Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue District Incident Management System Command Procedures PDF

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. # 1025.08.00 Subject: Incident Management System Command Procedures Adopted: February 14, 2008 Effective Date: October 29, 2010 Last Revised Date: October 01, 2021 Revision Number: 1 Due for...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. # 1025.08.00 Subject: Incident Management System Command Procedures Adopted: February 14, 2008 Effective Date: October 29, 2010 Last Revised Date: October 01, 2021 Revision Number: 1 Due for Revision Date: October, 2024 Table of Contents 1025.08.01 Purpose 1025.08.02 Scope 1025.08.03 Types of Command 1025.08.04 Responsibilities of Command 1025.08.05 Functions of Command 1025.08.06 Establishing Command 1025.08.07 Modes of Operation 1025.08.08 Passing Command 1025.08.09 Transfer of Command 1025.08.10 Terminating Command 1025.08.11 Command Assignments & Orders 1025.08.12 Emergency Radio Communications 1025.08.13 Command Structure C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 1 of 32 1025.08.14 Groups and Group Officers 1025.08.15 Types of Groups 1025.08.16 Divisions and Division Officers 1025.08.17 Branches and Branch Officers 1025.08.18 Command Sections 1025.08.19 Command Staff C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 2 of 32 Incident Management System Command Procedures 1025.08.01 Purpose The Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District responds to a wide range of emergency incidents. This guide identifies standard operating procedures that are to be employed in managing and establishing command in emergency incidents and training exercises. The system provides for the effective management of personnel and resources, as well as a safety link for implementing all components of the Incident Management System for structural/fire operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations. The Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District will provide the necessary agencies that may be involved in emergency incidents with Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District with a copy of its Incident Management Protocol. This will be done to enhance emergency operations should the outside agency be called for assistance on an incident. When an incident is under the overall jurisdiction of an agency other than the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District, Bonita will continue to utilize its IMS protocol to manage its own operations while coordinating its activities with the overall agency having jurisdiction/command. 1025.08.02 Scope All employees of the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District who could be assigned within the incident management system will be trained in this SOGl, as well as trained to assume the initial role of Incident Commander until relieved by a higherranking officer. All officers who may assume the role and function of Incident Commander, Branch, Division, and/or Group Officer or fulfill one of the roles of the Command Section and Command Staff, will be trained in using this IMS protocol. On hazardous material incidents, the Incident Commander who will assume control of the incident beyond the first responder awareness level, shall meet OSHA CFR 1910 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (1910.120 (q)(3)(i-x)(IV)(V)(AF). In confined space incidents the Incident Commander shall meet OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (J)(1-6) and (e)(5)(i-ii). This IMS training will include both lecture and field work on this protocol until the individual proficiency is achieved by both a written exam and field demonstration. The hierarchy of the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District for emergency incidents is: Lieutenant (Company Officer), Battalion Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Fire Chief. Command Procedures are designed to: 1. Assign the responsibility for command to a specific individual through a standard identification system, depending on the arrival sequence of members, companies, and officers. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 3 of 32 2. Ensure that a strong, direct, and visible command will be established from the onset of the incident. 3. Establish an effective incident organization defining the activities and responsibilities assigned to the Incident Commander and to other individuals operating within the Incident Management System. 4. Provide a system to gather and process information that supports the incident management system through, planning, safety, and other command functions. 5. Provide a system for the orderly transfer of command to subsequent arriving officers and agencies. 1025.08.03 Types of Command The command function within our Incident Management System will be one of two types: single or unified. Single Command - When the incident is in our district and there is no overlap of jurisdictional boundaries or responsibility with outside agencies, a single Incident Commander will be established and will be responsible for the incident. Unified Command – In a unified command, objectives, strategies, action plans, etc., are made jointly, as opposed to a single commander as above. This type of command is necessary when the incident is in our district or borders on another department’s district, or more than one outside department (agency) shares management responsibility due to the nature of the incident. Examples include brush fires-Division of Forestry; E.M.S. incidents-Fort Myers Beach Fire Dept., Lee and Collier County EMS; Special Operations-Lee County Emergency Management, hazardous material teams; plane crashLee County Port Authority, Federal Aviation Administration, etc. 1025.08.04 Responsibilities of Command The Incident Commander is responsible for the overall coordination and direction of all the activities and tactical priorities. Tactical Priorities 1. Provide for life safety by removing endangered occupants. 2. Stabilize the incident and treat the injured. 3. Conserve property and minimize environmental impact. 4. Provide for the safety, accountability and welfare/rehabilitation of emergency response personnel. 5. Ensure that the functions of extrication, triage, treatment, and transport are completed. 6. Serve as the Safety Officer until position is assigned to another member. Tactical deployment, functions, positions, and priorities are to be based on the following risk management model: 1. We will risk our lives to save lives that are savable. 2. We will moderately risk our lives to save lives that might be savable. 3. We will not risk our lives for lives that are lost and not savable. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 4 of 32 1025.08.05 Functions of Command The Incident Commander is responsible for building a command structure that matches the organizational needs of the incident. The Functions of Command define standard activities that are performed by the Incident Commander to achieve the tactical priorities. This may be one or more of the following which are carried out by the Incident commander until assigned, if necessary. The Functions of Command include: 1. Establish Command/post - Establish an appropriate command structure based on staffing and the operational mode. When possible, locate the command post in the best tactical location based on the operational mode. The command post should be identified by a green flashing light. The incident commander should be identifiable by wearing an Incident Commander vest. 2. Conduct size-up - Rapidly evaluate the situation and control access to hazard area. 3. Communications - Initiate, maintain, and control the communication process. Request and assign tactical channel/s as needed, from Lee Control. VHF radio channels should only be used as necessary and as determined by the Incident Commander. Example, the red channel with DOF on brush fires. On major incidents where multiple outside Fire/EMS agencies will be called in for assistance, the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ communication plan is to be used for tactical radio assignments. 4. Declare mode as nothing showing, offensive, or defensive, for structure fires/special operations - Identify overall strategy, develop an incident action plan, and assign companies and personnel consistent with plans and standard operating guidelines/procedures, based upon the situation and risk management model. 5. Develop an effective Incident Management Organization structure- Based upon the situation, staffing, and the possibility of the incident escalating. 6. Personnel Accountability System - Establish for location and function of all personnel on the scene. (See Accountability SOG) 7. Assign Safety Officer Functions - Safety Officer functions are to be established at all incidents. Ensure rehab is established as required. (See Rehabilitation SOG) 8. Establish a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), depending on the situation. (See RIT SOG) 9. Review, evaluate, and revise the incident action plan, as needed. 10. Provide status reports to the dispatch center as necessary. When working a high risk incident, status reports should be done frequently. 11. Provide for the continuity, transfer, and termination of Command. 12. Provide liaison/coordination with other cooperating/assisting agencies. The Incident Commander is responsible for all of these functions unless delegated to other members. As Command is transferred, so is the responsibility for these functions. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 5 of 32 The first seven functions must be addressed immediately from the initial establishment of Command. 1025.08.06 Establishing Command Formal incident management operations will be established for incidents that require the response of two or more companies. This applies to suppression, emergency medical and special operation incidents. The first fire department member, unit or company to arrive at the scene will establish Command of the incident. The initial Incident Commander will remain in command until command is transferred or the incident is stabilized and terminated. 1. A single company response (trash fire, EMS call, car fire, power lines down, etc.) will only require that company or unit to acknowledge their arrival on the scene. The IMS management in this case is informal. 2. For incidents that require the response of two or more companies, the first unit or company on the scene must establish and announce 5th Street Command, and develop an Incident Command Structure appropriate for the incident and staffing. A tactical channel shall be requested from the dispatch center while enroute to the scene. The first arriving fire department unit activates the command process by giving an initial radio report. The radio report shall include: 1. Designation of the unit arriving on the scene. 2. A brief description of the incident situation (i.e., building size, occupancy, HazMat release, multi-vehicle accident, etc.). 3. Obvious conditions (smoke showing, working fire, Haz Mat spill, multiple patients, etc.). 4. Establishment and identification of command. 5. Declaration of strategy (this applies to structure fires and special operation calls at a minimum): nothing showing, offensive or defensive mode. 6. Tactical radio channel assignment for incoming units as assigned by dispatch. 7. Brief description of action taken, if high risk incident. 8. Any obvious safety concerns, if high risk. 9. Request or release resources, as required. Example: For an offensive structure fire“Engine 23 is on the scene of a single story residential structure with smoke showing. Engine 23 will be establishing Harrel Command, with offensive operations on Tac 6.” For a defensive structure fire“Engine 23 is on the scene of a medium size warehouse fully involved with exposures to the east. Engine 23-A will be establishing 5th Street Command, with defensive operations on Tac 4.” C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 6 of 32 For an EMS incident“Engine 22 is on the scene of a two-vehicle accident with complete road blockage. Engine 22 will be busy triaging. Respond SO for traffic control.” For a single company incident“Rescue 21 is on the scene of a small dumpster fire. Rescue 21-A will be busy extinguishing.” Command Radio Designation The radio designation of “Command” will use the geographical location of the incident as the command radio designation (i.e., 7th Street Command,” “Sunshine Command”). These command designations will not change throughout the duration of the incident. The designation of “ Command” will remain with the officer currently in command of the incident throughout the event. NOTE: the use of clear text communications (plain English) is to be used on all radio communications with the exceptions of the noted codes used on certain EMS calls. 1025.08.07 Modes of Operation The responsibility of the first arriving member or unit is to establish Command of the incident. If a Chief Officer, member, or unit without tactical capabilities (i.e., staff vehicle, lack of equipment, etc.) initiates command, the establishment of a Command Post should be a top priority. At most incidents, the initial Commander will be a company officer. The following command options define the company officer’s direct involvement in tactical activities and the modes of command that may be utilized. Nothing Showing (Investigative) Mode These situations generally require investigation by the initial arriving company while other units remain staged (See Staging SOG). In this case, the officer should go with the company to investigate the situation while utilizing a portable radio to command the incident. Staged units may be assigned as ordered by command. Offensive Mode These situations require immediate action to stabilize the incident, provide search and rescue, save lives, control and extinguish the fire, etc. This mode will usually require the Company Officer’s assistance and direct involvement in the attack. In these situations, the Company Officer will go with the crew to provide the appropriate level of supervision. Example:  Fast fire attack.  Critical life safety situation must be achieved in a compressed time.  Any incident where the safety and welfare of firefighters is a major concern.  Multiple locations of victims. Where fast intervention is critical, utilization of the portable radio will permit the Company Officer’s involvement in the offensive mode without neglecting Command responsibilities. The offensive mode should not last more than a few minutes (15-20) and will end with one of the following: C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 7 of 32 1. Situation is stabilized. 