Test Your Knowledge on Incident Command and Management

Questions and Answers

Three

When a chief officer assumes command

In department SOPs

When there is a compelling reason Signup and view all the answers

The situation and resource status Signup and view all the answers

The safety and effectiveness of the operation in progress Signup and view all the answers

Command transfers Signup and view all the answers

Rarely Signup and view all the answers

Progress report, company location and assignments, known hazards, and additional resources requested but not assigned Signup and view all the answers

Delegation of authority Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Three command mode options apply only to company-level operations.
A stationary command post must be established when a chief officer assumes command.
Command transfer must be addressed in department SOPs.
Command should not be transferred between company officers unless there is a compelling reason.
The person assuming command must communicate with the previous IC to determine situation and resource status.
The IC assuming command must evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the operation in progress.
Command transfers tend to disrupt the continuity of operations.
On rare occasions, command of a structure fire could be transferred to another agency.
Information passed on during a transfer of command should include progress report, company location and assignments, known hazards, and additional resources requested but not assigned.
Delegation of authority is essential in establishing control over available resources.

A good command post should be established outside the hot zone and provide a view of the two most important sides of the building.
Companies and agencies report to the command post for instructions and information.
Positioning the command post so that two sides of the building can be viewed is usually good practice.
Managing an incident requires the IC’s undivided attention.
Span of control should range from three to no more than seven, with five being the average.
Large-scale operations where the span of control exceeds manageable limits become chaotic and unsafe.
NIMS recommends a span of control ranging from three to seven people reporting to a supervisor.
Keep it simple when forming tactical-level management components.
A better approach to calling for additional resources is to stage arriving resources until assignment needs are identified.
The need for additional units must be anticipated and requested well in advance of when the units should actually be in position.