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Risk Management Learning Center' faculty share real life experiences through workshops, presentations, and Community Outreach programs.  
RICH WOLDT

CPP, CFE, Private Detective, ACFEI Homeland Security Level III

Phone:
608.712.7880
Email: Rich@RMLearningCenter.com
 
   
 
Incident Commander- Fire Chief
Safety - Assistant to: Fire Chief
Information- Communications Assistant to: Fire Chief
Liaison - Assistant to Fire Chief
Operations Chief - Sheriff or Assistant to Fire Chief
Planning Chief Director of Emergency Government
Logistics Chief Director of: Village or City or Township or County Planners
Finance Chief - Tax Assessor or Treasurer or Building Inspector for municipalities involved
 
Staging Area
Fire & EMTs   Fire Chiefs: cities, villages, townships, private sector:
Medical Evac: Rescue Squads, HAZMAT teams, Ambulance & Special Transports, Triage, Hospital ERs, First Aide & Elderly care facilities, etc.
Funeral Homes: Coroner, Transport, Morticians.
Law Enforcement Sheriff:  SWAT, Patrols, Investigators, Constables, Reserves
City Police: SWAT, Patrols, Investigators, Constables, Reserves
Town/Village Constable: SWAT, Patrols, Investigators, Constables, Reserves
FBI: Negotiators, SWAT, Investigators,
Secret Service:  Investigations
AFT: Investigations
Military: Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
 
Evacuation & Transportation
Public Transport Ambulance, Elderly Transports, Buses, cars, Trucks, Trains, Airplanes, boats, ships, etc.
 
Communications
Law Enforcement, Fire, EMTs, Hospitals, Private Sector
 
Private Sector
Hospitals: Doctors (D), Nurses (N), Retired D&Ns Volunteer D&Ns
EMTs:        Retired, Volunteers, & off-duty
Senior Citizen Centers: Doctors RN's & Specialty care personnel.
 
PrivateTransport Ambulance, Elderly Transports, Buses, cars, Trucks, Trains, Airplanes, boats, ships, etc.
Incident Command Organization - Checklist and Assumption of command!  
Incident Command Responsibilities and Tasks - Briefings  
Incident Command Responsibilities and Tasks - Planning  
Incident Command Responsibilities and Tasks - Operations  
Incident Command Responsibilities and Tasks - Staffing  
   
   

The Risk Management Learning Center

Presents

The Virtual Incident Command System ICS

Remember GREEN lights identify:

IC Posts, Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), Staging Areas, etc.

The "virtual" ICS is staffed by RMLC faculty who've experienced the ICS during the Oklahoma City Bombing, The '95 and 9-11-01 attack on the World Trade Center, Hurricanes Charley, Ophelia, Dennis, Emily, Ivan, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, Tornados in Stoughton, Town of Dunn, Egg Harbor, and less dramatic yet life threatening incidents including robberies, burglaries, extortions, home invasions, and drug busts. White papers dealing with the latest ICS theories and practices are often published for your review and comments. Click here to receive or comment on white papers, here to consider presentations and workshops, and here to meet RMLC faculty.  Over 500 professional first responders around the world are monitoring the V-ICS, recommending response protocols and ICS process improvements. Our goal is to "keep it simple" and "user friendly." Therefore, by design the V-ICS focuses on IC fundamentals, the seven key job functions, and proven response protocols that have been tested under fire.

The V-ICS is NOTa substitute for the ICS adopted by professional first responders who serve your city, county, state, and country. Rather, the V-ICS provides them with a teaching tool they might use to support and refresh the "Training Based" programs delivered by professional fire fighters, law enforcement, emergency government, and homeland security personnel in your area. The V-ICS is specifically designed as a "Performance Based" teaching tool for the private sector (companies, business associations, schools, churches, veteran organizations, groups, clubs and societies) who might be called on to support and assist professional first responders during a large-scale disaster or terrorist attack.

The Virtual Incident Command System - Teaching Templates

The following template uses job or position titles typically found within a county, parish, city, village, or township in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, South Korea, and Australia. 

Note to Reader: The staffing of the V-ICS only indicates an RMLC faculty person most likely to perform the duties and responsibilities of an ICS position based on career and life experiences. The "My Village ICS" recommends staffing based on Village government and job responsibilities. We recommend two people be selected for each position and everyone be cross trained. You'll never know who will be available when disaster strikes!