2. Situation is not stabilized and the Company Officer must withdraw to the exterior and establish a Command Post. At some time, the Company Officer will decide whether or not to withdraw the remainder of the crew. No crews shall remain in a hazardous area without radio communication capabilities unless working in a bomb threat or explosive area. Defensive Mode Certain incidents, by virtue of their size, complexity, exposure, or potential for rapid expansion, inability to save lives, require immediate strong, direct, overall command. In such cases, the Company Officer may initially assume a safe, exterior, effective command position and maintain that position until relieved by a higher-ranking officer. A tactical worksheet shall be initiated and utilized to assist in managing this type of incident. If the Company Officer selects the defensive mode, the following options are available regarding the assignment of his/her remaining crew members: 1. The officer may “move up” within the company and place the company into action with the remaining members. One of the crew members will serve as the acting Company Officer and shall be provided with a portable radio. The collective and individual capabilities and experience of the crew will regulate this action. 2. The officer may assign the crew members to work under the supervision of another Company Officer. In such cases, the officer assuming command must communicate with the officer of the other company and indicate the assignment of those personnel. 3. The officer may elect to assign the crew members to perform section and/or staff functions to assist command. (Planning, logistics, safety, PIO, etc.) A Company Officer establishing command has a choice of modes and degrees of personnel involvement in the tactical activities, but continues to be fully responsible for the command functions. The initiative and judgment of the officer are of great importance. The modes identified are guidelines to assist the officer in planning appropriate actions. The actions initiated should conform to one of the above three modes of operation. If modes are changed during operations, it is essential that all emergency personnel working on the scene are advised of the change of operational mode, withdrawn from the hot zone if necessary, and a Personnel Accountability Report is completed. 1025.08.08 Passing Command In certain situations, it may be advantageous for a first arriving Company Officer to pass command to the next Company Officer on the scene. This is indicated when the initial commitment of the first arriving company requires a full crew (i.e., high-rise or an immediate rescue situation) and another company is on the scene. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 8 of 32 “Passing Command” to a unit that is not on the scene creates a gap in the command process and compromises incident management. To prevent this “gap”, command should not be passed to an officer who is not on the scene. It is preferable to have the initial arriving Company Officer continue to operate in command, until command can be passed to an on-scene officer. When a higher-ranking officer arrives at the scene simultaneously with the initial arriving company, the higher-ranking officer may establish command. Should a situation occur where a later arriving company or higher-ranking officer cannot locate or communicate with command (after three radio attempts, two verbal and one page), he/she will assume and announce their assumption of command with the members on the scene and the dispatch center, initiate a Personal Accountability Report (PAR), and initiate whatever actions are necessary to confirm the safety of the missing officer and or possibly the crew. 1025.08.09 Transfer of Command Command is transferred to improve the quality of the command organization. The following guidelines outline the transfer of command process: Example: 1. The first department member arriving on the scene will automatically establish command. This will normally be a Company Officer, such as a lieutenant, but could be any fire department member, including the Chief. 2. The first arriving Company Officer will assume command after the transfer of command procedures have been completed (assuming an equal or higher-ranking officer has not already assumed command). 3. In certain situations, it may be necessary for the Company Officer to transfer command to the next Company Officer on the scene. 4. The first arriving higher-ranking officer should assume command of the incident following transfer of command procedures. 5. Later arriving Chief Officers may choose to assume command or assume a command section/staff position. The arrival of a higher-ranking officer on the scene does not mean that command has been automatically transferred to that Officer. Command is only transferred when the below outlined transfer of command process is completed. The actual transfer of Command should be as follows: A. The officer assuming command will communicate with the person being relieved by radio or preferably face-to-face. B. The person being relieved will brief the officer assuming command, indicating at least the following: 1. Incident conditions (fire location and extent, hazardous material spill or release, number/condition of patients, etc.). 2. Initial Incident action plan. 3. Progress toward completion of the tactical objectives (action plan). C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 9 of 32 4. Deployment and assignment of operating companies and personnel. 5. Safety considerations. 6. Appraisal of need for additional resources. C. The person being relieved of command should review the tactical worksheet with the officer assuming command. This sheet provides the most effective framework for command transfer as it outlines the location and status of personnel and resources in a standard form that should be well known to all members. The person being relieved of command may be reassigned to the best advantage by the officer assuming command, as needed. 1025.08.10 Terminating Command Command will be terminated when the incident has de-escalated to a point where the remaining Company Officer can safely and effectively supervise the remaining activities, or when all companies have been cleared to return to service. The Incident Commander will ensure the following is complete prior to terminating command: 1. The Incident Action Plan has been completed. 2. The Incident Management Organization can be effectively and safely terminated. 3. All emergency personnel will have been accounted for by a PAR. 4. The victim assistance worksheet has been completed, if necessary. 5. The scene has been safely and properly secured and turned over to the proper authority, if available. 6. Tactical channel(s) have been cleared. 7. The Dispatch Center is advised that command has been terminated and all remaining companies and units are cleared of the scene. 1025.08.11 Command Assignments and Orders All assignments and orders issued by the Incident Commander, Branch, Division, Group Officers, members of the command section and staff will be carried out as ordered. Where conflicting assignments/orders are received at any level, the officer or individual receiving the conflicting order will inform the officer/individual giving the order that a conflict exists. If the conflicting order is required to be carried out, the individual giving the conflicting order will so inform the officer/individual who initiated the order. 