Organisational Managementand Development 2

Incident Command

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.

Incident

command

structure.

Sectorisation

• Decided by incident commander

• To give greater command flexibility

• Improve safety monitoring.

Sector model - Structure fire

Sector 1

Sector 2

Sector 3

Sector 4.

Sector model - High rise fire

Ground floor

Sector

Sector 1

Sector 2

Sector 18Sector 19Sector 20

Roof sector.

Multiple Road Traffic Accident

Sector 1

Lorries

Sector 2

Coach

Sector 3

Embankment.

Tactical modes

• Offensive Sectors or incident

• Defensive Sectors or incident

• Transitional Incident only.

Sector 1 Defensive mode

Sector 3Defensive mode

Incident - defensive mode.

Compartment fire in larger building

Incident - defensive mode.

Sector 1Defensive

Sector 3Defensive

Hazardous substance release

Defensive

mode

Defensive

mode

Main entrance

Incident - defensive mode.

Sector 3Sector 4

Sector 3

Offensive mode

Sector 1 Defensive mode

Defensive modeIncident - transitional mode.

Hazardous substance release

Sector 1

Offensive mode

Sector 3

Defensivemode

Sector 4

Defensivemode

Incident - transitional mode.

Sector 1

Offensive mode

Sector 3 Offensive mode

Incident - offensive 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.

THE END