 

Incident Commander: There is one “Incident Commander (IC) for each incident so all coordination flows to one person authorized to act. The IC should be the one most familiar with the incident. If needed, the IC designates three Command Staff. “Safety” monitors the scene to ensure its safe and all responders are qualified, equipped and ready to roll, “Information” handles the media and makes sure everyone is informed of facts as they unfold. “Liaison” coordinates responding agencies when the IC moves from a “Single Command” to a “Unified Command.”

 

Operations: Sets up staging areas to assemble response assets and coordinate personnel when the IC requests a “strike” or “mission” operation. For example, a SWAT team might have to strike first to stop a sniper, followed by firemen, EMTs, and transporters on a mission to rescue the injured, followed by engineers and contractors to rebuild the area.The operations section carries out the tactics necessary to achieve the strategic objectives given by the incident command or unified command.

 

Staging Area(s): Staging areas are used to inventory response assets and assemble personnel at a safe and secure distance from the “Hot Site.” Staging areas are used to equip, coordinate, brief, and deploy response personnel. 

 

Planning: “Strategic” and “Contingency” planners write “incident action plan(s)” for the duration of the incident based on the incident goals and strategic objectives determined by the incident commander or the unified command. Based on damage assessments and reports from Operations, plans are written for the next operational period which may be 8, 12, or 24 48 hours. During major disasters such as the Oklahoma City bombing, 9-11, and Hurricane Katrina, long range recovery plans for the next 6 to 12 months might be proposed.

  Logistics: First determines where the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and Staging Areas should be located and than makes sure they are properly equipped and ready to occupy. This included providing appropriate table space for Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance, and other EOC personnel, a separate media briefing room and secured communication links. In addition to monitoring victims, Logistics is responsible to provide housing, food, training and incident supplies for all responders
 

INCIDENT COMMANDER CHECKLIST - ORGANIZATION

 

The Incident Commander is responsible for the overall management of all incident activities, including the development and implementation of strategy, and for approving the ordering and release of resources.  In multi-jurisdictional incidents, the duties of the Incident Commander may be carried out by a unified command established jointly by the agencies that have direct jurisdictional or functional responsibility for the incident.  In those single-jurisdiction incidents where assisting agencies have significant resources committed, the responsible agency may establish a unified command at the incident command level, or place assisting agency personnel in key positions within the organizational structure.  The Incident Commander may have a deputy.  The deputy’s responsibilities will be as delegated by the Incident Commander.

 ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND 

Taking over the command of the incident requires that the Incident Commander obtain a complete and up-to-date incident briefing.  This can only be accomplished if the individual who is relinquishing command can bring the new commander up to date on what the situation is at the time of the briefing.  Therefore, it is important that the commander being relieved prepares the Incident Briefing (ICS Form 201 or local form) as completely as possible for the new commander. 

The Incident Commander will assume command of an incident after the overall situation is reviewed.  Prior to the briefing, the outgoing Incident Commander must ensure that sufficient resources have been ordered.  He or she must also ensure that a designated individual is left in charge while he or she is briefing the incoming Incident Commander.

 

INCIDENT COMMANDER CHECKLIST

Instructions:  The checklist below presents the minimum requirements for all Incident Commanders.  Note that some activities are one-time actions, while others are ongoing or repetitive for the duration of an incident. 

COMPLETED/NOT APPLICABLE

TASKS

         

Obtain an incident briefing and Incident Briefing Form (ICS Form 201) from the prior Incident Commander.

        

Assess the incident situation.

        

Determine incident goals and strategic objectives.

        

Establish the immediate priorities.

        

Establish an Incident Command Post.

        

Conduct the initial briefing.

        

Activate elements of the Incident Command System, as required.

        

Brief the command staff and section chiefs.

        

Ensure that planning meetings are conducted.

        

Approve and authorize the implementation of the incident action plan.

        

Ensure that adequate safety measures are in place.

        

Determine information needs and inform command personnel.

        

Coordinate staff activity.

        

Coordinate with key people and officials.

        

Manage incident operations.

        

Approve requests for additional resources and requests for release of resources.

        

Approve the use of trainees at the incident.

        

Authorize release of information to the news media.

        

Ensure that the Incident Status Summary (ICS Form 209 or local form) is completed and forwarded to the dispatch center(s).