1025.08.12 Emergency Radio Communications Emergency messages/hazardous conditions: When a member, crew, group, division, or branch has an emergency message they are to call command or operations, if established, stating “red alert - red alert” and state their message/hazard. Once command or operations has the message, it will be announced to all units on the scene. Next, command or operations will have each group/division/branch acknowledge the message. After acknowledgement of all group/divisions/branches, command or operations will announce that radio traffic may return to normal, dependent upon the emergency condition. Injured/missing, trapped emergency personnel: When a member or crew becomes injured (and can’t remove themselves) or trapped, they are to call their group/division/branch command, or operations, if established, stating “May Day-May C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 10 of 32 Day” and state their situation. Upon command or operations notification, they will call for radio silence, announce the emergency message, and if required, move all noneffected groups/divisions/ branches to the next available tactical channel. This will now leave command, or operations, the injured or trapped member/crew and the rapid intervention team on the main tactical channel to conduct search and rescue for the member/crew. A member of the command section will then conduct a PAR with all the non-effected groups/divisions/branches. Immediate evacuation from the hazard area: Whenever any member on the scene becomes aware of an immediate life safety threat to members operating in a hazardous area, they are to announce “Red Alert-Red Alert” and state the situation and location. Command or operations, Branches/Divisions/Groups, if established, will have a fire truck air horn activated for approximately 15 seconds. Command or operations, will ensure that all Groups/Divisions/Branches have been notified of the situation and immediate evacuation. All personnel/crews exiting the hazard area are to report to a safe area and conduct a PAR. This PAR is to be given to the Group/Division/Branch Officer who will pass it to command/accountability. The exiting crews will reunite and wait for further orders. Command or operations may order a second blast of the air horn. Command or operations will then order the appropriate action. If Command or operations is first aware of an immediate life safety threat, they will order the air horn activation and state the situation. 1025.08.13 Command Structure It is the responsibility of command to develop an organizational structure, in order to effectively manage the incident scene. The development of the organizational structure is to begin with the deployment of the first arriving fire department unit and continue through a number of phases, depending on the type, size, and complexity of the incident. The command organization must develop at a pace that stays ahead of the tactical deployment of personnel and resources. In order for the Incident Commander to manage the incident, he/she must first be able to direct, control, and track the position and function of all operating companies. Building a command organization is the best safety mechanism the Incident Commander can utilize to achieve the balance between managing the safety of personnel, strategic, and tactical needs. Simply put, this means: Large scale and complex incidents = Big Command Organization-1% of daily incidents Small scale and “simple” incidents = Small Command Organization-99% of daily incidents The Incident Commander should have more people working than commanding. The basic configuration of command includes three levels: 1. Strategic level – Overall direction of the incident. 2. Tactical level – Objectives assigned to Branch/Division/Group officers. 3. Task level – Specific tasks assigned to companies in Groups. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 11 of 32 The strategic level – This level involves the overall command of the incident, and is the responsibility of the Incident Commander. The action plan should cover all strategic, tactical, and support activities needed during the incident. The Action Plan defines where and when resources will be assigned to the incident and controls the situation. This plan is the basis for developing a command organization, assigning all resources and establishing tactical objectives by priority. The strategic level responsibilities include: 1. Determining the appropriate strategy Nothing Showing OR OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE. 2. Establishing a strategic plan for the incident – Action Plan. 3. Setting priorities. 4. Obtaining and allocating resources. 5. Predicting outcomes and planning. 6. Assigning specific objectives to tactical level units. The tactical level – This level directs activities toward specific objectives. Tactical level officers include Branch/Division and or Group Officers, who are in charge of grouped resources. Tactical level officers are responsible for specific geographical areas and or personnel assigned to Branches/Divisions/Group. A group assignment comes with the authority to make decisions and assignments, within the boundaries of the overall plan and safety conditions. The accumulated achievements of tactical objectives should accomplish the strategic level goals. The task level – This level refers to those activities normally accomplished by individual companies or specific personnel working in groups. This is where the work is actually done. Task level activities are routinely supervised by Company Officers. The accumulated achievements of task level activities should accomplish tactical objectives. The company officer shall maintain an ongoing awareness of the location and condition of all company members. Members/emergency personnel will be responsible to remain under the supervision of their assigned officer. Emergency personnel will operate in teams of two or more when working in hazardous areas. Examples: The most basic organization combines all three levels of the command structure. The Company Officer on a single engine response to a dumpster fire or individual medical patient, determines the strategy and tactic, and then supervises the crew doing the task. The basic structure for a “routine” incident, involving less than two companies, requires two levels of the command structure. The role of command combines the strategic and tactical levels. Grouped resources: Strike team: This is usually five of the same kind and type of resources and has a leader known as a “strike team leader” and an “assistant strike team leader” (i.e. 5 engines and a strike team leader and assistant). Task force: This is usually a group of five resources of any kind and type and has a leader known as a “Task Force Leader” (i.e. 2 engines, 3 brush trucks, an assistant task force leader, a task force leader, and a tender if needed). C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 12 of 32 Incident Definitions: The following provides a basic example of the definition of the listed categories. These definitions are not all inclusive. Major Fire: Commercial structure greater than 5,000 square feet or high/special risk structure; a high-rise or multi-residential structure; a brush fire involving a large geographical area and or involving multiple structures requiring protection; a fire requiring a large evacuation of individuals etc. MCI: An emergency medical incident when responders have more patients than can be treated with the initial resources on scene or when five or more patients are encountered. Special Operations incident: This includes the following types of rescue categories: Confined space, hazardous materials, high/low angle rope, machinery, Structural collapse, trench/excavation, water, and wilderness search and rescue. 