Command Procedures MP 201.01

Question 1

Why do we operate within the ICS?

Answer 1

• to manage personnel/resources

- safety

Question 2

What are Command Procedures designed to do?

Answer 2

• put IC on an individual
• strong, visible Command
• process info to support IM, planning, and decisions
• orderly transfer of Command
• seamless transition from 5/4 incident to 3/2/1 (NIMS)

Question 3

In the “Roles and Responsibilities within ICS”, What are Company Officer responsibilities?

Answer 3

• fill IC position when needed
• fill Sector Officer position when needed
• manage at Task Level and supervise firefighters

Question 4

Within IC, what are Command responsibilities?

Answer 4

• complete the tactical objectives

- drive the IC system towards the end

Question 5

What are the Tactical Objectives?

Answer 5

-remove occupants/treat injured
-stabilize incident and provide life safety
-conserve property
(providing safety, accountability, and welfare of personnel is ongoing throughout incident)

Question 6

What is the ICS used for?

Answer 6

To help complete the Tactical Objectives.

Question 7

What do the Functions of Command define?

Answer 7

The standard actions performed by IC to achieve the Tactical Objectives.

Question 8

What are the 8 Functions of Command?

Answer 8

1) assume command
2) size up
3) start/maintain communications
4) provide/manage resources
5) Id strategy, start an IAP, assign companies
6) effective IC by using Sectors/Divisions/Groups
7) review and revise IAP
8) allow for continuity/transfer/termination of Command
(first 6 done immediately with assuming Command)

Question 9

How is Command established?

Answer 9

1st unit on scene assumes Command, until incident is transferred, stabilized and Command terminated.

Question 10

When is a formal activation of the ICS not required?

Answer 10

On 1 or 2 company responses that won’t escalate, ie:

• single unit response/check welfare
• check hazard
• any EMS call needing only 1 or 2 companies

Question 11

What is the Follow-up Report?

Answer 11

• any immediate safety concerns
• Accountability location
• Disposition of Resources (add, hold, return)
• IRIC (in place and identify)

Question 12

When a Chief Officer (or any unit w/o tactical capabilities) initiates Command, what is their top priority?

Answer 12

To establish a Command Post and relay its location to the Alarm Room.

Question 13

What is Investigative Mode (nothing showing)?

Answer 13

Mobile IC, evaluating conditions while looking for the problem.

Question 14

What is Fast Attack Mode?

Answer 14

Visible working fire. 1st unit arrives and assumes Command, the direct participation in the attack will make a positive difference in the outcome.

Question 15

The Fast Attack Mode should not last more than a few minutes. What situations will allow the Fast Attack Mode to end?

Answer 15

• situation stabilized
• unstable, Officer moves to exterior Command position
• Command transferred to Chief Off/another Company

Question 16

When is a Stationary Command Post used?

Answer 16

On incidents due to large size, complexity, or potential for rapid growth.

Question 17

In a Stationary Command Post, where is first arriving unit that assumes IC posted?

Answer 17

The initial IC will assume Command and stay out of the hazard zone.

Question 18

When the first arriving Company Officer assumes the Stationary Command position, what happens to the crew from his truck?

Answer 18

• “Move Up” an acting officer within the company
• Crew can work under another Company Officer
• Crew can perform staff functions to help Command

Question 19

Why is the “Transfer of Command” done?

Answer 19

To improve quality of Command organization.

Question 20

What are the benefits of an upgraded Command Post?

Answer 20

• Provide IC #2 with a support officer
• Establish an ISO (FIT)
• IC #2 has wider view of the fireground
• Improves Communication
• Creates lighted, dry place for IC #2 to operate in

Question 21

Why should you not “pass Command” to a unit not yet on scene?

Answer 21

It creates a gap in the Command process and compromises incident management.

Question 22

During the Transfer of Command, what will the new IC be briefed on?

Answer 22

• Incident conditions (status, plan, safety issues, completed Tactical Objectives)
• Deployment of companies
• any additional resource needs

Question 23

When will Command be passed to an IMT?

Answer 23

Only when a formal written Delegation of Authority is signed by both the JHA and the IMT.

Question 24

As an incident escalates, what should IC use Command Officers for?

Answer 24

To fill Sector (Division), branch, and section positions.

Question 25

When should Command consider adding a Command Officer to the incident?

Answer 25

When there are 3 or more operating companies.

Question 26

What does strengthening the Command organization do?

