Size Up & Incident Command

1. Size Up & Incident Command A Guide for Initial Command Actions

2. Initial Command Actions Will Often Determine the Future Course of the Incident

3. 5 Step Method • Arrival • Report on Conditions • Declare Assuming Incident Command • Action Plan Statement • Resources Needed

4. 1. ARRIVAL • A Brief Statement That You Are At Scene “Camino, ____(your I.D.), At Scene” • Confirm Address or Location of Incident “2345 ______ Road”

5. 2. Report On Conditions • A Brief Description of the Incident • (What do you see?… paint a picture for Dispatch & for those listening) • Describe Occupancy Use, Building Type, or Construction • Key Phrases Are Useful • Some Typical Key Phrases for Structure Fires: • “Nothing Showing” • “Smoke Showing” or “Fire & Smoke Showing” • “Fully Involved” or % or “Room & Contents” • “Building Evacuated”

6. Report on ConditionsContinued • Key Phrases for Wildland Incidents: • Size: “____Acres” • Rate of Spread: “Slow, Moderate, Rapid” • Fuel Type: “Grass, Brush,Timber” • Direction of Spread: “Topographical or N,S,E,W” • Note: Indicate if Threat to Structures

7. Declare Assumption of Incident Command • ECC Assigns Incident Name and Tactical Frequency / Channel • Declare Assuming Command • Confirm the Incident Name, On the Air: • “I Will Be _____ (Name) I.C. on Tac 9 • Identify Location of ICP • “ICP is Located at _______”

8. When in Charge Take Charge

9. Assuming Command vs. Passing Command • Tactical Priority Requires You Take Action Rather Than Assume Command • Life Rescue • Time Factors in Operations • Limitations on Passing Command • See District S.O.P. 201, Section IV

10. 4. Action Plan • An Initial Statement of Objectives • Command Texts Often Refer to “Modes” • Key Action Phrases: • “Inside to Investigate” • “Interior Attack Line with Rescue” • “Offensive” • “Defensive”

11. Action Plancontinued • Assigning Other Units In Your Plan • “Engine __, Establish Water Supply” • “Take Ventilation” • “Take the Left Flank” • “Protect Exposures” • “Set Up Traffic Control” • Note: Think of RECEO

12. RECEO Establish Priorities • Rescue • Exposures • Confinement • Extinguishment • Overhaul • Salvage & Ventilation

13. 5. Resources Needed • Do you have Enough Resources? • If so, then transmit: “Can Handle with Units At Scene” Do you have Authority to Order: Additional Company’s ? Alarms? Remember: When in Charge, Take Charge

14. Staging Resources • If You Can’t Find the Incident, Consider Staging Your Incoming Units • “Have All Units Hold Present Location” • Useful Technique: Staging Area • Note: If You Must Create a Staging Area • Assign a Staging Area Manager (STAM)

15. Canceling Resources • If Not Needed, Canceling is a Valid Option • Better to Order Too Much Than Not Enough • Never Too Late to Cancel Resources • You Can Always Send Them Home • Asserting a Cancellation is a Function of Command

16. If you know a Medic Unit will Transport: “Camino, Medic 48 Committed”

17. All Risk Considerations • Mass Casualty Incidents • Declare an MCI • Haz Mat • Isolate, Identify, Deny Entry & Notify (S.I.N.) • Law Enforcement • Traffic Control, Road Closure, Early Warning • Structural Collapse • Need to Evacuate from Structure, RIC

18. Other “Nuggets” • F.A.T.S. • Fireground Accountability Tracking System • L.C.E.S. (Wildland and “All Risk”) • Interface Fires with Threat to Structures: • Immediate Threat to Life & Property

19. Use of Checklists & Guides • The 10 & the 18 • D.O.T Guide • F.O.G. • ICS 201 and Other Forms • Incident Response Pocket Guide • NFES #1077, January 2004 (See page 12) • Lots of Reference Resources for you!

20. Volunteer & Off Duty Response in P.O.V. • Professionalism • Cell Phone with ECC’s Phone Number • Radio • How to I.D. Self and Pass Information • What Is Appropriate vs. What Isn’t

21. SUMMARY • It All Starts With Attitude • Preparation • Commitment • Your Sense of Professional Courtesy • Seek Information • The Next Incident will be “Come as you are” • Practice (and opportunity to practice • Are you ready?