1025.08.14 Groups and Group Officers Group Officers Emergency situations often exceed the capability of one officer to effectively manage the entire operation. The Incident Commander should group members and companies to work in groups. Groups reduce the span of control to more manageable and smallersized units. Groups allow the Incident Commander to communicate principally with Group Officers, rather than multiple, individual Company Officers, thus providing an effective command structure and incident scene organization. Group responsibilities should be assigned early in the incident, typically to the first company assigned to a function (Salvage Group, Triage Group, etc.). This early establishment of groups provides an effective Incident Command organization framework on which the operation can be built and expanded. As groups are implemented, command continues to operate at the strategic level, determining the overall strategy to deal with the incident. The term group represents functional or geographical operations. Example: IC Group Group Group C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 13 of 32 Groups Normally, at this level of incident, a Company Officer can effectively supervise his/her own crew, and direct and coordinate the efforts of three or four additional companies assigned to his/her group. As operations expand in complexity and size, and as additional higher-ranking officers become available, the Incident Commander should assign them to relieve Company Officers and assume group responsibilities. The use of groups in the command organization provides a standard system to divide the incident scene into smaller subordinate command units or areas. The number of groups that can be effectively managed by the Incident Commander varies. In fast moving, complex operations, a span of control of no more than five groups is indicated. In slower moving, less complex operations, the Incident Commander may effectively manage more groups. When the number of groups exceeds the span of control that the Incident Commander can effectively manage, or at any point that the Incident Commander chooses, the incident organization should establish an Operations Division. The Operations Officer is responsible for Branches/Divisions and Groups. Each division is responsible for several groups and should be assigned a separate tactical channel. As a general rule no more than five companies should be assigned to each group, no more than five groups should be assigned to each division, and no more than five divisions should be assigned to a branch. Example: Incident Commander Operations Officer Interior Group Exposure Group Ventilation Group Group procedures provide an array of major functions that may be selectively implemented according to the needs of the incident. This places responsibility for the details and execution of each particular function on a Group Officer. When effective groups have been established, the Incident Commander can concentrate on overall strategy and resource allocation, allowing the Group Officers/Operations Officer to manage their assigned units. The Incident Commander determines strategic goals and assigns tactical objectives and resources to the groups. Each Group Officer is responsible for the tactical deployment of the resources at his/her disposal in order to complete the tactical objectives assigned by the Incident Commander/Operations Officer. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 14 of 32 Group Officers are also responsible for communicating needs and progress to Command or the Operations Officer, if established. Groups reduce the overall amount of radio communications. Most routine communications within a group should be conducted in a face-to-face manner between Company Officers and their Group Officer. This process reduces radio traffic and increases ability to transmit critical radio communications. The safety and accountability of fire fighting and emergency personnel represents the major reason for establishing groups. Each Group Officer must maintain communication with assigned companies to control both their position and function. The Group Officer must constantly monitor all hazardous situations and risks to personnel. The Group Officer must take appropriate action to ensure that companies are operating in a safe and effective manner. Command should begin to assign groups based on the following factors: 1. Situations which will eventually involve a number of companies or functions. Command should initially assign group responsibilities to the first companies assigned to a function until higher-ranking officers are available. 2. When Command can no longer effectively cope with or manage the number of companies currently involved in the operation. 3. When companies are involved in complex operations. (Large interior, MCIs or equivalent, and special operations) 4. When companies are operating from tactical positions which command has little or no direct control over. (i.e. out of sight) 5. When the situation presents special hazards and close control is required over operating companies (i.e., unstable structural conditions, special operations, heavy fire load, and marginal offensive situations). 6. When Command desires to have groups established. 7. When staffing levels are below normal and outside agencies will be responding to the incident. When establishing a group, the Incident Commander will assign each Group Officer the following: 1. Tactical objectives (Stop forward progress of the fire). 2. A radio designation (Roof Group, Triage Group, etc.). 3. The identity of resources assigned to the group. 4. A separate tactical channel, if necessary. Groups will be regulated by the following guidelines: 1. It will be the ongoing responsibility of Command to assign groups as required for safe emergency operations; this assignment will relate to functional groups. 2. Command will advise each Group Officer of specific tactical objectives. The overall strategy and plan will and should also be provided, (time permitting) so the Group Officer has some idea of what is going on and how his assignment fits. 3. The number of companies assigned to a group will depend on the conditions within that group. Command will maintain an awareness of the number of C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 15 of 32 companies operating within a group and the capability of that Group Officer to effectively direct operations. If a Group Officer cannot control the resources within the group, he/she should notify the Incident Commander so that a new group can be established or other corrective action taken. In most cases, five companies represent the maximum span of control for a Group Officer. 