An Introduction to

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An Introduction to

• INCIDENT COMMAND

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Presentation

• Incident Management System (IMS) and the Incident
  commander
• Risk management
• Fire confinement and extinguishment
• Size up
• Accountability and PARs
• PIARs post incident analysis reviews

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Why do we have an IMS?

• One person in command
• ICs may change, but always, only ONE person in
• charge
• Ensures that a strong command is visible
• Establishes an effective organization
• Provides a system for processing information
• IC, even at a simple house fire, can be
  overloaded
• with information
• Allows for an orderly Transfer of Command
• Ensures the maximum level of firefighter safety
• accountability

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Primary Responsibilities
What is the primary responsibility of the IC?
1. To ensure that the Tactical Priorities are
met.
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The 4 Tactical Priorities

1. Rescue
2. Stabilize the scene i.e. extinguishment etc.
3. Property Conservation
4. Firefighter Safety ongoing throughout the
   incident

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Functions of Command
What does the IC have to do on arrival while on
scene?

• Assume command and announce it!!!
• Do a quick size-up
• Set up a Command Post and announce it!!!
• Initiate and control communications
• Determine strategy and develop the Action Plan
• assign companies
• Develop an effective Incident Management
  organization
• Provide the Tactical Priorities
• Provide continuity in Transfer and Termination of
  Command

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Reporting Benchmarks
It is critical to understand the use and
importance of Benchmarks in the Incident
Management System. We may accomplish the
tactical priorities out of order but that doesnt
change the way we rank their importance. As a
result, the following benchmarks are always
reported in the following order

• Primary Search All Clear
• Under Control (meaning, fire)
• Secondary Search All Clear
• Loss Stopped (meaning, no more damage)

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Levels of Command
Whatever the incident, there are always 3 levels
of command

1. Strategic the big plan
2. Tactical operations
3. Task performance

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Strategic Approaches
At the Strategic level, there are 3 terms that
are indicative of the ICs overall approach to
the incident. They are
Offensive Aggressive, usually interior, fire
attack that is intended to stop the fire at its
current location
Defensive Exterior fire attack with emphasis
on exposure protection. The commitment of a fire
departments resources to protect exposures when
the fire has progressed to a point where an
offensive attack is not effective.
Marginal Many times offensive/defensive
conditions are clear cut and Command can quickly
determine the appropriate strategy. In other
cases, the situation is MARGINAL and Command must
initiate an offensive interior attack, while
setting up defensive positions on the exterior.
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Strategic Responsibilities
2 Story Detached Dwelling
Pump 3
Garage
Pump 1
Rescue 1
Chief
Pump 2
D/Chief
Strategic Level Incident Commander. Develop
Action Plan determine strategy overall
incident objectives set priorities obtain
assign resources predict outcomes and planning
assign specific objectives to the Tactical Level
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Tactical Responsibilities
2 Story Detached Dwelling
Pump 3
Garage
Pump 1
Rescue 1
Chief
Pump 2
D/Chief
Tactical Level Captain. Direct activities
toward specific objectives responsible for
geographic areas or functions has
responsibility authority to meet strategic goals
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Task Responsibilities
2 Story Detached Dwelling
Pump 3
Garage
Pump 1
Rescue 1
Chief
Pump 2
D/Chief
Task Level firefighters. Individual companies
where the rubber meets the road usually
commanded by a company Officer goal is to
accomplish tactical objectives
Any Questions to this Point???
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Sectoring
What does the term sectoring mean to you? Why
would we use sectoring and what are the types?
Types
Geographical Function
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Geographical Sectoring
Often used in conjunction with locations around a
structure. Can be termed either Alfa Bravo
Charlie Delta or South West North
East
Your thoughts on which method is best?
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GEOGRAPHIC SECTORING
C (3)
HOUSE
GARAGE
D (4)
B (2)
A (1)
STREET
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Function Sectoring
Identities are assigned based on the task. Can
be termed as follows Search Rescue Team
1 Suppression Team 1 Ventilation 1 Water
Supply
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Command Organization
How does all of this look organizationally?
Should there not be differences between small,
medium and large scale incidents? Span of
Control criterion once over 3-5 FFs In fact,
there are differencesbut, some important
similarities as well.
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LEVELS OF COMMAND
P1
EXAMPLE 1
CO
P1
CO
EXAMPLE 2
CO
P2
R1
CO
EXAMPLE 3
IC
CHIEF
DISTRICT CHIEF
DISTRICT CHIEF
VENTILATION SECTOR
FIRE CONTROL SECTOR
R1
P2
P3
A1
COS
COS
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Establishing Command
Usually the first arriving Officer stays in
Command until a transfer or the scene is
stabilized. Question The first on-scene Officer
has been in control of an incident since the
start. He/she is doing a good job. A more
senior Officer arrives at the scene but chooses
not to assume Command because the first Officer
is doing well. Who is responsible for the fire?
What are your thoughts?
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Initial Radio Reports