        

Approve a plan for demobilization.

        

Release resources and supplies.

INCIDENT COMMANDER Briefings -

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

 The major responsibilities of the Incident Commander are listed below.  Following each are tasks for implementing the responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Conduct Initial Briefing

       Obtain and review the Incident Briefing Form (ICS Form 201 or local form) with the Incident Commander.

       Meet with the prior Incident Commander (as appropriate) and selected staff available at that time.

       Review and/or prepare plans for the use of on-scene and allocated resources scheduled to arrive before the next planning meeting.


 

Set Up Required Organization Elements

       Confirm the dispatch and/or arrival of requested organizational elements.

       Hold a briefing and assign work tasks to general and command staffs.  This briefing should include:

¨       The contents of the Incident Briefing Form.

¨       A summary of the incident organization.

¨       A review of current incident activities.

¨       A summary of resources already dispatched.

¨       The time and location of the first planning meeting.

¨       Special instructions, including specific delegation of authority to carry out particular functions.

       Reassign the prior Incident Commander to a position within the incident organization (as appropriate).

       Request required additional resources through normal dispatch channels.

       Notify the Resources Unit of the command and general staff organizational elements activated, including the name of the person assigned to each position.


INCIDENT COMMANDER - Planning

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS 

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Ensure Planning Meetings are Conducted

 

 

 

       Schedule a meeting time and location.

       Notify the attendees, including:

¨       Prior Incident Commander (required at first general planning meeting).

¨       Command and general staffs.

¨       Others as desired (e.g., communications, resources, and Situation Unit and Operations Branch Directors).

       Develop the general objectives for the incident action plan.

       Participate in the development of the incident action plan for the next operational period.

       Participate in the preparation of logistics services and support requirements associated with the incident action plan (e.g., the communications plan).

       Review safety considerations with the Safety Officer.

       Summarize the decisions made about the:

¨       General strategy selected.

¨       Control objectives selected for the next operational period.

¨       Resources required.

¨       Service and support requirements.

Approve and Authorize Implementation of the Incident action plan

Note:  In some instances, there tasks may be done orally.

       Review the incident action plan for completeness and accuracy.

       Make any required changes and authorize the release of the plan.

Determine Information Needs from Staff

       Identify any special information desired from each section chief.

       Prepare information item lists for each section and command staff element (as appropriate).

       Provide lists to appropriate personnel or facility.  (Note:  This may be done orally in some situations.)


 

INCIDENT COMMANDER - Operations

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

 

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Manage Incident Operations

       Review information concerning significant changes in the status of the situation, predicted incident behavior, weather, or status of resources.

       Review modification to the current incident action plan received from the Operations Section Chief.

       Identify any major changes to incident operations which are required immediately.

Approve Requests for Additional Resources

       Review requests for additional resources.

       Determine the condition and advisability of activating out-of-service resources.

       Have the Planning Section Chief provide a list of resources for reassignment if out-of-service resources are to be activated.  Include the time needed, reporting location, and to whom to report.

       To obtain additional resources from off the incident, direct the Logistics Section Chief to forward the request through normal channels.

Authorize Information Release

 

 

 

       Review materials submitted by the Information Officer for release to the news media.

       Check information release policies and constraints with involved jurisdiction officials.

       Authorize the release of the final copy.

Report Incident Status

       Have the Incident Status Summary Report (ICS Form 209 or local form) prepared.

       Ensure that the incident status summary is submitted to local agency dispatch centers, as required.

Approve Demobilization Planning

       Review recommendations for the release of resources and supplies from the Demobilization Unit.

       Schedule a demobilization planning meeting.

       Ensure that current and future resource and supply requirements have been closely estimated.

       Establish general service and support requirements.

       Modify specific work assignments for general and command staff, as required.

       Summarize the actions to be taken.

       Have the Planning Section Chief document the demobilization plan.

INCIDENT COMMANDER - Staffing

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS 

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Coordinate Staff Activity

       Periodically check the progress on assigned tasks of Logistics, Planning, Operations, and Finance/Administration Sections, as well as command staff personnel.

       Ensure that the general welfare and safety of personnel is adequate.

       Notify the Resources Unit of changes to the command or general staff organization, including the name of the person assigned to each position.

Release Resources and Supplies

       Review recommendations for any release of resources and supplies from the general staff.

