08. Command Safety.docx

Command Safety 8.1 Supervisory Levels. The incident management system shall provide a series of supervisory levels to be implemented to create a command structure. 8.2* Span of Control. The command structure for each incident shall maintain an effective supervisory span of control at each level of t...

Command Safety 8.1 Supervisory Levels. The incident management system shall provide a series of supervisory levels to be implemented to create a command structure. 8.2* Span of Control. The command structure for each incident shall maintain an effective supervisory span of control at each level of the organization. 8.3 Overall Command. The incident management system shall clearly identify who is in overall command at the scene for the duration of the incident. 8.3.1* There shall be one clearly identifiable incident commander for the duration of the incident, from the arrival of the first ESO unit until the incident is terminated. 8.4 Command Post Establishment. Following the initial stages of an incident, the incident commander shall establish a stationary command post. 8.5* Accountability Systems. The incident commander shall initiate an accountability system that includes functional and geographical assignments at the beginning of operations and that system shall be maintained throughout operations. 8.6 Assignment of Staff Aides. The incident commander and members who are assigned a supervisory responsibility that involves three or more companies or crews under their command shall have an additional person (staff aide) assigned to facilitate the tracking and accountability of the assigned companies or crews. 8.7 Additional Resources. The incident commander shall request additional resources as needed. 8.8 Rapid Intervention Crew/Company Assignment. The IC shall designate and assign a rapid intervention crew/company (RIC) to initiate the immediate rescue of injured, lost, or trap⁠ped ⁠responders. 8.9 Responsibilities of the Incident Commander. 8.9.1 The first arriving responder from an ESO that has responsibility for the incident shall assume the role of incident commander for the incident. 8.9.1.1 The incident commander shall conduct an initial and ongoing situational assessment of the incident. 8.9.1.2 The incident commander shall establish an effective communications plan. 8.9.1.3 The incident commander shall develop the incident objectives from the situational assessment and form applicable strategy and tactics. 8.9.1.4 The incident commander shall deploy available resources and request additional resources based upon the needs of the incident. 8.9.1.5 The incident commander shall develop an incident organization for the management of the incident. 8.9.1.6 The incident commander shall review, evaluate, and revise the strategy and tactics based upon the needs of the incident. 8.9.1.7 The incident commander shall provide for the continuity, transfer, or termination of command. 8.10* Community Risk and Emergency Operation Plans. The ESO shall identify community risks and develop specific emergency operation plans that address both routine and unusual incidents and shall provide standardized procedures and supervisory assignments that can be applied to the needs of situations of differing types, sizes, and complexities. 8.11* Command Post Requirements. Following the initial stages of an incident, in establishing a command post, the incident commander shall ensure the following: (1) The command post is located in or tied to a vehicle to establish presence and visibility. (2) The command post includes radio capability to monitor and communicate with assigned tactical, command, and designated emergency traffic channels for that incident. (3) The location of the command post is communicated to the communications center. (4) The incident commander, or his or her designee, is present at the command post. (5) The command post is located in the cold zone of an incident. 8.12 Command Post. 8.12.1 The incident commander shall maintain an awareness of the location and function of all companies or units at the scene of the incident. 8.12.2 The incident commander shall be responsible for overall responder accountability for the incident. 8.12.3 The incident commander shall initiate an accountability system that includes functional and geographical assignments at the beginning of operations and that system shall be maintained throughout operations. 8.12.4 The incident commander and members who are assigned a supervisory responsibility that involves three or more companies or crews under their command shall have an additional member(s) (staff aide) assigned to facilitate the tracking and accountability of the assigned companies or crews. 8.12.5 The incident commander shall keep the safety officer informed of strategic and tactical plans and any changing conditions. 8.12.6* The incident commander shall evaluate the risk to responders with respect to the purpose and potential results of the responders’ actions. 8.12.7 In situations where the risk to emergency service responders is excessive, as defined in 8.12.8, activities shall be limited to defensive operations. 8.12.8* The following risk management principles shall be utilized by the incident commander: (1) Activities that present a significant risk to the safety of responders shall be limited to situations that have the potential to save endangered lives. (2) Activities that are routinely employed to protect property shall be recognized as inherent risks to the safety of responders, and actions shall be taken to reduce or avoid these risks. (3) No risk to the safety of responders shall be acceptable where there is no possibility to save lives or property. 8.13 Safety Officer and Assistant Safety Officer. 8.13.1* The incident commander (IC) shall appoint a safety officer (SO) at all applicable emergency incidents. 8.13.2 The following items shall be considered regarding the appointment of a safety officer: (1) The safety officer must be assigned as early in the incident as possible. (2) The safety officer reports directly to the IC. (3) The safety officer recons the incident to identify existing or potential hazards and informs the incident commander. (4) The safety officer recommends to the IC any changes to the incident action plan as a result of the ongoing surveys. (5) At an emergency incident where the safety officer judges activities unsafe or an imminent hazard, the safety officer shall have the authority to alter, suspend, or terminate those activities. The safety officer needs to immediately inform the incident commander of any actions taken to correct imminent hazards at the emergency scene. (6) At an emergency incident where a safety officer identifies unsafe conditions, operations, or hazards that do not present an imminent danger, the safety officer should take appropriate action through the incident commander to mitigate or eliminate the unsafe condition, operations, or hazard at the incident scene. (7) When operating in forward or otherwise hazardous positions, the safety officer must be attired in appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), have radio communication equipment, and be accompanied by another responder. 8.13.3 Appointed safety officers shall meet the requirements set forth in Chapter 5 of NFPA 1521.