Unified Command: Incident Management

Introduction to Unified Command

• Every incident, regardless of scale, begins locally.
• It's crucial to remain calm and assess the situation using methods like FPODP, as used in smaller incidents.
• The first arrival report sets the tone, influencing the incident's trajectory.
• There is a significant opportunity to establish control and maintain composure.

Madison Incident Case Study

• Training prepares firefighters for unexpected situations, and flexibility is key for problem-solving.
• Sacramento Metro Fire's Engine 42 (E42) is a three-person company equipped with specialty equipment
• A solid foundation is needed for effective incident management.
• In June 2022, E42 responded to a domestic disturbance where a male adult was holding a one-year-old child hostage and attempting to start a fire
• The complexity of the call increased significantly.
• E42 breached a wall of a neighboring apartment to gain access to the armed assailant and the child.
• Both victims were unconscious in a bathtub with running water and pulled out by firefighters.
• The focus shifted from lifesaving to scene stabilization after the occupants were removed.
• The involved individuals had a full recovery a few weeks later.
• The actions for success was the freedom to make critical decisions.
• A systematic plan and calm demeanor aid in mitigating incidents, but complex situations push training and communication to their limits.

Importance of Clear Updates in Large Incidents

• Uncommon to hear anything so early
• E42 gave an update that they had a well-involved first-floor apartment fire lapping to the second floor
• Firefighters reported they had two victims inside the fire unit and they were entering a neighboring unit, breaching a wall to rescue the victims.
• Significant safety hazards and life risks to public
• Access, building location, and significant law enforcement presence would add complexity

Incident Command and Management

• The call was in Battalion 5 (BC5) and Battalion 7.1 responded to that
• Heavy fire was rolling out of the lower unit and into the units above, with additional extensions to the attic
• Multiple Sacramento Sherrif officers with assault rifles and body armor were all available at the scene
• Command remained strategic by allowing tactical division supervisors to run certain aspects of the scene
• The adult male and the baby were transported to the burn center
• The fire was contained to two units and the building was evacuated with no further injuries
• Law enforcement had good intel on all items.
• A unified command with law enforcement was needed.
• Law sets up their incident command post (ICP) at a remote location which was about less than half a mile away

Improving Unified Command

• Gaps in communication and decision-making existed between the two agencies after the call.
• Both agencies recognized the importance of communication and alignment of command.
• There are already steps being taken to improve communication and streamline responses.

NIOSH 5 Application in Unified Command

• Unified Command incidents increase the potential for NIOSH 5, demanding collaboration and overcoming differences in risk assessment.
• Fire and law enforcement view risk differently.
• A cops job is to go into active shooter situation
• Fire might Stage and conversely enter burning buildings that cops avoid.
• Fire and law enforcement adhere to their training and equipment for respective missions.
• Varying terminology, protocols, frequencies, and dispatch norms exist.
• Law enforcement typically employs 10-codes, while fire uses clear text.
• Accountability methods vary, including names and labels for resources.
• Law enforcement doesn't use ICS as commonly as fire, leading to separate ICPs as was seen in the call.
• Differences in policy and protocols of standard operating guidelines (SOGs) lead in varying priorities and even potential conflicts.

Initial Actions of Acting Captain

• The first-arriving acting captain provided a calm, clear, confident, and concise arrival report:"
• “Engine 71 on scene of a large multi-vehicle accident with fire and entrapments. Unknown number of vehicles. Engine 71 is assuming Highway 5 Command. Command Post is mobile. Requesting five additional ambulances, five additional engines, two additional trucks, and two water tenders."
• Unified Command between the fire department and California Highway Patrol.
• He gave clear objectives to incoming units, established command, and remained calm.

Murrah Federal Building Bombing---Oklahoma City

• The incident command system allowed for effective coordination and management of resources.
• The incident provided a standardized communication structure and resource allocation.
• The ICS helped manage more than 3000 responders.
• It facilitated victim rescue/recovery and ensured personnel safety.

Key elements of the Incident Command System (ICS)

• ICS is a tool offering structure, flexibility, and organization for any incident.
• At the Emergency Operations Center
• ICS has a standardized all-risk incident management concept, built around incident action planning,
• Defined measurable objectives, logistics support, and operational tactics.
• The system allows responders to integrate into an organizational baseline structure that matches the complexities and demands of incidents without jurisdictional hinderances
• ICS provides structured management of resources and offers essential organizing for many scenarios.

Utilizing ICS in Various Scenarios

• ICS can be used in small and large, traditional and non traditional situations.
• ICS can be applied to nontraditional events like Super Bowls, humanitarian aid, swiftwater rescues, security, or even the COVID-19 response.
• ICS has five functional elements including: command, operations, planning logistics, and administration/finance.
• A designated IC under a unified command structure allows all personnel, agencies and organizations to work together.
• Structured management provided enables effective response to various events, and the scalable design of the ICS adapts to incident needs.

9/11 Impacts on Unified Command

• Unified Command became much more prevalent across the United States post 9/11.
• The lack of NIMS slowed our response and ability to coordinate with the fire department of New York (FDNY).
• Citizens, Fire Departments, Construction workers and other resources would self dispatch
• Responders require unprecedented coordination efforts.
• Barriers to communication and mission familiarity hinder response.
• Trust is the key to success.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5

• Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5 was created on February 28, 2003
• This created the NIMS to mobilize the lessons learned from 9/11

Purpose (Component of HSPD-5)

• To enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic indents by establishing a single, comprehensive national incident management system

Policy (Component of HSPD-5)

• To prevent, prepare for or respond to and recover from Terorist attacks and major disasters

Tasking (Component of HSPD-5)

• The secratary of homeland security will develop and administer a National incident management system (NIMS).