       Approve release recommendations.

       Ensure that local agency dispatch centers are notified of the intended release.

       Direct the Planning Section Chief to prepare an assignment list for the release of resources.

       Direct the Logistics Section Chief to release supplies.

 

 

SAFETY OFFICER CHECKLIST

 RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Safety Officer, a member of the command staff, is responsible for monitoring and assessing hazardous and unsafe situations and developing measures for assuring personnel safety.  The Safety Officer will correct unsafe acts or conditions through the regular line of authority, although he or she may exercise emergency authority to stop or prevent unsafe acts when immediate action is required.  The Safety Officer maintains an awareness of active and developing situations, approves the medical plan, and includes safety messages in each incident action plan.  The Safety Officer reports to the Incident Commander.

 Instructions:  The checklist below presents the minimum requirements for Safety Officers.  Note that some items are one-time actions, while others are ongoing or repetitive throughout the incident.

COMPLETED/NOT APPLICABLE

TASKS

        

Obtain an incoming briefing from the Incident Commander.

        

Identify hazardous situations associated with the incident.

        

Participate in planning meetings.

        

Review the incident action plan.

        

Identify potentially unsafe situations.

        

Exercise emergency authority to stop and prevent unsafe acts.

        

Investigate accidents that have occurred within the incident area.

        

Assign assistants as needed.

        

Review and approve the medical plan (ICS Form 206 or local form).

        

Maintain the unit log (ICS Form 214 or local form).

 

SAFETY OFFICER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

The major responsibilities of the Safety Officer are listed below. Following each are tasks for implementing the responsibility. 

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Obtain a Briefing from the Incident Commander

       Receive a briefing from the Incident Commander to obtain:

¨      Relieved Incident Commander’s Incident Briefing (ICS Form 201 or local form).

¨      Summary of the incident organization.

¨      Special instructions.

       Obtain a copy of the incident action plan from the Incident Commander.

Identify Hazardous Situations Associated with the Incident Environment Prior to First Planning Meeting

       Identify and resolve unsafe situations in the incident area (e.g., unsafe sleeping areas, absence of protective clothing etc.).

       Compile and record hazardous and potentially hazardous situations for presentation at the planning meeting.

Attend the Planning Meeting to Advise on Safety Matters

       Review the suggested strategy and control operations as presented at the planning meeting.

       Identify potentially hazardous situations associated with the proposed plans and/or strategies.

       Advise the general staff of such situations.

Identify Potentially Unsafe Situations

       Review the incident action plan.

       Receive reports from incident personnel concerning safety matters.

       Review reports to identify hazardous environmental and operational situations.

       Personally survey the incident environment and operations, as appropriate.

       Obtain and review Situation Unit information to identify unsafe situations.


SAFETY OFFICER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Advise Incident Personnel in Matters Affecting Personnel Safety

       Identify potentially hazardous situations.  (See previous tasks.)

       Determine the appropriate actions to ensure personnel safety.

       Coordinate with incident supervisory personnel, as required.

       Advise incident personnel as to the appropriate action.

Exercise Emergency Authority to Prevent or Stop Unsafe Acts

       Identify potentially hazardous situations. (See previous tasks.)

       Determine the severity of the situation.

       Determine if the situation requires the use of emergency authority, and, if so, exercise that authority to prevent or stop the act.

       Coordinate with the appropriate supervisory personnel.

Investigate (or Coordinate Investigation of) Accidents that Occur within the Incident Area

       Receive notification of the accident.

       Obtain information concerning the accident by:

¨       Interviewing personnel.

¨       Visiting the scene of the accident.

¨       Photographing the scene (if appropriate).

¨       Collecting evidence (if appropriate).

¨       Collecting reports prepared by involved personnel.

 

       Reconstruct the accident events.

       Identify the cause of the accident (if possible).

       Recommend corrective action.

       Prepare the accident report and submit it to the Incident Commander.


SAFETY OFFICER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS 

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Review the Medical Plan

       Coordinate with the Medical Unit Leader on the preparation of the medical plan (ICS Form 206 or local form).

       Review the plan for completeness.

       Discuss areas of concern with the Medical Unit Leader and provide instructions for correction.

Maintain the Unit Log

       Record the Safety Officer’s actions on the unit log (ICS Form 214 or local form).

