Transfer of Command Process / Sectoring

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Questions and Answers

Who typically assumes Command after the Transfer of Command procedures have been completed?

The first arriving Shift Commander

The first arriving Company Officer (correct)

The first arriving Fire Chief

The first arriving Engineer

When does the development of the organizational structure begin?

With deployment of the first arriving fire department unit (correct)

After the incident has been assessed

After the tactical deployment of personnel and resources

When the Incident Commander arrives

What is the purpose of building a Command organization?

To direct, control, and track the position and function of all operating Companies

To manage personnel and incident needs (correct)

To size up the incident

To support the tactical deployment of personnel and resources

How many levels does the basic configuration of Command include?

Three Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the Strategic Level in the Command organization?

Overall direction of the incident Signup and view all the answers

What is involved in the Strategic Level of the Command organization?

The activities necessary for overall operational control Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Command at the strategic level?

Determining the overall strategy and Incident Action Plan Signup and view all the answers

When should the Incident Organization be divided into Branches?

When the number of Sectors exceeds the span of control of the Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of incident organization in an incident command structure?

To track, communicate with, and account for resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Sector Officer in the incident command structure?

To evaluate and communicate with the IC Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of utilizing Sectors in incident management?

Reduces the IC's span of control Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the Sector Officer?

Tactical deployment of resources assigned to their sector Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of sectors that an IC can effectively manage?

Five Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the level of the organization where the work is performed by assigned companies and other resources?

Task Level Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of sectoring in an incident command structure?

To divide the incident scene into smaller units Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criteria for naming a Sector?

The geographical location of the Sector Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the responsibilities of Command in relation to Sectors?

Advising Sector Officers of specific Tactical Objectives Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of dividing the incident scene into smaller units or pieces?

Sectoring Signup and view all the answers

What are the four primary objectives of fire control in an incident command structure?

Rescue, Fire Control, Property Conservation, and Customer Stabilization Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of assigning a radio designation to a Sector?

To facilitate communication within the Sector Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Command in an incident command structure?

To combine the strategic and tactical levels Signup and view all the answers

When should Sector Officers concentrate on their assigned areas?

Always Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of utilizing Sectors in terms of firefighter safety?

It allows each Sector Officer to maintain more direct control of companies assigned to their sector Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the level of the organization where the strategy and tactics are determined?

Strategic Level Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the level of the organization where the Company Officer supervises the task level activities?

Task Level Signup and view all the answers

What should be provided to the Sector Officer, time permitting?

The overall strategy and plan Signup and view all the answers

What determines the number of Companies assigned to a Sector?

The conditions within that Sector Signup and view all the answers

What should a Sector Officer do if they cannot control the resources within the Sector?

Notify the Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

What represents a reasonable maximum span of control for a Sector Officer during defensive fires?

Seven (7) companies Signup and view all the answers

How do Sector Officers identify themselves in radio communications?

By their Sector designation (North Sector, etc.) Signup and view all the answers

Who is initially responsible for a Sector, in many cases?

The Company Officer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Transfer of Command

The transfer of Command aims to improve the quality of the Command organization and trigger upgrades in the Command structure.
A standard routine for establishing and transferring Command creates a capability for the Incident Commander (IC) to effectively and safely establish and continue Command.

Benefits of Upgraded Command Post

Provides IC with a Support Officer
Establishes an Incident Safety Officer (ISO)
IC has a wider view of the fireground
Improves communication
Creates a lighted, warm, and dry environment for IC to operate in

Transfer of Command Process

The first arriving fire department member assumes Command, usually a Company Officer, but can be any fire department member up to the Fire Chief.
The first arriving Company Officer assumes Command after completing the Transfer of Command procedures.
The first arriving Command Officer assumes Command and becomes IC #2.
Subsequent arriving Command Officers report their location to the IC and wait for an assignment.
The first arriving Shift Commander assumes the role of Senior Advisor and assists the IC.

