Aim
The aim of the session is to provide students with an understanding of incident command principles and structures.
Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session students will be able to:
• Relate the actions to the terminology used in incident command
• Describe the purpose, principles and application of the incident command system
• Acknowledge, action and update agreed objectives.
Incident Commander
• Ensure adequate resources • Assume responsibility for control of
resources• Ensure good communications• Adopt a strategy• Implement tactics• Monitor operations.
Identifiable by the Incident Commander surcoat he/she will;
Strategy
• To save life and property
• Ensure safety of operational personnel
• To protect the environment.
Defined as the planning and directing of the organisation to meet its objectives;
Tactics
The deployment of personnel and
equipment on the incident ground to
achieve the Incident Commander’s
strategic aims.
Operations
Tasks that are carried out on the
incident ground, using prescribed
techniques and procedures in
accordance with the tactical plan.
Resources and control
• Appliances
• Personnel
• Equipment
• Firefighting media
• Consumables (fuel, BA cylinders).
Incident Commander responsible for;
Specialist officers• Firefighting
• Command support
• Marshalling
• Logistics
• Decontamination
• Water
• Foam
• BA
• Sector command.
Specialist officers• Ship stability• Transport • Press • Fire investigation • Salvage • O-I-C Command Unit
• Command Unit support
• Safety • Equipment.
Sectorisation
• Decided by incident commander
• To give greater command flexibility
• Improve safety monitoring.
Sector model - High rise fire
Ground floor
Sector
Sector 1
Sector 2
Sector 18Sector 19Sector 20
Roof sector.
Tactical modes
• Offensive Sectors or incident
• Defensive Sectors or incident
• Transitional Incident only.
Hazardous substance release
Defensive
mode
Defensive
mode
Main entrance
Incident - defensive mode.
Sector 3Sector 4
Hazardous substance release
Sector 1
Offensive mode
Sector 3
Defensivemode
Sector 4
Defensivemode
Incident - transitional mode.
Hazardous substance release
Mainentrance
Sector 4
Offensive mode
Sector 3
Offensive mode
Sector 1Offensive mode
Incident - offensive mode.
Cordons
• Inner - immediate scene of operations limit access thorough briefing
• Outer - area of support activities
prevent access by public controlled by police.
Factors leading to lack of controlPoor positioning of appliances
• Blocking entrance / access to open water
• Too near fire
• Too close to rear of next appliance (ladders)
• Movement blocked by hose lines
• Command point obscure
• All blue flashing lights left on.
Factors leading to lack of controlRadios and radio procedure
• Command point unattended
• Incorrect / too lengthy messages
• Inadequate knowledge of phonetic alphabet
• In poor radio reception zone
• Radio sets not required, being left on.
Factors leading to lack of controlGeneral
• Incident Commander unnecessarily involved with detailed actions
• Crew Commanders not going through the Incident Commander
• Crews leaving appliance when officer in charge reporting in attendance
• Poor communications between crews and commanders.
Command point
• Signified by blue flashing lights
• Operations point for Incident Commander
• Radio link to Brigade Control
• Contact point for oncoming appliances
• Use non-pumping appliance or staff car
• All other blue lights and radios to be turned off.
Command support
• Wear armband / surcoat at command point
• Operate command support board
• Accept tallies
• Keep notes of resources and messages
Command support
• Arrange support for Incident Commander
• Record sectors and assigned officers
• Record risk assessments and decisions taken as a result of.
Confirmation Assessments will be based on this lesson and the corresponding study note
Learning Outcomes• Relate the actions to the terminology used
in incident command
• Describe the purpose, principles and application of the incident command system
• Acknowledge, action and update agreed objectives.