       Collect and transmit required records and logs to the Documentation Unit at the end of each operational period.

 

 
 

INFORMATION OFFICER CHECKLIST

RESPONSIBILITIES

 The Information Officer, a member of the command staff, is responsible for the collection and release of information about the incident to the news media and other appropriate agencies and organizations.  The Information Officer reports to the Incident Commander.

Instructions:  The checklist below presents the minimum requirements for Information Officers.  Note that some items are one-time actions, while others are ongoing or repetitive throughout the incident. 

COMPLETED/NOT APPLICABLE

TASKS

        

Contact the jurisdictional agency to coordinate public information activities.

        

Establish a Joint Information Center (JIC), whenever possible.

        

Determine from the Incident Commander if there are any limits on information release.

        

Arrange for necessary work space, materials, telephones, and staffing.

        

Obtain copies of the Incident Commander’s Situation Status Summary Report  (ICS Form 209 or local form).

        

Prepare an initial information summary as soon as possible after arrival.

        

Observe constraints on the release of information imposed by the Incident Commander.

        

Obtain approval for information release from the Incident Commander.

        

Release news to the media and post information at the Incident Command Post and other appropriate location(s).

        

Attend meetings between the media and incident personnel.

        

Arrange for meetings between the media and incident personnel.

        

Provide escort service to the media and VIPs.

        

Provide protective clothing for the media and VIPs (as appropriate).

        

Respond to special requests for information.

        

Maintain the unit log (ICS Form 214 or local form).

INFORMATION OFFICER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

The major responsibilities of the Information Officer are listed below.  Following each are tasks for implementing the responsibility. 

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Identify Information Officer Activities

       Contact the jurisdiction’s responsible agency to determine what other external public information activities are being performed for this incident.

       Establish the coordination of information acquisition and dissemination.

       Compile the information, and maintain records.

Establish an Information Center as Required

       Establish an information center adjacent to the Incident Command Post area where it will not interfere with Incident Command Post activities.

       Contact the Facilities Unit for any support required to set up the information center.

Prepare a Press Briefing

       Obtain from the Incident Commander any constraints on the release of information.

       Select the information to be released (e.g., the size of the incident, the agencies involved, etc.).

       Prepare the material for release (obtained from the Incident Briefing [ICS Form 201 or local form], Situation Unit status reports, etc.).

       Obtain the Incident Commander’s approval for release.  (Note:  The Incident Commander may give blanket release authority.)

       Release the information for distribution to the news media.

       Release the information to press representatives at the joint information center (JIC).

       Post a copy of all information summaries in the Incident Command Post area and at other appropriate incident locations (e.g., base, camps, etc.).


INFORMATION OFFICER MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

RESPONSIBILITY

TASKS

Collect and Assemble Incident Information

       Obtain the latest situation status and fire behavior prediction information from the appropriate Situation Unit Leader.

       Observe incident operations.

       Hold discussions with incident personnel.

       Identify special event information (e.g., evacuations, injuries, etc.).

       Contact external agencies for additional information.

       Review the current incident action plan (ICS Form 202 or local form).

       Repeat the above procedures as necessary to satisfy media needs.

Provide Liaison between Media and Incident Personnel

       Receive requests from the media to meet with incident personnel and vice versa.

       Identify the parties involved in the request (e.g., the Incident Commander for TV interviewers, etc.).

       Determine if policies have been established to handle requests, and, if so, proceed accordingly.

       Obtain any required permission to satisfy a request (i.e., the Incident Commander’s).

       Fulfill the request or advise the requesting party of the inability to do so, as the case may be.

       Coordinate as necessary with the Incident Commander for news media flights into the incident area.

Respond to Special Requests for Information

       Receive request for information.

       Determine if the requested information is currently available, and, if so, provide it to the requesting party.

       Determine if currently unavailable information can be reasonably obtained by contacting incident personnel.

       Assemble the desired and/or available information, and provide it to the requesting party.

Maintain the Unit Log

       Record the Information Officer’s actions on the unit log (ICS Form 214 or local form).

       Collect and transmit information summaries and unit logs to the Documentation Unit at the end of each operational period.

 
 
 
 
 

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This web site is published by Rich Woldt. For more information and the latest and greatest Risk Management support email Rich at: Rich@RMLearningCenter.com or call 608-712-7880.