SOG #102 - Incident Command

PURPOSE

Pecatonica Fire Protection District responds to a wide range of emergency incidents.  This procedure identifies standard operating procedures that can be employed in establishing command.  The system provides for the effective management of personnel and resources providing for safety and welfare of personnel.  Establishes procedures for the implementation of all components of the Incident Management System for structural/fire operation.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMAND

The Incident Commander is responsible for the completion of the tactical priorities.  The Tactical Priorities are:

• Remove endangered occupants and treat the injured.

• Stabilize the incident and provide for life safety.

• Conserve property.

• Provide for the safety, accountability, and welfare of personnel.  This priority is ongoing throughout the incident.

FUNCTIONS OF COMMAND

The Functions of Command Include:

• Assume and announce Command and establish an effective operating position (Command Post).

• Rapidly evaluate the situation (size up).

• Initiate, maintain, and control the communications process.

• Identify the overall strategy, develop an incident action plan, and assign personnel as needed.

• Review, evaluate, and revise (as needed) the incident action plan.

• Provide for the continuity, transfer, and termination of Command.

The Incident Commander is responsible for all of these functions.  As command is transferred, so is the responsibility for these functions. 

ESTABLISHING COMMAND

The first fire department unit to arrive at the scene shall assume command of the incident.  The initial Incident Commander shall remain in command until command is transferred or the incident is stabilized and terminated.

1.      The first unit or member on the scene must initiate whatever parts of the Incident Management System are needed to effectively manage the incident scene. 

2.      A single unit incident (trash fire, single patient EMS incident, etc.) only requires that unit to acknowledge their arrival on the scene.

3.      For incidents that require the commitment of multiple units, the first unit on the scene must announce “Command” and develop an Incident Command Structure appropriate for the incident. If department officer is not responding, the firefighter who takes charge will be designated as 1399.

The first arriving fire department unit activates the command process by giving an initial radio report.

The Radio Report should include:

1.      Unit designation of the unit arriving on the scene. We will use language and not 10 codes. (Example 1305 is in route, 1305 has arrived on scene, 1305 is returning, and 1305 is back in quarters.

2.      A brief description of the incident situation, (i.e., building size, occupancy, multiple vehicle accident, etc.)

3.      Obvious conditions (working fire, multiple patients, etc.). If there is a structure fire we need let dispatch know that everyone is out of the structure – we do that by announcing on radio that “life is clear”, if MVA we will announce by radio that extrication is completed all victims are being attended to by EMS.

4.      Brief description of action taken.

5.      Assumption, identification, and location of command.

6.      Request or release resources as required.

TRANSFER OF COMMAND

Command is transferred to improve the quality of the command organization.  The following guidelines outline the transfer of command. 

1.      The first fire department unit on the scene will automatically assume command.  This will normally be an Officer, but could be any fire department member up to and including the District Chief.

2.      The first Officer arriving on the scene 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.      The first arriving Chief Officer should assume command of the incident following transfer of command procedures.

4.      The second arriving Chief Officer should report to the Command Post for assignment.

5.      Later arriving, higher-ranking Chief Officers may choose to assume Command, or assume advisor positions.

6.      Assumption of command is discretionary.

Within the chain of command, the actual transfer of command will be regulated by the following procedure:

The Officer assuming command will communicate with the person being relieved by radio or face-to-face.  Face-to-face is the preferred method to transfer Command.

The person being relieved will brief the officer assuming command indicating at least the following:

1.      Incident conditions (fire location and extent, number of patients, etc.).

2.      Progress towards completion of the tactical objectives.

3.      Deployment and assignment of operating units and personnel.

4.      Appraisals of need for additional resources.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

The response and arrival of additional ranking officers on the incident scene strengthens the overall command function.  As the incident escalates, the incident Commander should use these Officers as needed.

The arrival of a ranking officer on the incident scene does not mean that command has been transferred to that officer.  Command is only transferred when the transfer-of-command process has been completed.

Officers should report directly to a designated location for assignment by the Incident Commander.