FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION

INTERMEDIATE:SFFMA OBJ – 1-02.01 – 1-02.05

16hrs credit received

Reasons for Incident Command1. Standardized organizational structures, processes,

and procedures2. Standards of planning, training and exercising,

and personnel qualification standards3. Equipment acquisitions and certification standards4. Interoperable communications processes,

procedures, and systems5. Information management systems6. Supporting technologies – voice and data

communications systems, information systems, data display systems, and specialized technologies

Five Functional Areas

Incident Command ResponsibilitiesUltimately responsible for all incident

activities, including the development and implementation of an Incident Action Plan (IAP)

Authority to call resources to the incident and to release them from it

IC may delegate authority to the Command Staff

Command StaffSafety Officer

Monitors incident operations and advises the IC on all matters related to operational safety, including health and safety emergency responder personnel

Liaison OfficerPoint of contact for other governmental and

nongovernmental agencies and private sector organizations involved in the incident

Public Information Officer Responsible for interfacing with the public and

media

4 Functional Areas of IC1. Operations Section Chief (Ops)

Reports directly to the IC and is responsible for all activities focused on reducing the immediate hazard, saving lives and property

Ops directs the tactical operations to meet the strategic goal of the IAP

In large scale ops, Ops is responsible for staging area

4 Functional Areas of IC2. Logistics Section Chief (Logistics)

Responsible for all support requirements needed to facilitate effective and efficient incident management

Included is ordering resources from off-incident locations

3. Planning Section Chief (Plans) Responsible for the collection, documentation,

evaluation, and dissemination of incident situation information and intelligence to the IC

Tracks the status off all resources assigned to the incident and for developing the IAP for review and approval by the IC

4 Functional Areas of IC4. Finance Section Chief (Finance)

Established when the agencies involved require finance and other administrative support

Not all incidents require Finance Officer

Firefighter I

ICS Terms

Assigned — Resources currently committed

Available — Resources checked-in and not assigned

Branch — Organizational level between Divisions/Groups and the IC and operations

1–9

(Continued)

Firefighter I

ICS Terms

Command — Function of directing, ordering, and controlling resources

Command Post — Location from which all incident operation are directed

Division — A geographic designation assigning responsibility for all operations within a defined area

1–10

(Continued)

Firefighter I

ICS Terms

Group — A functional designationIncident Action Plan (IAP) — Written or

unwritten plan for managing the emergency

Incident Commander (IC) — Officer in overall charge of the incident

1–11

(Continued)

Firefighter I

ICS Terms

Out-of-service — Resources not availableResources — All personnel and major

pieces of apparatus on scene or en route

1–12

(Continued)

Firefighter I

ICS Terms

Resource Status — Resources are in one of three status modes:AvailableAssignedOut-of-service

1–13

(Continued)

Firefighter I

ICS Terms

Single Resource — Individual personnel and equipment teams

Strike Team — Set number of resources of the same kind and type

Strategic Mode — Determines positions for companies: offensive and defensive

1–14

(Continued)

Firefighter I

ICS Terms

Supervisor — Someone in command of a division or a group

Task Force — Any combination of resources assembled in support of a specific mission

1–15

Firefighter I

Interaction With Emergency Medical Services

If fire department personnel do not provide EMS or medical transportation, they should develop a relationship with those who do

Firefighters must have appropriate level of first-aid training

1–16

Firefighter I

Interaction With Hospitals

May operate ambulances and provide EMS; usually do not

Hospital personnel may be called to an emergency sceneMass casualty incidentsAdvanced life supportSerious entrapment

1–17

Firefighter I

Interaction With Law Enforcement

Law enforcement and fire personnel must understand each other’s roles and priorities

Law enforcement may be present at fire scene

Firefighters may assist law enforcement

1–18

Firefighter I

Interaction With Utility Companies

Many incidents involve utility providers (electricity, natural gas, and water) so fire personnel must have a good working relationship

1–19

(Continued)

Firefighter I

Interaction With Utility Companies

Fire units must coordinate with utilities on mutual responses

May have specially trained and equipped emergency response teams

1–20

Firefighter I

Interaction With Media

NIMS-ICS includes a Public Information Officer for dealing with the media

Students should not make comments or express opinions; refer to PIO

Can play an important role in delivery of news based on an incident

1–21

Firefighter I

Interaction With Other Agencies

Any possible contacts should be identified and a relationship establishedExamples: Public health departments, coroner/medical examiner’s officers, EPA

1–22

Practical ExerciseInstructor led ICS Scenario Trainer

Ensure all sections of ICS System are emplaced