Incident Command System Basics

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Questions and Answers

Who is responsible for conducting incident operations and managing all incident operations at the incident site?

Unified Area Command

Agency with overall management responsibility

Incident Commander (correct)

First onscene unit

In which situation would a Unified Command be established?

When an incident occurs without overlapping jurisdictional boundaries

When incidents cross political jurisdictions (correct)

When an individual takes command as Incident Commander

When there is a single agency with incident jurisdiction

What is the main responsibility of an Area Command during critical incidents?

Ensure that incidents are properly managed (correct)

Create a detailed Incident Action Plan

Allocate critical resources based on personal priorities

Act as the first onscene unit

Who should the Incident Commander refer to themselves as if a command post is established?

"Command" Signup and view all the answers

What defines the situation where an Incident Commander is required to take charge?

When there is no overlap of jurisdictional boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What influences and dictates the span-of-control within the Incident Command System (ICS)?

The complexity and nature of the incident Signup and view all the answers

In the Incident Command System (ICS), why is it important to establish shift schedules and relief personnel for protracted incidents?

To allow for personnel breaks and rest periods Signup and view all the answers

What does 'span-of-control' refer to within the Incident Command System (ICS)?

The number of individuals a supervisor can effectively manage Signup and view all the answers

Why might additional management levels be staffed within an Incident Command System (ICS)?

When a supervisor is unable to effectively retain control over activities in a specific area Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using the term 'command' within the Incident Command System (ICS)?

To avoid confusion about who is in charge at any given time Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of establishing a staging area in incident management?

To control the deployment of personnel and material Signup and view all the answers

In the Incident Command System (ICS), which position is responsible for liaising with other agencies and organizations involved in the incident?

Liaison Officer Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended that the staging area should never be within view of the incident scene?

To provide a clear separation between operational areas Signup and view all the answers

What is a key responsibility of the scribe assigned by the Incident Commander early in the event?

Beginning the documentation process Signup and view all the answers

Which General Staff position in ICS is primarily responsible for managing finances and administrative tasks during an incident?

Finance/Administration Section Chief Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of implementing a formal management process within the Incident Command System (ICS)?

Enhancing resource coordination and communications Signup and view all the answers

When should the Incident Command System (ICS) be utilized according to the text?

On all critical incidents involving external agencies Signup and view all the answers

Why is interagency coordination and collaboration considered critical in emergency response?

To establish a working trust among responders Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of utilizing an on-site management system as detailed in the text?

To manage both small scale daily activities and major incidents effectively Signup and view all the answers

In which situations should the Incident Command System (ICS) be utilized according to the text?

For all critical law enforcement events involving external agencies Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for completing the after-action report?

Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

Which personnel can the Incident Commander request supporting documentation from for the after-action report?

Branch directors, group supervisors, and unit leaders Signup and view all the answers

In what timeframe should all members be trained in IS 100 and IS 700 according to the text?

Within the first two years of employment Signup and view all the answers

What type of training will supervisors receive based on the text?

Position specific requirements training Signup and view all the answers

How often will continuing education in incident command be provided according to the text?

On a periodic basis Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration for ensuring the effectiveness of an emergency management plan?

Implementing a plan that is flexible and adaptable Signup and view all the answers

In a unified command scenario involving multiple agencies, what should the incident objectives reflect?

The policy needs of all jurisdictional agencies involved Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Incident Commander in terms of functional authority during a critical incident?

Retaining ultimate responsibility but delegating functional authority Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel not assigned to a specific task do according to the emergency management plan?

Report to the staging area for check-in Signup and view all the answers

When should an After-Action Report be required according to the guidelines outlined?

When the incident falls within specific criteria outlined in general orders Signup and view all the answers

What action should the watch commander take if the incident is deemed critical?

Respond and assume the duties of the incident commander Signup and view all the answers

When can the Incident Commander manage all major functional areas without further expansion of the ICS?

When they can handle command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance/administration effectively Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of establishing an outer perimeter at an emergency incident area?

To secure safe routes of travel for emergency vehicles Signup and view all the answers

Where should an Incident Command Post be located in relation to the inner and outer perimeters?

Between the inner and outer perimeter Signup and view all the answers

What should be available at a command post location according to best practices?

Telephone(s), utilities, and privacy Signup and view all the answers

In what situation would a patrol vehicle suffice as an Incident Command Post during a short-term incident?

For short-term incidents only Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of establishing an inner perimeter at an emergency incident area?

To control access into the emergency incident area Signup and view all the answers

Why might a fixed location like a building be preferable as an Incident Command Post for long-term incidents?

It can accommodate utilities and staff more effectively Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key locations that all responding personnel should be made aware of?

The Staging Area. Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken by responders to establish an outer perimeter?

Secure routes for emergency vehicle access. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Incident Command: When no jurisdictional overlap exists, the agency with overall management responsibility identifies an individual as Incident Commander.
Unified Command: When multiple agencies have jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdictions, agencies work together to establish common objectives, strategies, and a single Incident Action Plan.
Area Command: Established to manage multiple incidents, sets overall strategy, allocates resources, ensures proper management, and ensures objectives are met.
The individual with overall authority and responsibility for incident operations is the Incident Commander, initially created by the first onscene unit.
The Incident Command System (ICS) organizes in a modular fashion based on incident complexity, size, and duration.
Additional management levels are added when span-of-control is too great or when dealing with space, protection, or other resources.
Staging area is used to control deployment of personnel and material, established outside the inner perimeter, and managed by a designated unit.
Command and General Staff Positions include Deputy Incident Commander, Liaison Officer, Information Officer, Safety Officer, Operations Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, Planning Section Chief, and Finance/Administration Section Chief.
Interagency coordination and collaboration are critical in ICS, eliminating ambiguity in command and control, improving resource coordination, and facilitating application of local incident management procedures.
The Incident Commander is responsible for completing after-action reports and may request supporting documentation from command and general staff, branch directors, group supervisors, and unit leaders.
Training in minimum IS 100 and IS 700 is required for all members within two years of policy implementation and new employees.
Incident Command System is used on all critical incidents involving agencies outside the organization.
Incident objectives must reflect policy needs of all jurisdictional agencies in case of a unified command.
Incident Commander may delegate functional authority but retains ultimate responsibility.
During incident management, delegated authority takes precedence over day-to-day rank structure.
Personnel not assigned to a specific task report to the staging area.
As an incident is stabilized, resources are systematically released and an After-Action Report is required in certain cases.
All responding personnel should be aware of the locations of the Incident Command Post, Staging Area, and Media Information Area.
An outer perimeter is used to limit access to the emergency incident area and control access to the inner perimeter.
An incident command post is established between the inner and outer perimeter, with a patrol vehicle used for short-term incidents and a fixed location for long-term incidents.
An incident command post location should have telephone(s), utilities, privacy, and be free from line-of-sight of the scene.
All responding personnel should be made aware of the locations of the Incident Command Post, Staging Area, and Media Information Area.
An outer perimeter is used to limit access to the emergency incident area and control access to the inner perimeter.
An incident command post is established between the inner and outer perimeter, with a patrol vehicle used for short-term incidents and a fixed location for long-term incidents.
An incident command post location should have telephone(s), utilities, privacy, and be free from line-of-sight of the scene.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the basics of the Incident Command System including establishing objectives, strategies, and the importance of putting plans into writing. Determine your understanding of shifts, personnel, and equipment changes during incidents.