Toronto Fire Services Training Note: Transfer Of Command PDF

Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: November 20, 2018 GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION:...

Fire Services Professional Development and Training Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: November 20, 2018 GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 104 Incident Management System SUBSECTION: 104.1 Using the Incident Management System UNIT: 104.1.6 Transfer of Command TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 2 2. TRANSFER OF COMMAND PROCEDURE........................................................... 2 3. WHEN TO TRANSFER COMMAND....................................................................... 2 Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.1.6 Professional Development and Training Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 1 of 3 1. INTRODUCTION The size and nature of the emergency incident will dictate who the Incident Commander (IC) will be at any given time. Any incident can quickly grow beyond the capabilities and span of control of the first arriving Officer. After Command has been established, the second step, if necessary, involves transferring the responsibilities of Command to another Officer, Chief Officer or Senior Chief Officer to improve the effectiveness of command. Officers that are not physically present at the emergency incident shall not accept a transfer of Command nor initiate a transfer of Command. 2. TRANSFER OF COMMAND PROCEDURE Officers involved in the transfer of Command should preferably communicate face to face, if not possible via radio. In the investigative mode, the first on-scene Officer is not required to transfer Command. Transfer of Command shall only take place after the following information has been communicated to the new IC: general situation status incident conditions operational strategy update on tactical objectives safety considerations deployment status (assignment of personnel already on scene and additional resource requirements) When a later arriving Officer cannot locate or communicate with the initial IC, that Officer will announce assumption of Command. The new IC shall contact Toronto Fire to announce the assumption of Command and the establishment or relocation of the Command Post. 3. WHEN TO TRANSFER COMMAND Command is transferred to improve the effectiveness of the Command organization. The arrival of a higher-ranking Officer does not automatically mean that Transfer of Command has occurred. When the investigation reveals a situation that requires a task level action or when adopting the Fast Attack mode, the first arriving Company Officer shall transfer Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.1.6 Professional Development and Training Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 2 of 3 Command to the next on-scene Officer or Chief Officer as soon as possible. (The IC cannot reasonably be involved in a task level activity and develop overall strategy at the same time). Command may be transferred to an Officer of equal or higher rank, as the incident escalates. Transfer to a Company Officer of Equal Rank Transfer of Command to an Officer of equal rank should only occur once. Command should then become Static. The next transfer of Command shall be to a Chief Officer who has arrived on scene. Transfer of Command may also occur to an Officer of equal or lower rank if the incident is approaching termination. Transfer to an Officer of Higher Rank The first arriving District Chief will assume Command of an emergency incident after the Transfer of Command procedure has been completed. The first arriving Platoon Chief or Senior Chief Officer may assume Command of an emergency incident after the Transfer of Command procedure has been completed. Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 104.1.6 Professional Development and Training Date Prepared: November 2018 Page 3 of 3