• Vehicle designation P-1 Arrived
• Address 20 Spruce St.
• Building type 2-story residential brick
  structure
• Obvious conditions smoke showing at front
• Initial actions taken have established water
  supply and beginning primary search
• Declaration of Strategy commencing Offensive
  Attack
• Obvious safety concerns heavy traffic, need
  police
• Assume command give location Capt. Sparky
  establishing Command, Alfa-Delta side
• Request or release resources Control, Spruce
  Command. Dispatch EMS to this location

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Command Modes
There are 3 possible Command Modes upon arrival

• Nothing Showing Mode
• Fast Attack Mode
• Command Mode

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Nothing Showing Mode
also known as Investigative Mode What are
some features of this mode?

• Take crew, portable radio and check out the
  situation
• Stage additional arriving apparatus

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Fast Attack Mode
What you do in the first 5 minutes often
determines what you will be doing for the next 5
hours. - Brunacini What are some features of
this mode?

• Situations where immediate action is required
• Retain radio and maintain Command
• Should not last longer than a few minutes you
  cannot maintain Command from inside a structure

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Command Mode
What kind of incidents would require
establishing Command Mode immediately?

• Situations that are obviously large from the
  outset
• IC establishes a Command Post immediately
• A Tactical Worksheet is activated at this point!

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Now lets take a look at Risk Management
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About Risk
There will always be risk in the job we do.
However, needless risk is unacceptable as it both
injures and kills firefighters.
Who is responsible for assessing risk at an
emergency scene?

1. First arriving Officer
2. All firefighters and Officers
3. Ultimately, the IC

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Acceptable Risk
Who determines the level of acceptable risk?

• The IC has to determine the level of acceptable
  risk based on an on-going size-up
• He must ensure that acceptable levels are NOT
  exceeded

What is an acceptable level of risk?

• Significant calculated risk to save a life
• Some risk to save property
• NO RISK to save something that cant be saved

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The IC and Risk Management Questions to Ask

1. Does the size, location and size of the fire
   warrant an offensive fire attack?
2. Do I have enough resources to carry out an
   offensive plan of attack? (human, physical
   i.e. equipment/apparatus)
3. Is there rescue to perform? (rescue risks higher
   acceptability than suppression risks)
4. Should attack be delayed pending additional
   manpower? (If the answer is yes then all
   activities must be limited to the exterior)

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IC Responsibilities

• Conduct a thorough size-up. (What are some ways
  to do this?)
• Determine strategic and tactical objectives.
  (Whats the difference between strategy and
  tactics?
• Determine initial attack. (Offensive or
  defensive)
• Develop an Action Plan.

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The Action Plan

• Driven by Risk Management
• IC must weigh the danger or risks against the
  expected results
• Contains Strategic and Tactical Objectives
• Must be flexible and changeable based on changing
  conditions
• Must have identifiable benchmarks or objectives

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Fire Confinement and Extinguishment
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Fire Confinement Extinguishment
The goal of the fire ground IC is ultimately to
put the fire out. This is not always possible in
the short term. Hose lines could be used in a
holding pattern. There IS a difference between
Confinement and Extinguishment. Question What
IS this difference?
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FIRE CONFINEMENT AND EXTINGUISHMENT

1. CONFINE OR EXTINGUISH?
2. SIZE-UP CONSIDERATIONS WHERE IS IT GOING? WHO OR WHAT IS IN THE WAY? TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION REQUIRED FLOW?
UNDER CONTROL LOSS STOPPED
BENCHMARKS
WHERE?
WHAT?
HOW?
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Hose Placement

• Depends on function confinement or
  extinguishment
• Initial line between fire and victims
• Frontal assault only when no other option is
  possible
• Use with second line to push fire back to place
  of origin

Benchmarks Under Control Loss Stopped
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Size Up and Exposure Protection
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Size-Up Exposure Protection
Initial size-ups must be viewed as just that
initial. It must be an on-going process.
Among the important decisions to be made relates
to protection from exposures. More troops may be
needed! Question When does size-up begin?
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Size-Up An On-going Process
Begins on Receipt of Alarm

• Time of day or night
• Weather wind conditions, humidity etc.
• Type of occupancy
• Nature of the emergency i.e. working fire?
• Other apparatus responding
• Reports from citizens

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Size-Up An On-going Process (contd)
En Route

• Pre-plan factors
• Size type of building
• Building construction including roof
• Water supply
• Company assignments
• Fire protection system connections
• Access points
• Normal building population
• Fire protection equipment i.e. standpipe etc.
• Fire flow required

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Size-Up An On-going Process (contd)
On Arrival

• Fire Ground Situational Factors
• Location, stage and extent of fire
• Colour of smoke
• Obstructions to operations
• Apparatus on scene
• People trapped?
• Question What other factors could there be?

