104.1.3 Organizational Chart and Command Structure

Incident Management System (IMS)

• The IMS is designed to be expandable in response to the size of the emergency incident, allowing it to expand and contract depending on the number of apparatus and level of organization required to manage the incident.
• Each change in organizational level will necessitate some changes in the organizational hierarchy and responsibility.

Incident Management Teams

• An Incident Management Team consists of 2-3 Command Officers, an Incident Commander, a Support Officer, and possibly a Senior Advisor.
• The team is located in a strategic position, usually a Command Vehicle.
• Each Command Officer has specific roles to fill in the team process.

Support Officer (SO)

• The SO is typically an Officer one rank higher than the Incident Commander.
• The SO has seven key functions:
  • Refine, evaluate, or change the Incident Action Plan (IAP) if necessary.
  • Provide guidance on tactical priorities, fireground factors, and firefighter safety.
  • Assign logistics and safety tasks, including assigning a Logistics Officer if necessary.
  • Control the tactical worksheet, ensuring accurate management of units and resources.
  • Evaluate the fireground tactical and task level organization, including sector assignments and span of control.
  • Act as a second set of eyes and ears, utilizing their knowledge and experience.
  • Protect the Incident Commander from interruptions, while still providing essential information and communications.

Senior Advisor (SA)

• The SA is typically filled by the Senior Chief Officer.
• The SA's roles include:
  • Ensuring Unified Command and business cycle meetings are established.
  • Dealing with the impact of the incident on the community, including hazardous materials, long-term effects, and consequences.
  • Handling issues that the Incident Commander and Support Officer are not working on.
  • Determining if the City EOC is required and informing senior City Officials.
  • Filling roles in Logistics, Planning, Safety, and Finance/Administration as needed.
• The SA does not get involved with fireground tactics, preventing Incident Command by committee.