Difference between revisions of "Incident Command"

Revision as of 06:10, 21 February 2016

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

110.01 Incident Command

PURPOSE:

• Provide guidance for establishing, passing, transferring and terminating command at an emergency scene utilizing the Incident Command System “ICS”.

PROCEDURE:

2.1 Establishing Command

• • Any incident involving two or more companies requires formal activation of the Incident Command System.
  • An incident which requires only the response of one company, and is not expected to escalate beyond the commitment of this company, does not require the use of the Incident Command System.
  • The first unit to arrive at the scene should establish command, unless command is passed in accordance to section 2.2 of this guideline. (In most situations, it is not necessary for a Rescue unit to establish command due to the short response times of our suppression units.) (The focus of a Rescue unit as the first arriving unit to a scene should be on scene size up, recon and triage.) The initial Incident Commander (IC) should remain in command and direct activities until command is transferred or the incident is stabilized and terminated.
  • Command is established as follows:
    1. First unit or command officer arrives on the scene and performs size-up. He/she determines the need to establish command.
    2. Command is established over the radio by contacting Dispatch, advising that command is established and by naming the command. Example - “Orange County, Engine 45 is establishing Maitland Avenue Command.”
  • One of the key elements to naming the command is to make the name specific to the incident, yet as short and as brief as possible.
  • All on-scene and responding units need to be aware when command has been established and network their communications through command as required.
  • Command should utilize a tactical board and on-scene tracking of personnel and unit status. The IC should appoint Command Staff and establish division/group officers as needed to maintain an acceptable span of control.
• 2.2 Passing Command
  • Circumstances may be encountered that require rapid intervention on the part of the first arriving crews. These situations could include a report of trapped victims, or a fire requiring a fast knockdown to protect a stairway or other means of egress.
  • The first arriving officer has the option of working with their company in a fast attack mode or passing Command to the next arriving officer. However, this does not relieve the initial officer of his/her duties relating to initial size-up and command decisions.
  • Upon arrival, a report should be given to Dispatch. As part of this arrival report, the officer should announce “Passing Command.” At this point, Command should not be named or established. The officer may elect to designate his crew according to their function in anticipation of working within the Incident Command System.
    Example - “Engine 45 will be Fire Attack Group.”
  • The next arriving officer should then designate and establish Command.
  • Officers are encouraged to establish Command as a matter of routine, and should use the “Passing Command” mode only when the officer is needed to perform other critical functions.
• 2.3 Transferring Command
• As an emergency escalates or de-escalates, there may be a need to transfer command. The following guidelines outline the procedures for transferring command.
  • The Company Officer or Incident Commander should have command established and, when possible, use a vehicle command post. As soon as is practical, the necessary tactical worksheet should be started for tracking of on-scene personnel and units.
  • Command is transferred, when practical, after a face to face briefing, to include current situation, current unit placements, assignments, and a review of the tactical worksheet.
  • Arrival of a senior ranking officer on a scene does not automatically cause command to be transferred. Assumption of command is based on several factors, including potential escalation of the incident, personnel limitations, IC capabilities, etc. A chief officer would be expected to assume command of second alarm (or greater) fires.
  • In formally transferring command, once the face to face is completed and the tactical worksheet reviewed, Command will notify Dispatch of the transfer, i.e.
    “Orange County, Battalion 45 assuming Maitland Avenue Command.”
  • It may be advantageous to have the officer being relieved remain with the new Incident Commander, in the role of IC Aide or Operations Section Officer, since the initial action plan was established by this officer.
  • This formal process for transfer of command should be utilized both as the emergency escalates, and in the demobilization phase as situations are brought under control. “Maitland Ave. Command, Battalion 45 available - transferring Maitland Ave. Command to Engine 45.”
• 2.4 Terminating Command
• Command should be terminated when the incident has de-escalated to a point where all units have returned to service. The Incident Commander should complete the following prior to terminating command:
  • Survey the incident scene to insure that it has de-escalated to a point where Command can safely and effectively be terminated. The same standard used for establishing Command applies to terminating Command. If two or more units are still on scene, Command should remain in place.
  • Contact Dispatch and advise them that Command has been terminated and that you are in service from the incident. “Maitland Ave. Command, command terminated, Engine 45 available.”
• 2.5 Fire Watch
• Upon completion of operations at a fire scene, the Incident Commander (IC) may implement a fire watch to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished. The fire watch should be implemented using the following guidelines:
  • Prior to leaving a fire scene, the IC should conduct an inspection to verify that overhaul activities have exposed all potential hidden fires. Mattresses and overstuffed furnishings, after exposure to fire, should be removed from structures completely. Blown-in cellulose insulation in particular presents a major rekindle hazard. Consideration should be given to aggressively pulling ceilings to detect smoldering fires in this situation.
  • If a fire scene does not pose any future threat to life safety and/or property, the IC may waive the fire watch requirement. The rationale for this decision should be documented in the narrative section of the fire report.
  • If a fire scene does pose a possible threat to life safety and/or property, an engine company should be assigned to visit and inspect the fire scene periodically. The times and conditions noted on such visits should be recorded in the unit narrative of the fire report.
  • If a fire scene poses a significant threat to life safety and/or property, an engine company (or companies) should be assigned to provide a continuous fire watch. Conditions on scene will dictate whether or not the unit can remain available on scene. The conditions noted and actions taken should be recorded in the unit narrative of the fire report.