Command Team

The Senior Advisor, IC, and Support Officer form the Command Team (Incident Advisory Team).
The Command Team may assign additional staff, such as a Safety Officer and a Staging Officer.

Assumption of Command

Assumption of Command is discretionary for Assistant Chiefs and the Fire Chief.
Local events that require long-term evacuations may require a larger Command staff, including Planning Chief, Liaison, and Public Information Officer (PIO).

Incident Management Team (IMT)

When an incident is large or requires long-term resources, an IMT may be assigned to manage resources.
The local jurisdiction having authority (JHA) retains authority to set incident objectives and determine when IMT resources are no longer needed.

"Passing Command"

Command should not be transferred to an officer who is not on the scene, as this creates a gap in the Command process and compromises incident management.
When a situation occurs where a later arriving Company or Command officer cannot locate or communicate with Command, they will assume and announce their assumption of Command.

Chain of Command

The actual transfer of Command will be regulated by the following procedure:
- The officer assuming Command (IC #2) communicates with the person being relieved (IC #1) by radio or face-to-face.
- The person being relieved briefs the officer assuming Command, indicating the general situation, incident management plan, deployment, and safety considerations.

Command Organization

Strengthening the Command organization:
- Improves safety
- Decreases the span of control
- Improves communication
- Improves accountability
- Improves management and supervision of the Sector

Command Post

A Command Post in a vehicle equipped for this purpose is a priority at all working incidents.
The vehicle provides appropriate work space for the IC and staff personnel, lighting, communications equipment, supplies, and some isolation from outside distractions.

Incident Commander

The IC is responsible for managing the incident and is empowered with the authority to turn their decisions into actions.
The IC outranks everybody on the scene.
If a higher-ranking Officer wants to affect a change in the management of an incident, they must first be on the scene and follow the Transfer of Command procedure.

Transfer of Command

The transfer of Command aims to improve the quality of the Command organization and trigger upgrades in the Command structure.
A standard routine for establishing and transferring Command creates a capability for the Incident Commander (IC) to effectively and safely establish and continue Command.

Benefits of Upgraded Command Post

Provides IC with a Support Officer
Establishes an Incident Safety Officer (ISO)
IC has a wider view of the fireground
Improves communication
Creates a lighted, warm, and dry environment for IC to operate in

Transfer of Command Process

The first arriving fire department member assumes Command, usually a Company Officer, but can be any fire department member up to the Fire Chief.
The first arriving Company Officer assumes Command after completing the Transfer of Command procedures.
The first arriving Command Officer assumes Command and becomes IC #2.
Subsequent arriving Command Officers report their location to the IC and wait for an assignment.
The first arriving Shift Commander assumes the role of Senior Advisor and assists the IC.

Command Team

The Senior Advisor, IC, and Support Officer form the Command Team (Incident Advisory Team).
The Command Team may assign additional staff, such as a Safety Officer and a Staging Officer.

Assumption of Command

Assumption of Command is discretionary for Assistant Chiefs and the Fire Chief.
Local events that require long-term evacuations may require a larger Command staff, including Planning Chief, Liaison, and Public Information Officer (PIO).

Incident Management Team (IMT)

When an incident is large or requires long-term resources, an IMT may be assigned to manage resources.
The local jurisdiction having authority (JHA) retains authority to set incident objectives and determine when IMT resources are no longer needed.

"Passing Command"

Command should not be transferred to an officer who is not on the scene, as this creates a gap in the Command process and compromises incident management.
When a situation occurs where a later arriving Company or Command officer cannot locate or communicate with Command, they will assume and announce their assumption of Command.

Chain of Command

The actual transfer of Command will be regulated by the following procedure:
- The officer assuming Command (IC #2) communicates with the person being relieved (IC #1) by radio or face-to-face.
- The person being relieved briefs the officer assuming Command, indicating the general situation, incident management plan, deployment, and safety considerations.