4. Groups assigned to specific operating areas will be designated by directions (East Group, North Group, etc.). Where incidents involve odd geographic boundaries (with no obvious North, South, East, West) it may be confusing to assign directional designations to groups (East Group, etc.). Therefore, an alternate use of Group A, B, C, D should be used. Group “A” is the front of the building and the other groups proceed clockwise around the building in alphabetical order. Example: Geographical Example: Alphabetical Group C North Group East Group West Group Rear Group B Group D Front South Group Group A Road Note: In multi-story occupancies, a floor will be a geographical area-designed as a division with the floor number. (Division 10 indicates 10th floor.) In some cases the floor division may be subdivided into functional groups. Functional groups will be identified by the function. (Salvage Group, Search Group, Ventilation Group, etc.) Brush fires will also be geographical and designed Divisions possibly expanded to Branches. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 16 of 32 Example: Multistory Division 5 5th Floor Division 4 4th Floor Division 3 3rd Floor Division 2 2nd Floor Division 1 1st Floor Group Officers will use the group designation in radio communications (i.e. “Interior Group to Command”). Groups will be commanded by a Group Officer. Group Officers may be any fire department member designated by Command. In many cases, the initial group responsibility will be given to the Company Officer who receives the initial assignment to a basic tactical function (treatment, roof, etc). When necessary, Command will assign a higher-ranking officer to assume group responsibilities. Regular Transfer of Command procedures will be followed in transferring group responsibility. In some cases, a Group Officer may be assigned to a function initially to evaluate and report conditions and advise Command of needed tasks and resources. The assigned officer will proceed to the group, evaluate and report conditions to the Incident Commander, and assume responsibility for directing resources and operations within his/her assigned area of responsibility. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 17 of 32 The Group Officer must be in a position to directly supervise and monitor operations. This will require the Group Officer to be equipped with the appropriate protective clothing and equipment for his/her area of responsibility. Group Officer Responsibility Group Officers will be responsible for and will have the full authority to carry out all assigned functions within their group. This requires each Group Officer to: 1. Complete objectives assigned by Command. 2. Account for and monitor all assigned personnel, if an Accountability Officer is not assigned to the group. 3. Ensure that operations are conducted safely. Stop/correct any unsafe operation/act in their section. 4. Monitor work progress. 5. Redirect activities as necessary. 6. Coordinate actions with related activities and adjacent groups. 7. Monitor welfare of group personnel. 8. Request additional resources as needed. 9. Provide Command with essential and frequent progress reports every 15 minutes or as major changes occur. 10. Re-allocate resources within the group. The Group Officer should be readily identifiable and maintain a visible position as much as possible. The primary function of Company Officers working within a group is to direct the operations of their individual crews in performing their assigned task. Company Officers will advise their Group Officer of work progress, preferably face-to-face. All requests for additional resources or assistance within a group must be directed to the Group Officer. Group Officers will communicate with Command or Operations. Each Group Officer will keep Command informed of conditions and progress in the group through regular progress reports every 15 minutes, or more frequently if the incident is high risk. The Group Officer must prioritize progress reports to essential information only. Command must be advised immediately of significant changes, particularly those involving the ability or inability to complete an objective, hazardous conditions, accidents, structural collapse, etc. When a company is assigned from Staging to an operating group, the company will be told to which group and Group Officer they will be reporting and the radio channel on which the group is working. The Group Officer will be informed of which particular companies or units have been assigned by the Incident Commander. It is the responsibility of the Group Officer to contact the assigned company to relay any instructions relative to the specific action requested. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 18 of 32 Group Officers will monitor the condition of the crews operating in their group. Relief crews will be requested to maintain the safety of personnel and progress toward the group objectives. Group Officers will ensure an orderly and thorough reassignment of crews to the Rehab Group. Crews must report to rehab intact to facilitate accountability. 1025.08.15 Types of Groups The types of groups and general functions to be established are based upon the incident type, complexity, and size as a general rule. The three most common types of incidents seen are fire, EMS, and special operations. Example of Organizational Chart: Incident Commander or Operations Officer Interior Group Ventilation Group Exposure Group Recon Group Decon Group Research Group Triage Group Treatment Group Transport Group Fire Special Special Ops Operations EMS Example: SUPPRESSION Geographical Groups - These groups are based upon supervisory tasks covering all the activities within each group, as defined by the Incident Commander, i.e., North, South, East, and West groups or Groups A, B, C, and D. Functional Groups - Based upon both function and supervisory tasks these might include: A. Search and Rescue - This group is responsible for conducting a primary and sometimes a secondary search. 1. A primary search is an initial search for victims. 2. A secondary search is a search for victims once the fire has been extinguished/knocked down and visibility has improved. B. Reconnaissance (Recon) - This group is responsible for gathering information on the fire and relaying it to the Incident Commander, i.e., fire location, fire extension (actual/probable), structural conditions, exposure, hazards, amount of acreage involved, etc. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 19 of 32 C. Attack - This group is responsible for searching and extinguishing the main seat of the fire and other fire extension areas. This group may also be involved with search and rescue of victims. D. Roof - This group is responsible for opening ventilation holes in a structure. Note: This group may have other responsibilities than ventilation when assigned to the roof area. This group may also be called the Ventilation Group. E. Ventilation - This group is responsible for carrying out the required ventilation of a structure or defined area. F. Site Control - This group is responsible for locating and securing utilities (lockout/tag-out) that may present a hazard on the emergency scene. G. Exposure - This group is responsible for protecting exposures adjacent to the fire building/area from catching on fire. H. Interior - This group is responsible for all assigned interior operations that may take place in a structure or a specific area in a structure. Note: There may be more than one interior group in a structure at a time. I. Exterior - This group is responsible for assigned fire ground operations located outside of the fire building. J. Overhaul - This group is responsible for finding and extinguishing any remaining fires in the structure. Another function of this group is to ensure that