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SIZE-UP (RULE OF EIGHT)
1. SIZE-UP 2. CALL FOR HELP
3. LIFE SAFETY - RESCUE 4. CONFINEMENT -
EXPOSURES 5. EXTINGUISHMENT 6.
VENTILATION 7. SALVAGE 8. OVERHAUL
WHERE?
WHAT?
HOW?
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EXPOSURES TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. IS SUPPORT NEEDED?
2. OUTSIDE COLLAPSE ZONE?
3. FIRE FLOW AVAILABE?
4. HOSE AND APPLIANCES REQUIRED?
5. WHAT COORDINATION WITH OTHER TACTICS IS NEEDED?
6. SAFETY CONCERNS?
WHERE?
WHAT?
HOW?
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Accountability and Personnel Accountability
Reports (PARs)
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Accountability Entry Control
Its primary purpose is FIREFIGHTER SAFETY! The
IC is ultimately responsible for safety. Some
departments have ISOs and safety MUST be part of
OGs. All FFs and Officers must comply with
safety guidelines.
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How the Accountability System Works

• Accountability Officer
• Keeps track of who is at the scene
• Collect first Tag
• Will sometimes be Entry Control Officer as well
• Entry Control Officer
• Records when FFs enter the danger zone
• Generally uses a pre-fabricated Entry Control
  Board
• Reports to the IC and gives updates or notifies
  the IC of any unaccounted for FFs

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Personnel Accountability Reports
The purpose is to assist the IC in a person
Inventory Control.
There are 8 appropriate times to call for a PAR
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PAR Benchmarks
1. When Benchmarks have been achieved

• All Clear and Under Control
• Easy reminder for IC
• Good delineation of the event

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PAR Time
2. After twenty and forty minutes

• 30 and 60 minute bottles
• Some time to begin rescue if a firefighter is
  missing

Note Some departments require the initial
attack crew entering a building to radio to the
IC or their Dispatch that they are ON AIR when
they turn their cylinders on. This is to provide
the IC and the Dispatch the reminder that the
clock is now ticking in the countdown to a PAR.
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PAR Change of Command
3. When command is Passed or Transferred

• This allows the new IC to be confident that all
  crews are accounted for

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PAR Significant Changes
4. When there is a significant change

• Building collapse
• Flashover
• Backdraft
• Rapid smoke build-up
• Any other important event

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PAR Evacuation
5. After an ordered evacuation
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PAR Missing Personnel
6. Anytime Personnel go Missing

• Activated PASS alarm
• From radio report
• From other source
• Prior to activating RIT

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PAR Rescue of Firefighter
7. After the rescue of a firefighter who was
previously missing

• This is a good time to take stock

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PAR Offensive to Defensive
8. After a major change of strategy

• Its crucial to know everyone is out of the
  building prior to initiating significant
  defensive tactics that affect the internal
  environment

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PIARs Post Incident Analysis Reviews We need
to learn from each experience
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Post Incident Analysis Review
The purpose is to improve performance and safety!
Lets take a closer look at what P.I.A.R. is all
about
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PIAR Why?
Why do you do Post Incident Analysis?

• To give credit where credit is due
• To point out concerns to the team
• To analyze tactics good and bad
• Its a good place for soft intervention
• To obtain feedback from all those involved
• Above all TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE!

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PIAR Who Conducts/Facilitates PIAR?
Who conducts a Post Incident Analysis?

• Chief
• IC
• Safety Officer
• Outside Facilitator

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PIAR When?
When do you do a Post Incident Analysis?

• As soon as possible after the incident
• Time clouds the memory
• This is a good reason for all personnel to take
  notes

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PIAR Who is Involved?
Everyone involved in the incident, if possible

• This may include
• IC
• Firefighters
• Police
• EMS
• Dispatch
• etc

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PIAR How long should it take?
As long as practicable to ensure performance is
improved. (The first few PIARs a department does
may take a little longer than subsequent PIARs.)

• People may be reluctant at first
• Remind participants that questions should be
  posed in a non-accusational manner
• It may depend on the culture of the department

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PIAR Most Important Point
The purpose of a PIAR is to IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
and NOTHING ELSE!
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We have Covered

• Incident Management System (IMS) and the Incident
  Commander
• Risk Management
• Fire Confinement
• Size Up
• Accountability
• PIAR

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Questions