Standard Operating Procedures - Division and Groups (PDF)

Standard Operating Procedures Subject: Division and Groups S.O.P. Number 01-03-07 Vol-CH-Cat.Sub Approved: Acting Fire Chief Issued: 07/01/1998 Reviewed: 12/01/2018 Revised: 01/01/2019 Section 1 Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this procedure is to assist members in dividing the incident in manage...

Standard Operating Procedures Subject: Division and Groups S.O.P. Number 01-03-07 Vol-CH-Cat.Sub Approved: Acting Fire Chief Issued: 07/01/1998 Reviewed: 12/01/2018 Revised: 01/01/2019 Section 1 Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this procedure is to assist members in dividing the incident in manageable units, utilizing Divisions and Groups. Section 2 General 2.1 It is necessary for the incident commander to monitor the number of resources that report to one supervisor in order to maintain a safe and effective span-of-control. 2.2 The following supervisory levels can be added to help manage the span of control in the Operations Section: 1) Divisions are used to divide an incident geographically. 2) Groups are used to describe functional of operation. 3) Branches are used when the number of Divisions or Groups exceeds the span of control and can be either geographical or functional. Section 3 Divisions and Groups 3.1 Divisions are an organizational level responsible for operations in a specified geographical area at an incident. 3.2 Divisions can be areas of the interior or exterior of an incident building. Some examples are: Division Charlie, Division 4, Roof Division, etc. 3.3 Groups are an organizational level responsible for a specified functional assignment at an incident. Examples are Fire Attack Group, Search and Rescue Group, Water Supply Group, etc. 3.3.1 Divisions and Groups are commanded by Supervisors. 3.4 Divisions and Groups operate at the same command level. Divisions do not work for Groups and Groups do not work for Divisions. However, a Columbus Division of Fire | S.O.P. 01/03/07 Rev.01/01/2019 1 of 3 Group’s functional responsibility may cross establish Division boundaries. For example, the Ventilation Group may be working in Division 2. 3.4.1 Once a specific assignment is given to a Group within a Division area, the Division is no longer responsible for that task. 3.4.2 Examples of Divisions and Groups Groups Functional Assignments Fire Attack Group Evacuation Group Ventilation Group 3.5 Divisions and Groups affect the following three significant management principles: 1) Reduce/solve span-of-control problems at an incident. 2) Provide coordination within a designation area or specific function. 3) Provide accountability of division or group personnel. 3.6 Division and Group Supervisors are responsible for: 1) The implementation of their assigned portion of the overall incident action plan. Columbus Division of Fire | S.O.P. 01/03/07 Rev.01/01/2019 2 of 3 2) Keeping the next higher level of command informed of the status of resources within their area of responsibility, evaluating their resource needs and making adjustments as necessary. 3.7 Whenever an Incident Commander establishes Divisions and/or Groups, the Division or Group Supervisors will require the following information: 1) Radio designation (Charley Division; Division 2, Rescue Group) 2) 3T’s a. Team (E15, L23, R4) b. Task(s) (Fire Attack, Ventilation, Search/Rescue) c. Talkgroup(s) utilized i. How are you communicating with the Command Post? (Bn4 I/C) pre-designated as command channel unless otherwise advised by IC. ii. How are you communicating with your assigned team(s)? (Bn4 TAC 3) 3.8 Each functional or geographical assignment does not need to be commanded by a Division or Group Supervisor. An activity that only requires one unit to effectively handle the situation would not necessitate the implementation of a Division or Group. Columbus Division of Fire | S.O.P. 01/03/07 Rev.01/01/2019 3 of 3