there is no extension from the main fire area. K. Rehabilitation - This group is responsible for evaluating, monitoring, and replenishing the physical state of emergency personnel. Injuries and illnesses are treated in this group. L. Base - This group serves as the initial check-in area for emergency personnel, equipment and apparatus at high-rise structures/incidents. It is established outside the building at a location determined by the Incident Commander. All emergency personnel and equipment are assigned from this group to a working group. M. Lobby - This group is responsible for locating/relaying information from the fire alarm panel, running the elevator/elevators, controlling emergency personnel and civilians in and out of the structure (high rises) from floors above and below the lobby, directing emergency personnel to the elevators and stairwells, controlling the building’s public address system. When no accountability section is assigned, the Lobby Group is responsible for accounting for all emergency personnel involved in operations above/ below the lobby floor. N. Accountability – This group is responsible for tracking and accounting for all emergency personnel on the emergency scene and working in the hazard area/zone. O. Rapid Intervention Team – This group consists of a crew/crews assigned only for the purpose of providing emergency rescue of emergency personnel on an incident. P. Staging – This is a location where personnel and apparatus are to stand-by until assigned where to report to or assigned a specific task. Q. Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) – A minimum of two fully-equipped personnel on site, in a ready state, for immediate rescue of injured or trapped C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 20 of 32 emergency personnel until a full Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) can be established. SPECIAL OPERATIONS This includes the following types of rescue categories: confined space, hazardous materials, high/low angle rope, machinery, structural collapse, trench/excavation, water, and wilderness search and rescue. The following are the most common groups and general functions that may be implemented in the majority of the special operation categories: Site Control -This group is responsible for identifying the boundary zones (cold, warm, and hot), establishing access routes to the hazard site, moving individuals and other objects from in and around the hazard site, preventing the spread of contaminate material if present, conducting lock-out/tag-out and blocking and blinding procedures, if necessary. Research - This group attempts to secure all the information on products involved in the incident. Information at a minimum: product identification, product handling, health hazards, fire hazards, environment hazards, and required personal protective clothing. Entry - This group consists of crews, varying in number depending on category that will be operating in the hot zone to carry out various functions, from victim rescue to hazardous material control. Back-up/Rescue - This group consists of crews that will be operating in the hot zone to provide emergency back-up to the primary entry team, should an emergency situation occur that may require rapid and or assisted removal. NOTE: This group may also be called the Rapid Intervention Team. Decontamination (decon) - This group is responsible for providing all primary and secondary decontamination of emergency personnel and equipment. This group may also provide decon to victims of the incident. Ventilation - This group is responsible for ventilating confined spaces and specific areas as required. It may also be responsible for atmospheric monitoring in some situations. Supplied Air - This group is responsible for setting up and monitoring the remote air system and lines which may be being used by entry and back-up teams. Rigging/Hauling - This group is responsible for setting up the proper mechanical system required for raising/lowering of rescuers/victims (low/high angle rescue) as well as lowering/raising rescuers/victims from confined spaces. Rapid Intervention Team - This group consists of a crew/crews assigned only for providing emergency rescue of emergency personnel on an incident. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 21 of 32 Staging – This is where personnel and apparatus are to stand-by until assigned where to report to or assigned a specific task. Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) – A minimum of two fully-equipped personnel on site, in a ready state, for immediate rescue of injured or trapped emergency personnel until a full Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) can be established. EMERGENCY MEDICAL INCIDENTS The following are the most common groups and general functions that may be implemented in emergency medical incidents (MCI’s): Extrication- This group is implemented in incidents that require physical disentanglement and removal of trapped patients. This group may also be responsible for locating, determining the number of victims, disentanglement, initial treatment, and delivering patients to the triage, treatment, or collection point. Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) – A minimum of two fully-equipped personnel on site, in a ready state, for immediate rescue of injured or trapped emergency personnel until a full Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) can be established. Rapid Intervention Team – This group consists of a crew/crews assigned only for the purpose of providing emergency rescue of emergency personnel on an incident. Staging – This is where personnel and apparatus are to stand-by until assigned where to report to or assigned a specific task. Triage - This group is responsible for the evaluating and classifying patients to determine their medical treatment priority. This evaluating is based upon the S.T.A.R.T. triage system. Treatment - This group is established to provide medical treatment to the three categories of ill/injured patients until transported or released from the scene. Transport - This group is responsible for determining and arranging for transport (through Command) of the necessary patients from the treatment area. Transportation from this group is through ground units, air units, buses, etc. Movement of patients from the treatment group to the transport groups is also a function of this group. 1025.08.16 Divisions and Division Officers As the incident requires or as the incident organization grows in complexity and the span of control with groups is maximized, the Incident Commander may divide the incident into geographical divisions. The Division level, an intermediate level, of the organization is designed to provide COORDINATION between the groups and command. Division Officers supervise and manage usually no more than five Group Officers, and report to the established Branch officer or Operations Officer. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 22 of 32 Division Officers should be utilized at incidents where the situation requires the incident be divided into geographical areas, the span of control with groups is maximized, incidents involving two or more different, major management components, (i.e., a large fire with a major evacuation, a large fire with a number of patients) or established earlier if desired by the Incident Commander. The Incident Commander may elect to assign Division Officers as forward positions to coordinate the activities between groups. The intent of the division level of the Command structure is to split an incident into manageable geographical components and reduce span of control. Division Officers will normally be utilized at large-scale incidents that involve one or two major components. The following types of incidents are examples where Division Officers may be utilized: 1. Multi-jurisdictional incidents. 