The Key to Interoperability

• Mutual respect and building trust.
• Unified Command is effective on Type 4 and 5 incidents
• Trust and relationships should be built in advance

Hazmat call in the school playground- A Local Example:

• A report of hazardous material at an elementary school prompted a hazmat/MCI response after a plastic bottle with an unknown substance was found, and kids felt sick.
• Elementary school with kids complaining of sickness in the playground
• Clear weather reported at 70°F with no wind
• Probability of increased victim pool and unknown substance
• The initial response included an engine, fire medic ambulance, a battalion chief, and a sheriff.
• The decision to perform a lifesaving priority.

Incident Objectives (School Example)

• Establish an interior perimeter/exclusion zone
• Declare an MCI remove treat transport
• Establish an exterior perimeter
• Shelter all uninjured/noncontaminated adults

Law Enforcement & Fire Integration

• The police department should follow the lead of the fire department
• Crucial to control the inner/outer perimeters in these incidents
• Sharing goals at the ICP keeps everyone aligned, with each IC needing support for radio traffic.
• During the school exercise of a Hazmat incident and injured children and adults
• Medical, Hazmat, and Law groups with PIO is effective in unified action.
• Make the school principle part was more effective than having a laison
• Reunification children should occur.

Key Factors For UNIFIED Command Success

• UNIFIED COMMAND - Acronym for the nuances of successful unified command incidents.
• Appropriate SAW CSS worksheet of Tactical Objectives
• High-rise fire, MCI, Hazmat scenarios are common in using UC with other groups
• Having Unified Briefing with Sheriffs and the provision of ladders, lights, and fire standby with the ultimate EMS standby.

MCI Scenario Examples

• An active shooter at a school, the principal is an ideal asset.
• For Hazmat calls, Law enforcement is key.
• A liaison is key with the Site Manager.
• For traffic control, law enforcement can provide evacuation; if on a freeway, consider CHP involvement.
• For all Hazmat calls, local OES may be lead.
• A key step is providing help when in doubt, ask your boss. It cannot hurt and will keep you ahead.

UC Trigger Examples

• Fires that cross another area
• Government incidents
• Schools under MCI

Unified Collaboration for Incident Command

• It is necessary to find the AHJ representative
• Exchange information with them
• Establish unified command
• Develop plan with everyone
• Communicate the plan and have same objectives
• Map it in order to have all the routes
• Mark and utilize for personnel
• There should be an assessment of all needs

Champlain Towers Condominium Collapse

• June 24, 2021
• Multi-story beachfront condominium
• Located in Surfside, Florida
• 98 lives were lost, many more were injured
• FL-TF2 is one of eight State of Florida US&R teams
• Deployment as a task force leader for FL-TF2
• The two most important objectives were to protect responders and quickly move the building
• The best structural engineers and safety leaders collaborated on a plan

Incident Command: Miami Condo Collapse

• Divisions were made to have accountability
• Divisions were consolidated in Alpha
• Consolidation of the squads in Alpha 1-5 to increase safety and speed of progress

Key Takeaways From The Collapse

• 10 million pounds of debris was moved in 21 days
• Key to allow family members to witness
• The mission was to put numerical order to increase safety and efficiency
• PTSD is important
• Communicate with family members for the safety of all
• Be inclusive and save as much as possible to make a positive impact
• There is the need to deal with one issue at a time
• There will be 8 state and 5 federal task forces
• Ensure coordination and a coordinated effort, including all the different departments

Scaling to a Larger Incident Type

• Will be in 5 or 4 incident at start
• Must know key steps on how to transition to Type 3
• Will be told if this happens via SOG or policy or via boss
• Complex is more than one incident within proximity assigned to facililitate management
• Area command is the function used in large incendet with mulipur management
• EOC (emergency operations center) supports the incident

Route 91 Music Festival Shooting Summary

• The route 91 harvest festival was a large, outdoor concert
• The Location was the Las Vegas Metro police and the Clark County fire department
• 2017 last act had 22,000 attendees, that took an unfortunate turn
• Gunman opened in fire from the 32nd floor with 1,000 rounds that resulted
• more than 850 injuries, and about 60 deaths.
• Ten minutes there was UC communication.
• Mumbai 160 deaths sparked this collaboration after 2008.
• That is because of how many soft spot locations.

Key Actions During Chaos Of The Incident

• Senior leaders arrive on scene and the 17-acre became 3.5 square miles for the police department.
• It was not always smooth
• Echo calls came 2 hours away
• It all began about prior lessons at another club called LIGHT.

Key Lessons For The Route 91 shooting

• First you must debrief
• Form the proper relationships
• Have proper support and make use of it.
• Underestimating assistance required
• Scaling of the medical surge

Recommendations for incident preparedness

• Maintain relationships with other agencies
• Utilize one team one fight mentality
• Continue working. and hold exercises
• Smart phone usage can be integral

Incident Action Post 9.11

• Unified Command is seen more, with relationships and training being key
• Communications Is vital for success
• NIMS Can Break or make a system
• Utilize the ICS
• The tone is always set with the first responder

Key aspects from Presidential Directive 5

• Enhances the ability of management of domestic incidents
• Prevention, preparation and response for terrorist attacks is vital

What unified command accomplishes

• In this arena it exponentially challenges and accounts the importance of community

The Four Questions to be asked

• Why the NIOSH is Greater
• Key Components to homeland security directive
• What is the key name for the Key Component?
• Difference between the two Command?