Answer 26

- improves safety - decreases span of control - improves communication - improves accountability - improves Sector management

Question 27

When there are no working incidents, who is responsible for initiating the ICS?

Answer 27

The Alarm Room BC and Supervisor share the responsibility.

Question 28

What is a Command Team?

Answer 28

An organizational response to quickly provide enough command and control, to quickly bring a SIGNIFICANT incident under control.

Question 29

Who are the primary players in the Command Team?

Answer 29

- IC - Support Officer - Senior Advisor

Question 30

What is the responsibility of the Senior Advisor?

Answer 30

To give direction/guidance to IC and/or support officer.

Question 31

To be effective, where must the Senior Advisor be?

Answer 31

In the Command Post with IC and support officer (they make up the Command Team).

Question 32

How fast is the Command organization developed?

Answer 32

At a pace that stays ahead of the deployment of personnel.

Question 33

What 3 levels make up the basic configuration of Command?

Answer 33

- Strategic (chooses strategy, IAP, assigns resources - Tactical (1st mgt subdivision, done by assigning sectors - Task (Level of org where work is done)

Question 34

What activity accomplishes completion of Tactical Objectives?

Answer 34

Task level activities.

Question 35

What part of the Functions of Command, is the Incident Organization?

Answer 35

The part that IC uses to track, communicate with and account for resources, to meet incident objectives.

Question 36

What is a Sector?

Answer 36

Smaller, more manageable unit of incident scene.

Question 37

What is Sectoring?

Answer 37

System of dividing incident Command into smaller units.

Question 38

When will IC assign a BC and FIT to a Sector?

Answer 38

Whenever there are 3 or more companies operating in a Sector.

Question 39

In the Command structure, what is Span of Control?

Answer 39

The max number of Sectors IC can manage (5 to 7).

Question 40

How are Sectors assigned?

Answer 40

By geographic location or function.

Question 41

How are Divisions assigned?

Answer 41

By geographic location.

Question 42

How are groups assigned?

Answer 42

By function.

Question 43

What happens when the number of Sectors exceeds the span of control that IC can manage?

Answer 43

The incident organization is broken down into Branches.

Question 44

What does utilizing Sectors provide for the IC and members on scene?

Answer 44

- reduces span of control - more effective communications - provides a number of major support functions - **improves firefighter safety**

Question 45

In what instances, should Command assign Sectors?

Answer 45

- **when assigned personnel may exceed span of control - **IC forecasts incident exceeding span of control - complex operations - special hazards that require close control - **sector according to its geo location or function

Question 46

When establishing a Sector, what will IC assign each Sector Officer?

Answer 46

- Tactical Objectives - a radio designation - the ID of crews assigned to the Sector

Question 47

During offensive fires, what is the max span of control for a Sector Officer?

Answer 47

5 companies.

Question 48

During defensive fires, what is the max span of control for a Sector Officer?

Answer 48

7 companies.

Question 49

How are functional sector identified?

Answer 49

By function (loss control sector, ventilation sector, safety sector).

Question 50

What is the physical position of a Sector Officer?

Answer 50

Must be in a position to directly supervise and monitor operations (if going into the hazard zone, must be with a partner, such as a FIT).

Question 51

What is the primary function of a Company Officer working within a sector?

Answer 51

To manage ops of assigned crews, in performing an assigned task.

Question 52

What is the Branch Level of an incident responsible for?

Answer 52

Coordinating between Sectors and Command.

Question 53

When Branch Level is initiated, where does it sit in the incident organization?

Answer 53

- Strategic Level: IC - Coordination Level: Branch Officers - Tactical Level: Sector Officers - Task Level: Company Officers

Question 54

When will Branch Officers be utilized?

Answer 54

Normally at very large incidents that involve 2 or more major components.

Question 55

What are Section Officers responsible for?

Answer 55

They assist the IC Staff with the long term mgt of an incident (operate at Strategic Level).

Question 56

On large scale incidents, the Fire Dept's needs on scene are divided into 4 sections. What are they?

Answer 56

- Logistics: accountability and support (stuff) - Planning: gathers/processes info (clearing house) - Operations: tactical priorities/safety/welfare of ops - Administrative: manages risks/financial needs for scene

Question 57

Majority of incidents can be managed without an Ops officer. A) If operations officer is located at the command post, what would the radio designation be? B) What would designation be if located at a forward position?

Answer 57

A) Command. B) Operations.

Question 58

In a large scale incident, where are the IC and Operations Officer posted?

Answer 58

In the Command Post together.