1. United States Fire Administration Chief Officers Training Curriculum Operations Module 3: Incident Action Plan (IAP)/Planning

2. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-2 Objectives  Identify units within the planning section  Identify the roles and responsibilities within each unit  Explain the planning process

3. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-3 Overview  Planning section is the “nerve center” of successfully organized incident  Intuitive mental process—small incidents  More conscious thought process—major disasters

4. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-4 Overview (continued) Commanders:  Use assistant to document resources and record this placement/actions  Require input from technical specialists: –Haz Mat –US&R –Environmental issues

5. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-5 The Planning Section Section responsibilities include:  Collection, evaluation, and dissemination of tactical information

6. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-6 Other section responsibilities include:  Preparing incident-related documentation  Collecting incident information / intelligence and developing an action plan  Providing a primary location for technical specialists The Planning Section (continued)

7. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-7 The Incident Action Plan (IAP)  Planning’s documentation unit responsible for preparing IAP  ICS requires a plan for every incident

8. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-8 The Verbal IAP  Simple (or small) incidents of short duration  Developed by the IC  Communicated to subordinates through verbal briefing  Typically used for every response

9. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-9 The Written IAP  Complicated (or large) incidents of long duration  Incidents of an unusual nature  Two or more jurisdictions involved  Several incident organizational elements have been activated

10. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-10 The Written IAP (continued)  Contains command decisions  Provides clear statement of objectives and actions  Prepared for specific operational period

11. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-11 Operational Periods Duration determined by:  Time needed to achieve tactical objectives  Availability of fresh resources  Environment  Personnel safety

12. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-12 IAP Development Develop early enough to ensure:  Completion of written plan  Availability and briefing of additional resources

13. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-13 Planning Section Chief  One of four general staff positions appointed by and reporting to the IC  May have a deputy  Determines need to activate/ deactivate planning section units

14. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-14 Planning Section Units Four primary units exist:  Resource  Situation  Documentation  Demobilization

15. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-15 Resource Unit  Maintains status on all resources (equipment and personnel) assigned to incident

16. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-16 Situation Unit  Collects and processes information on the current situation  Prepares situation displays and summaries  Develops maps  Provides projections for future situations)

17. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-17 Documentation Unit  Prepares IAP  Maintains accurate, up-to- date incident files (on incident-related documentation)  Provides duplication services

18. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-18 Demobilization Unit  Ensures orderly, safe, and cost-effective movement of personnel  Develops incident demobilization plan  Single-agency and/or smaller incidents may not require written plan or demob unit  Larger incidents require demob unit established early

19. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-19 Technical Specialists  Report to and work within Planning Section  May be reassigned wherever needed  Often assigned to situation unit (if needed for short time only)  May have own unit established

20. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-20 Information and Intelligence Unit  Appropriate in an incident with some need for tactical intelligence  When no law enforcement entity is a member of the Unified Command

21. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-21 The Planning Process  Includes all steps taken by IC to produce IAP  Begins with rapid planning effort of initial response IC  Improved by implementing formalized steps and staffing needed for IAP development

22. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-22 Applying ICS to an Incident Apply ICS when:  Planning for event or possible incident  Reacting to unexpected event or incident

23. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-23 Planned Events/Possible Incidents  Easiest to prepare for  Planners: – Must know as much as possible about event – Build an organizational structure to meet need – Establish exactly what is required—before event

24. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-24 Planning Stage Considerations include:  Type of event  Location/size/duration  Single or multi-agency  Single or multijurisdiction  Command staff needs  Kind, type, number of resources

25. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-25 Planning Stage (continued) Considerations include:  Staging areas  Other required facilities  Kind and type of logistical support  Known limitations or restrictions  Communications available

26. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-26 Unexpected Major Incidents  Most common  Characterized by: –Time pressure – Scarce/specialized resource needs – Rapid expansion of incident – Overloaded communications – Incomplete information – Inexperienced on-scene staff

27. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-27 Unexpected Major Incidents (continued)  Staff experienced in control but inexperienced in expanded incidents  Require immediate action  First-responding units take initial steps to provide organization

28. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-28 Any Incident  Size up the situation  Determine if human life at immediate risk  Establish immediate objectives  Determine number and kind of resources  Develop action plan

29. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-29 Any Incident (continued)  Establish initial organization  Consider span-of-control limits  Ensure personnel safety  Determine environmental issues  Monitor work progress  Review/modify objectives (and adjust plan)

30. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-30 Transfer of Command Incoming IC is briefed and performs assessment of incident with initial response IC.

31. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-31 Incoming IC Briefing Covers:  Incident history  Initial priorities and objectives  Current plan  Resource assignments  Incident organization  Resource ordering/needed

32. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-32 Incoming IC Briefing (continued) Covers:  Facilities established  Status of communications  Constraints or limitations  Incident potential  Delegation of authority

33. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-33 Command Worksheet/Initial Written IAP  Verbal for small, uncomplicated incidents  Command worksheet at the Bn.  Chief vehicle on larger, complex or unusual incidents

34. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-34 Command Worksheet/ICS Form 201 Contains the following information:  Map sketch  Summary of current objectives and actions  Current organization  Resources summary

35. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-35 ICS Form 201  Is used on initial attack wildfires  Serves the same purpose as the command worksheet  Used to move from a verbal to written IAP  Only IAP used for first operational period

36. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-36 Expanded, Written IAP  For large, complex, or unusual events  Many ICS functional groups contribute  Initial IC may have started  Composed of series of ICS forms

37. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-37 Transferring Command  Method #1: – Incoming IMT briefed by initial IC – IMT then takes over the incident  Method #2: – Incoming IMT phases in for several hours; then takes over the incident

38. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-38 Transferring Command (continued)  Method #3: – Incoming IMT sits in on present team's planning meeting – IAP preparation takes place jointly – New team briefs and takes over next operational period

39. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-39 Unit/Activity Log  Every resource maintains this log  Documents individual unit actions to: – Assist in developing after-action report – Justify state and Federal financial reimbursement  Collected during demobilization

40. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-40 Consists of eight sequential steps: 1. Understanding situation 2. Establishing incident objectives 3. Developing tactical direction and resource assignments 4. Conducting planning meeting Incident Action Plan Cycle

41. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-41 Consists of eight sequential steps: 5. Preparing plan 6. Conducting operations briefing 7. Implementing plan 8. Evaluating plan Incident Action Plan Cycle (continued)

42. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-42 Understanding the Situation Involves knowing:  What has occurred  Progress made  Effectiveness (of current plan)  If incident will expand (or get smaller)  Present (and future) resource and organizational needs

43. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-43 Developing Control Objectives Incident Priorities:  Life safety  Incident stabilization  Environmental protection  Property conservation

44. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-44 Lloyd Layman’s Seven Strategies RECEO VS  Rescue  Exposures  Confine  Extinguish  Overhaul  Ventilation  Salvage

45. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-45 Objectives must be:  Attainable  Measurable  Flexible and broad Establishing Incident Control Objectives

46. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-46  Mitigate, stabilize, or isolate all hazards that could cause personal injury within city limits  Evacuate all residents from projected flood area by 1400 hours  Search all damaged structures within city limits for casualties by 1600 hours Sample Control Objectives

47. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-47  Work assignments that need to be accomplished by operations resources to complete a control objective  Can be written as a strategy—answers what needs to be done  Can be written as a tactic—answers how it will be accomplished Control Operations (Work Assignments)

48. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-48 Developing Control Operations  The operations section chief collaborates with the IC on control objectives  Develops the control operations (work assignments) to achieve the control objectives

49. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-49 Control operations:  Developed around specific operational period  Must have measurable results Developing Control Operations (continued)

50. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-50 State control operations in terms of accomplishments that can be achieved realistically within the operational period. Developing Control Operations (continued)

51. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-51 Resource Assignments  Assign for each specific work task  Consist of kind and number of resources needed to achieve tactical operations

52. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-52 Sample Control Operations For “mitigate, stabilize, isolate all hazards that could cause personal injury”:  Control operations #1: Haz mat units monitor damaged properties for flammable or hazardous material leaks—take corrective actions Or…  Control operation #2: First responders use fire line tape to isolate damaged properties that could cause further serious injury

53. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-53 Sample Control Operations (continued) Or…  Control operation #3: Stabilize all unsafe structures that will require entry by the public or incident personnel Or…  Control operation #4: Structural engineers shall identify unsafe structures for entry and provide technical assistance on staging.

54. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-54 Conducting a Planning Meeting Purpose: to capture information to develop IAP for next operational period

55. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-55 Conducting a Planning Meeting (continued)  Planning section chief leads meeting  Usually held twice daily: – 0900 hours – 2100 hours  Decisions driven by operations section requests

56. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-56 Meeting steps: 1. Brief on situation and resource status 2. Set control objectives 3. Plot control lines, establish division boundaries, identify group assignments 4. Specify division tactics 5. Specify division/group resources Conducting a Planning Meeting (continued)

57. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-57 Meeting steps: 6. Specify operations facilities and reporting locations 7. Place order for resources and personnel 8. Consider communications, medical, and traffic plan requirements 9. Finalize/approve/implement IAP Conducting a Planning Meeting (continued)

58. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-58 Operational Planning Worksheet  Developed to support planning process  Used in planning meeting to develop tactical assignments and needed resources  Used to prepare resource request for next operational period  Often enlarged for meeting use

59. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-59 Conducting a Planning Meeting (continued) Before the meeting, IC or unified command negotiate use of resources, strategies, and costs.

60. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-60 Preparing the Plan  IMT sections adjourn to complete their portions of plan  Documentation unit responsible for preparing and duplicating IAP for each operational period

61. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-61 Preparing the Plan (continued) Seven essential elements of IAP:  ICS Form 202  ICS Form 203  ICS Form 204  ICS Form 205  ICS Form 206  Incident Map  Traffic Plan

62. ICS Form 202

63. ICS Form 203

64. ICS Form 204

65. ICS Form 205

66. ICS Form 206

67. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-67  Completed forms sent to planning section, which assembles document  All forms to planning no later than 2400 hours (or 1200 hours for the day shift)  By 0400 hours, IC should review/approve plan Preparing the Plan (continued)

68. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-68  Planning section prepares copies of IAP  Distributes at next operations briefing  At a minimum, copies provided down to division/group level Preparing the Plan (continued)

69. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-69  IAP documents everything oncoming shift needs to know  Oncoming shift reviews new IAP with off-going shift at the shift change Preparing the Plan (continued)

70. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-70 Conducting an Operations Briefing  Written IAP reviewed at operational briefing with oncoming shift  Typical for two operational periods to exist –Two, 12-hour operational periods per 24- hour day

71. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-71 Conducting an Operations Briefing (continued) Off-going shift attendees include:  IC  General staff  Command staff  Key technical specialists  Communications unit leader  Situation unit leader  Other positions (as requested by IC)

72. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-72 Conducting an Operations Briefing (continued) Oncoming shift attendees include:  IC (still the same person)  General Staff  Command Staff  Branch, division, group, and unit overhead personnel  Technical specialists  Agency representatives

73. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-73 Operations Briefing Agenda 16 basic items: 1. Introduction/welcome 2. Incident objective 3. Incident activities (past operational period) 4. Current and predicted weather 5. Incident boundaries, division breaks, group locations, drop points, etc.

74. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-74 6. Division assignment lists 7. Incident radio communications plan 8. Safety message 9. Medical plan 10. Air operations summary Operations Briefing Agenda (continued)

75. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-75 11. Incident logistics issues 12. Incident finance/administration issues 13. Agency representative's issues 14. Media and incident information issues 15. Technical issues (by technical specialists) 16. Conclusion and direction of operations personnel to respective briefing sites Operations Briefing Agenda (continued)

76. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-76 Implementing the IAP  Small incidents: – IC responsible for implementing verbal plan  Large incidents: – General staff responsible for implementing portions of written plan

77. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-77 Implementing the IAP (continued) Following operations briefing:  Oncoming shift division/group supervisors: – Receive their briefings – Relieve the off-going supervisors  Oncoming supervisors: –Brief and put to work resources assigned to their areas (using the IAP) –Use IAP mostly for reference thereafter

78. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-78 Evaluating the Plan If personnel find deficiencies, they:  Improve directions  Provide additional resources  Modify tactical operations  Make changes to the next operational period The operations section chief may change tactical operations to accomplish an objective.

79. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-79 Planning for Incident Demobilization  For small (day-to-day) incidents, demobilization planning: – Is relatively simple – Does not require a written plan  Larger incidents require a written plan

80. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-80 Incident Demobilization (continued) Release priorities:  Determined by all organization elements  Made only after full understanding of long-term incident needs

81. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-81 Pre-Incident IAPs  If anticipated, IMT should have pre- incident IAP completed before disaster  Document fleshed out/completed after IMT briefed by initial IC

82. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-82 Pre-Incident IAPs (continued)  May have for every type of major incident/disaster  Can be loaded into computer-based IAP programs

83. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-83 Activity 3.1 Pre-Incident Planning

84. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-84 Activity 3.2 Incident Action Planning

85. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-85 Module Summary  Preparation and pre-incident planning ensure all contingencies have been anticipated and use of resources maximized  Major incidents require fully expanded ICS organization

86. United States Fire Administration Ops 3-86 Module Summary (continued)  Written plan critical to ensure objectives, strategies, and tactics communicated to all incident personnel  IAP not only communicates incident objectives but provides for safety and support of personnel