Incident Command

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

PURPOSE:

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

PROCEDURE:

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 2nd bullet point in "Passing Command" section 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.
• Once Command has been established, radio communications shall be coordinated through Command as required..
• Command should utilize a tactical board and on-scene tracking of personnel and unit status. The IC should consider designating an officer to establish a division or group to maintain an acceptable span of control..

Passing Command

• Passing Command should be reserved for circumstances that require rapid intervention on the part of the first arriving units. The first arriving officer shall have the autonomy to determine the need of this tactic.
• Passing Command does not relieve the initial officer of their duties relating to initial size-up and mode of operations. (Reference SOG 210.01 General Fire Suppression Operations).
• Upon arrival, an initial onscene report should be given. If the need to pass Command is determined, the officer shall announce they are “Passing Command”, mode of operation and reason.
• The next arriving officer should then establish Command.
• If Command has been established and updated information is gathered that requires a change in mode of operation, passing Command can be utilized.

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.
  • 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 board.
  • Arrival of a chief 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 may assume Command of a second alarm (or greater) fire.
    • In the formal transfer of Command, once the face to face is completed and the tactical board reviewed, Command will notify Dispatch of the transfer, i.e.,
      • “Battalion 45 Orange County 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 applicable ICS position.
  • This process for transfer of Command can be utilized for either the escalation or demobilization of the incident

Terminating Command

• Command should be terminated when the incident has de-escalated to a point where units begin 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.”

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.