2. Special operation incidents. 3. Incidents that require a major evacuation (Hurricane). 4. A large-scale incident spread over a wide geographical area (i.e., brush fires). 5. An incident with mass casualties and a significant hazard (i.e., fire, haz-mat, plane crash, floods, etc.). 6. High-rise fires. 7. An incident where the number of groups exceed the span of control that can be effectively managed by the Incident Commander or the Operations Officer. The Division Officer’s roles and responsibilities are to manage and direct activities of Group Officers. Division Officers will have the full authority to complete such activities. Additionally, they are to stop/correct any unsafe operation/act in their division. Each Division Officer must maintain communications with assigned Group Officers to control both their position and function. Division Officers should operate on separate tactical channels, if possible. The radio designation of Division Officers should reflect the geographic area (i.e., Fire Division, West Division, Division A, etc). The Division Officer should be identified by an orange colored vest labeled Division Officer. When Command implements Division Officers, the Group Officers should be notified by Command of their new supervisor. This information should include: 1. What Division the Group is now assigned to. 2. The officer in charge of the Division. 3. The tactical channel the Division (and Group) is assigned to. Radio communications should then be directed from the Group Officer to the Division Officer – instead of Command or Operations. Group Officers will relay this information to the companies working in their Group. Division Officer positions should be assigned to higher-ranking officers or chief officers. Depending on the situation, Division Officers may be located at the Command Post or at a remote location. When located at the Command Post, Division Officers can communicate on a face to face basis with the Operations Officer or the Branch Officer, if established. When an incident encompasses a large geographic area it may be more effective to have Division Officers in forward operating positions. In these situations, C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 23 of 32 Command must assign officers in the Command Post to monitor each division tactical channel. The Incident Commander may occasionally be faced with a situation where he/she has very little control over operational group(s). This would include groups in conflicting positions (personnel blasting one another with hose streams), multiple groups spilling into each other, defensive fire operations in one area and offensive operations in the adjoining fire area. Command should utilize a Division Officer in these types of situations to go to a forward position and coordinate the activities of these groups. The Division Officer should give a status report, at a minimum, every 30 minutes to the Operations Officer or the Branch Officer, if established. Example: Divisions See Appendix “A” 1025.08.17 Branches and Branch Officers As the incident organization continues to grow in complexity, and the span of control within the division is maximized, the Incident Commander may implement an additional organizational level within the Command organization. The Branch Level, functionally or geographically based, of the organization is designed to provide COORDINATION between the divisions and Command. Branch Officers supervise and manage usually no more than five Division Officers, and report to the Incident Commander or Operations Officer. Branch Officers should be utilized at incidents where the incident requires the situation being divided into functional or geographical areas, where the span of control with divisions is maximized, incidents involving two or more different major management components, (i.e., a large fire with a major evacuation, a large fire with a number of patients) or established earlier if desired by the Incident Commander. The Incident Commander may elect to assign Branch Officers as forward positions to coordinate the activities between divisions. The intent of the branch level of the Command structure is to split an incident into manageable components and reduce span of control. Branch Officers will normally be utilized at very large-scale incidents that involve two or more major components. The following types of incidents are examples where Branch Officers may be utilized: 1. Multi-jurisdictional incidents. 2. Special operation incidents. 3. Incidents that require a major evacuation. (Hurricane). 4. A large-scale incident spread over a wide geographical area (i.e., brush fires). 5. An incident with mass casualties and a significant hazard (i.e., fire, haz-mat, plane crash, floods, etc). 6. High-rise fires. 7. An incident where the number of divisions exceed the span of control that can be effectively managed by the Incident Commander or the Operations Officer. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\0ed65a58-f65e-4c1e-8542-5a443b9e5285.doc Page 24 of 32 The Branch Officer’s roles and responsibilities are to manage and direct activities of Division Officers. Branch Officers will have the full authority to complete such activities. Additionally, they are to stop/correct any unsafe operation/act in their branch. Each Branch Officer must maintain communications with assigned Division Officers to control both their position and function. Branch Officers should operate on separate tactical channels, as assigned. The radio designation of Branch Officers should reflect the function or geographic area of the branch (i.e., Fire Branch, Medical Branch, etc). The Branch Officer should be identified by an orange colored vest labeled Branch Officer. When Command implements Branch Officers, the Division Officers should be notified by Command of their new supervisor. This information should include: 1. What branch the division is now assigned to. 2. The officer in charge of the branch. 3. The tactical channel the branch (and division) is assigned. Radio communications should then be directed from the Division Officer to the Branch Officer – instead of Operations, if established. Branch Officers should give status reports, at a minimum every 30 minutes to Operations. Division Officers will relay this information to the companies working in their group. Branch Officer positions should be assigned to higher-ranking officers or chief officers. Depending on the situation, Branch Officers may be located at the Command Post or at a remote location. When located at the Command Post, Branch Officers can communicate on a face to face basis with the Incident Commander and/or the Operations Officer. When an incident encompasses a large geographic area it may be more effective to have Branch Officers in forward operating positions. In these situations, Command must assign officers in the Command Post to monitor each branch tactical channel. The Incident Commander may occasionally be faced with a situ