TN 104.1.6- Transfer of Command

Incident Command Structure

• The size and nature of the emergency incident dictate who the Incident Commander (IC) will be at any given time.
• The first arriving Officer may not be the IC in larger incidents that require more capabilities and span of control.

Transfer of Command Procedure

• Transfer of Command involves face-to-face communication between Officers, or via radio if necessary.
• The new IC must receive the following information from the previous IC:
  • General situation status
  • Incident conditions
  • Operational strategy update
  • Tactical objectives
  • Safety considerations
  • Deployment status (assignment of personnel already on scene and additional resource requirements)
• If the new IC cannot locate or communicate with the previous IC, they will announce assumption of Command.

When to Transfer Command

• Command is transferred to improve the effectiveness of the Command organization.
• The arrival of a higher-ranking Officer does not automatically mean that Transfer of Command has occurred.
• Transfer of Command may occur when:
  • The investigation reveals a situation that requires a task level action or Fast Attack mode.
  • The IC cannot reasonably be involved in a task level activity and develop overall strategy at the same time.
  • The incident escalates and requires more capabilities and span of control.

Transfer of Command Scenarios

• Transfer to an Officer of Equal Rank:
  • Should only occur once.
  • Command then becomes static.
  • The next transfer of Command is to a Chief Officer who has arrived on scene.
• Transfer to an Officer of Higher Rank:
  • The first arriving District Chief assumes Command of an emergency incident after Transfer of Command procedure.
  • The first arriving Platoon Chief or Senior Chief Officer assumes Command of an emergency incident after Transfer of Command procedure.
• Transfer to an Officer of Lower Rank:
  • May occur if the incident is approaching termination.