All persons in the operation have a designated supervisor to whom they report at the scene of the incident
Unity of command
The number of personnel one supervisor can effectively manage. The range is 2-7, 5 is optimal
Span of control
An organized structure where command components are used as needed and expandable according to complexity and the size of incident
Modular organization
I commanded action, or operating outside of the established fire attack plan, operational guidelines, or operating protocols
Freelancing
A process to identify, acquire, mobilize, track, recover and demobilize, reimburse, and inventory necessary resources
Resource management
Largest events, led by a special federal-trained overhead team brought to manage very large operations. Typically conducted over long operational periods, usually lasting weeks or months
Type 1
Also federal large scale events, but require smaller management team, fewer resources, and less time to bring under control
Type 2
Operations to manage resources on a statewide level
Type 3
Operations for localized incidents, may include the use of local mutual, automatic or assisting agency response to successfully mitigate the incident
Type 4
Smallest local incidents, may be represented by single company response to a trash, bush or vehicle fire
Type 5
The IC sets the overall incident strategy, develops and manages the incident action plan (IAP), and assigns and controls the position and function of all incidents
Strategic level
Individual companies produce task-level work. When multiple companies operate at an incident scene, their coordinated tasks combine to make up the tactics. Ex. Ladder company ventilating roof so engine companies can operate interior
Tactical level
Performed by firefighters, where work actually gets done. These combined efforts complete the tactical priorities.
Task level
Composed of resources of the same kind and type
(Search team of 5 firefighters, vent team of 3 firefighters)
Strike team
Any combination and number of single resources assembled for a particular tactical need
(Fire attack of 4 pumpers and 2 ladders)
Task force
Is responsible for collecting and evaluating incident incident situation information, preparing situation status reports, displaying situation information, maintaining resource status, developing IAP, and preparing required incident-relating docs.
What units are in the this section?
Planning section
Resources, situation, documentation
Responsible for providing services and suppose to meet all incident needs
What units are in this section?
Logistics section
Communications, medical, food, supply, ground support, facilities (incident command post, staging areas, bases, camps, helispots)
Responsible for monitoring incident-related costs and administering any necessary procurement contracts.
What units are in this section?
Finance/administration sections
Time, procurement, compensation/claims, cost