Command Organization

Strengthening the Command organization:
- Improves safety
- Decreases the span of control
- Improves communication
- Improves accountability
- Improves management and supervision of the Sector

Command Post

A Command Post in a vehicle equipped for this purpose is a priority at all working incidents.
The vehicle provides appropriate work space for the IC and staff personnel, lighting, communications equipment, supplies, and some isolation from outside distractions.

Incident Commander

The IC is responsible for managing the incident and is empowered with the authority to turn their decisions into actions.
The IC outranks everybody on the scene.
If a higher-ranking Officer wants to affect a change in the management of an incident, they must first be on the scene and follow the Transfer of Command procedure.

Transfer of Command Process

The first arriving fire department member assumes Command, usually a Company Officer, but can be any member up to the Fire Chief.
The first arriving Company Officer assumes Command after completing Transfer of Command procedures, unless an equal or higher-ranking officer has already assumed Command.

Assumption of Command

The first arriving Command Officer assumes Command of the incident and becomes IC #2 after completing Transfer of Command procedures.
Subsequent arriving Command Officers report their location to the IC and wait for assignment.
The first arriving Shift Commander becomes the Senior Advisor and assists the IC.

Command Team

The Senior Advisor, IC, and Support Officer form the Command Team (Incident Advisory Team).
The Command Team may assign additional staff, such as a Safety Officer and a Staging Officer.

Larger Incidents

Large or long-duration incidents may require a larger Command staff, including a Planning Chief, Liaison, and Public Information Officer (PIO).
The Assistant Chief of Operations may provide additional support by assisting the Senior Advisor.

Incident Management Team (IMT)

In large incidents, an IMT may be assigned to manage resources, and the local jurisdiction having authority (JHA) retains Command or delegates authority to the IMT.

Passing Command

Command should not be transferred to an officer not on the scene, as it creates a gap in the Command process.
A later arriving Company or Command Officer should assume and announce their assumption of Command if they cannot locate or communicate with the existing IC.

Transfer of Command Procedure

The officer assuming Command communicates with the person being relieved (IC #1) by radio or face-to-face to transfer Command.
The person being relieved briefs the officer assuming Command on the situation, incident management plan, safety considerations, and resource deployment.

Incident Commander Role

The IC is responsible for managing the incident and has the authority to turn their decisions into actions.
A higher-ranking Officer must follow the Transfer of Command procedure to affect a change in incident management.

Transfer of Command Process

The first fire department member arriving on the scene assumes Command, typically a Company Officer but potentially any fire department member up to the Fire Chief.

Initial Command Structure

The first arriving Company Officer assumes Command after completing Transfer of Command procedures, unless a higher-ranking officer has already taken Command (IC #1).
The first arriving Command Officer becomes IC #2 after taking over Command.

Subsequent Command Officers

Subsequent arriving Command Officers report their location to the IC and await assignment.
The first arriving Shift Commander assumes the role of Senior Advisor and assists the IC.

Command Team

The Senior Advisor, IC, and Support Officer form the Command Team (Incident Advisory Team).
The Command Team may assign additional staff, including a Safety Officer (releasing the Support Officer's ISO responsibility) and a Staging Officer.

Assistant Chiefs and Fire Chief

Assistant Chiefs and the Fire Chief have discretionary authority to assume Command.

Large-Scale Incidents

Prolonged events or long-term evacuations may require a larger Command staff, including a Planning Chief, Liaison, and Public Information Officer (PIO).
The Assistant Chief of Operations may provide additional support to the Senior Advisor while a Shift Commander manages the evacuation and Command staff.

Incident Management Team (IMT)

For large incidents requiring State or Federal resources, an IMT may be assigned to manage these resources.
In such cases, the local jurisdiction having authority (JHA) retains Command or delegates authority to the IMT, while maintaining authority to set incident objectives and determine when IMT, State, and Federal resources are no longer needed.

