2 on location with a large three story dwelling,
heavy fire on the second floor, Deputy 2 establishing West Street
Command, Side 1.
Communications: Attention all companies responding on Tactical Box/Box
"______", Deputy 2 is on location with a large three story dwelling, heavy
fire on the second floor establishing West Street Command Side 1.
The Incident Commander will be responsible for the overall management of
the incident including the development and implementation of strategic
decisions. The Incident Commander shall organize an Expandable
Management Team which is capable of handling the incident, including
identifying Sector Officers, preparing a Command Control Chart, and
authorizing the addition or release of Units/Agencies at the scene.
The Incident Commander shall identify areas or functions, which need
specific attention and organize those areas or functions as Sectors. A Sector
Officer shall be designated and remain in command of the Sector until relieved
by the Incident Commander. Personnel and Units assigned to a Sector shall
report directly to the Sector Officer. The Sector Officer shall be responsible for
providing the Incident Commander with periodic progress reports that contains
the current information about the needs and accomplishments of the Sector.
Completion of assigned tasks, other pertinent information or changes in
condition shall be promptly reported to the Incident Commander/Command
Post.
- Sector Officers shall be designated for communications purposes by the
function or area of operation for which they are responsible. The Incident
Commander will assign the Sector Identifier when establishing the Sector,
and the Sector Officer shall the answer by the Sector Name (Sector Name
should not be followed by Command. There is only one Command at an
incident): not his/her normal unit identifier. All Sector Officers should
operate on the Fireground channel. All Units will be required to
communicate through their Command Post Officer.
Examples: Sector 2, Staging Sector, Interior Sector, Water Supply Sector, Roof Sector, Haz-Mat Sector, Evacuation Sector
- Designated Sector Officers and other appropriate Command Personnel will
be identified on second or greater alarms, serious Hazardous Materials
Incidents or other major incidents as deemed appropriate by the Incident
Commander. Appropriate identification will be issued to all personnel on the
emergency scene as designated by the Incident Commander.
The Command Post should be manned by the Senior Ranking Officer /
Individual from those Agencies who are functioning at the incident scene.
When appropriate, a Command Control Chart shall be prepared by the
Incident Commander as a tracking tool to provide the current status of the
incident, the resources committed and in staging. The Command Control
Chart shall be kept updated and used to review the incident, identifying
potential needs, and provide other Incident Management information. The
Command Control Chart shall be used by the Command Officer on all
incidents of a 2nd alarm or greater, serious Hazardous Material Incidents or
other major incidents as deemed appropriate by the Incident Commander.
Incident Command System Operations
As the magnitude or needs of an incident expand, the Incident Commander
shall establish additional Sectors to handle the various problems being
encountered. On larger scale incidents, the Incident Commander may need
to create additional layers of Management to maintain a manageable span of
control. (The optimum span of control for one individual involved in
Emergency Operations is five Subordinate personnel, with an acceptable
range of four to seven. This middle layer of Incident Management Personnel
may include an Operations Officer, Planning Officer, Logistics Officer, and
Financial Officer. Other divisions of the incident shall be established as
required.
Unless otherwise directed, all responding manpower, equipment, and
apparatus from assisting companies or supporting agencies will upon
arrival at the emergency scene report to and remain in the designated staging
area until being assigned by the Command Post.
Once Command has been established, all vital radio communications at
the emergency scene and any requests for additional assistance or
supportive services will be directed and controlled through the Command
Post. Normal radio identifiers will not be used by Sector Commanders after
the establishment and assignment of an Incident Sector Identifier. THE
INCIDENT COMMANDER SHALL BE THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL TO
AUTHORIZE REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
Throughout the second and greater alarms, Units are called to the scene from
the staging through the Command Post. Only the Incident Commander can
order more units to the staging area via County Communications Center.
Transfer of Command - Local Departmental Chain of Command and unity of
Command Concepts are to be adhered to at all times.
- Transfer of Command shall be accomplished in accordance with the
Standard Operating Procedures and established Chain of Command of
the Emergency Service Agency or Governmental Entity who is in charge of
the incident. The Transfer of Command, shall in general, be by a face to
face meeting of the two (2) Commanders to review the status of the
incident.
- The Incident Status Review should include:
- General Incident Status
- Location, Extent, Conditions of Emergency
- Effectiveness of Incident Control Efforts
- The County Emergency Communications Dispatcher will be advised when
the Transfer of Command has taken place. The Incident Commander will
assume the Title of "__________ Command" and the relieved Officer will
be reassigned and utilized to the best advantage of the new Incident
Commander.
Termination of Command
Incident Command Activities shall remain in effect until all apparatus and manpower are released from the scene.
