1. 4 Incident Management System

2. 2 Objectives (1 of 2) Describe the characteristics of the incident management system. Explain the organization of the incident management system. Function within an assigned role within the incident management system. 4

3. 3 Objectives (2 of 2) Organize and coordinate an incident management system until command is transferred. Transfer command within an incident management system. 4

4. 4 Introduction IMS is a management structure. –Based on business management principles IMS should be used for all operations and training. IMS is a concept or model. –Variations exist. –Every fire fighter must know it thoroughly. 4

5. 5 History of IMS (1 of 3) Pre-1970s –Every fire department had its own methods of incident management. –Organization often depended on the style of the chief on duty. –Such an approach was not expandable. 4

6. 6 History of IMS (2 of 3) 1970s –FIRESCOPE Established in response to several large-scale wildland fires in California Developed first standard Incident Command System (ICS) –Fireground Command System Initially developed for day-to-day department incidents, but could be expanded 4

7. 7 History of IMS (3 of 3) 1980s –FIRESCOPE ICS adopted by all federal and most state wildland firefighting agencies –Several federal regulations and consensus standards adopted Present –IMS is best of ICS and FGC 4

8. 8 Characteristics of the IMS Jurisdictional authority All risk and all hazard system Everyday applicability Unity of command Span of control Modular organization Common terminology Integrated communications Consolidated action plans Designated incident facilities Resource management 4

9. 9 Jurisdictional Authority Clearly defines the agency that will be in charge When there are overlapping responsibilities, IMS may employ a unified command. 4

10. 10 All-Risk/All-Hazard System IMS works equally well at all types of incidents. –Emergencies –Non-emergency events 4

11. 11 Everyday Applicability IMS can be used for everyday operations as well as major incidents. Regular use of IMS builds familiarity with procedures and terminology. 4

12. 12 Each person has only one supervisor. All orders and assignments come from that supervisor. Unity of Command 4

13. 13 The number of subordinates a supervisor has In most situations, three to seven is the most one person can manage. In IMS, span of control should be limited to five. Span of Control 4

14. 14 Modular Organization IMS is designed to be modular. Not every component must be used. Additional components can be added as needed. 4

15. 15 Common Terminology Terminology is common and consistent within and among agencies in the IMS. Common terminology eliminates confusion. –“Tanker”: water supply apparatus or aircraft? 4

16. 16 Integrated Communications Communications supported up and down the chain of command Messages must move efficiently through the system. 4

17. 17 Consolidated Incident Action Plans Everyone follows one overall plan. May be developed by the IC alone at small incidents Developed in collaboration with all agencies involved on larger incidents 4

18. 18 Designated Incident Facilities Required facilities established according to the IMS plan Includes standard designations for commonly needed facilities, such as: –Rehabilitation sector –Command post –Staging area 4

19. 19 Resource Management Standard system of assigning and tracking resources involved on the incident In structural firefighting, basic units are companies. 4

20. 20 The IMS Organization Positions are staffed as needed. IC position must be filled at every incident. 4

21. 21 Command The IC is ultimately responsible for managing the incident. Command is established by the first unit on scene. 4

22. 22 Unified Command Used when agencies overlap Representatives from each agency cooperate to share command authority. 4

23. 23 Command Post Headquarters location for the incident Should be in a nearby, protected location –Enables command staff to function without distractions or interruptions 4

24. 24 Command Staff (1 of 2) Safety Officer –Responsible for the safety of all personnel –Can stop or suspend unsafe operations Liaison Officer –The IC’s point of contact for outside agencies Public Information Officer –Gathers and releases incident information to the news media 4

25. 25 Command Staff (2 of 2) 4

26. 26 General Staff IC may appoint people to oversee parts of the operation. Four section chiefs for the major IMS components: –Operations –Planning –Logistics –Finance Administration 4

27. 27 Operations Responsible for all actions that are directly related to controlling the incident –Fire suppression –Rescue –EMS Conducted in accordance with an Incident Action Plan (IAP) 4

28. 28 Planning Responsible for the collection, evaluation, dissemination, and use of information relevant to the incident Also responsible for developing and updating the IAP 4

29. 29 Logistics Responsible for providing supplies, services, facilities, and materials during the incident 4

30. 30 Finance/Administration Responsible for accounting and financial aspects of an incident Responsible for any legal issues that may arise Not staffed at most incidents 4

31. 31 Standard IMS Concepts and Terminology A common language is essential for different agencies to work together toward a goal. A common language eliminates wasting time due to miscommunication. 4

32. 32 IMS Terminology Single Resources and Crews Divisions, Groups, and Sectors Branches Location Designators Task Forces and Strike Teams 4

33. 33 Single Resources and Crews Single resource –A vehicle and its assigned personnel Crew –Groups of fire fighters working without apparatus 4

34. 34 Divisions, Groups, and Sectors Division –Companies/crews working in the same geographic area Group –Companies/crews working on the same task or objective Sector –Companies/crews assigned by geography or function 4

35. 35 Branches Higher level of combined resources working on a particular aspect of the overall emergency A branch director can oversee several divisions, groups, and/or sectors. 4

36. 36 Location Designators Identify different parts of a fire scene –Sides Units at Side A are “Division A” –Exposures Closest exposure takes same designator as side –Floors Floor number is designator 4

37. 37 Task Forces and Strike Teams (1 of 2) Groups of single resources assigned to work together Task force –Up to five single resources of any type 4

38. 38 Task Forces and Strike Teams (2 of 2) Strike team –Five units of the same type working on a common task or function 4

39. 39 Implementing IMS Modular design allows organization to expand, based on needs. Tasks are defined in advance. Most frequently used components: –Divisions –Groups –Sectors 4

40. 40 Standard Position Titles (1 of 2) Clarify roles within the IMS organization Title includes functional/geographic area, followed by designator. 4

41. 41 Standard Position Titles (2 of 2) 4

42. 42 Working within the IMS Every fire fighter must understand the IMS and his/her role within it. Three basic components: –Someone is in command of every incident. –You always report to one supervisor. –The company officer reports to the IC. 4

43. 43 Responsibilities of First- Arriving Fire Fighters IMS organization built around the units that take initial action Company officers need to assume command until relieved by a higher- ranking officer. 4

44. 44 Assuming Command The officer of the first-in unit is automatically in command. This is formally announced on the radio. An initial report should be given as well. 4

45. 45 Confirmation of Command Initial radio report lets everyone know that command has been established. An incident identifier should be chosen. Passing command –First-in unit can pass command to second-in if conditions warrant it –Second-in unit MUST assume command 4

46. 46 Transfer of Command One person relinquishes command to another. Current situation status report is given to the new IC. Information transfer must be complete and accurate. 4

47. 47 Situation Status Report Information Tactical priorities Action plans Hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions Accomplishments Assessment of effectiveness of operations Current status of resources –Additional resource requirements 4

48. 48 Command Transfer Rationale Transfer of command determined by a variety of factors: –Complexity of the incident –Officer’s level of experience –Involvement of multiple agencies 4

49. 49 Summary (1 of 2) IMS is applicable to incidents of any size. All functions in the IMS must be addressed at every incident. –On smaller incidents, this may only require one person to handle all functions. 4

50. 50 Summary (2 of 2) The IC has ultimate responsibility to meet incident requirements. All fire fighters must understand the IMS and what their role in an IMS is. 4