Command Structure

It is the responsibility of Command to develop an organizational structure to effectively manage the incident scene.
The Command organization must develop at a pace which stays ahead of the tactical deployment of personnel and resources.
The Incident Commander must be able to direct, control, and track the position and function of all operating Companies.

Levels of Command

The basic configuration of Command includes three levels:
- Strategic Level: Overall direction of the incident, operates in the Command Mode, and works out of a stationary command post.
- Tactical Level: Objectives assigned to Sectors (Divisions or Groups).
- Task Level: Task objectives assigned to Companies.

Strategic Level

Involves activities necessary for overall operational control and the completion of tactical objectives.
Includes:
- Providing initial and ongoing size-up and determining critical fireground factors.
- Defining the incident position within the risk management plan.
- Determining the appropriate strategy: OFFENSIVE or DEFENSIVE.
- Establishing a strategic level incident action plan.
- Obtaining and allocating resources.
- Deploying the appropriate resources.
- Predicting outcomes and planning.
- Assigning specific assignments and objectives to tactical level units.

Tactical Level

The first management "subdivision" of incident scene organization is accomplished by assigning Sector (Division or Group) responsibilities.
Sector officers are responsible for the tactical deployment of assigned resources, evaluation, and communication with the IC.
They are assigned by the IC and supervise directly at the site of the assigned activity.

Task Level

The level of the organization where the work is performed by assigned companies and other resources.
Task level activities are routinely supervised by Company Officers.
The accumulated achievements of Task Level activities accomplish Tactical Objectives.

Command Structure - Basic Organization

Incident organization is the function of command that the IC uses to track, communicate with, and account for resources in order to meet the tactical objectives.
For fires, this is RESCUE – FIRE CONTROL – PROPERTY CONSERVATION – CUSTOMER STABILIZATION.

Command Structure - Sectors

Sectors are smaller, more manageable units of incident scene organization.
Sectoring is a standard system of dividing incident scene command into smaller units or pieces.
Whenever there are three or more companies operating in a sector, the IC should assign a Battalion Chief and FIT to that sector.
The maximum number of Sectors that an IC can effectively manage is called the span of control, which is usually five sectors and should never exceed seven sectors.

Sectors - Basic Operational Approach

Sectors may be assigned by their geographic location (North Sector) or function (Ventilation Sector).
Divisions are assigned by their geographic location (North Division).
Groups are assigned by their function (Ventilation Group).
The IC will concentrate on the overall strategy, incident action plan management, evaluation, and resource allocation.
Each of the sector officers becomes responsible for the tactical deployment of the resources assigned to their sector and communicating needs and progress back to Command.

Advantages of Sectors

Reduces the IC's span of control.
Creates more effective incident scene communications.
Provides a standard and logical system to divide large geographical incidents into effectively sized units.
Provides an array of major support functions.
Improves firefighter safety.

Command Should Assign Sectors

When the number of assigned and operating companies threatens to overload the IC's ability to command.
When the IC forecasts that the situation will become a major operation, soon exceeding their span of control.
When companies are involved in complex operations.
When companies are operating from tactical positions which Command has little or no direct control over.
When the situation presents special hazards and close control is required over operating companies.

Sectors Will Be Regulated

The ongoing responsibility of Command to assign Sectors as required for effective emergency operations.
Command shall advise each Sector Officer of specific Tactical Objectives.
The overall strategy and plan will be provided (time permitting).
The number of Companies assigned to a Sector will depend upon conditions within that Sector.
Command will maintain an awareness of the number of Companies operating within a Sector and the capability of that Sector Officer to effectively direct operations.
During offensive fires, five (5) companies represent a reasonable maximum span of control for a Sector Officer.
During defensive fires, seven (7) companies represent a reasonable maximum span of control.
Sectors assigned to specific operating areas will be designated by directions (East Sector, North Sector, etc.).

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Description

This quiz covers the guidelines and procedures for transferring command in emergency response situations, ensuring a smooth transition and effective incident command.