An Introduction to

1. An Introduction to INCIDENT COMMAND

2. Presentation • Incident Management System (IMS) and the Incident commander • Risk management • Fire confinement and extinguishment • Size up • Accountability and PAR’s • PIAR’s – post incident analysis reviews

3. Why do we have an IMS? • One person in command • IC’s 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

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

5. The 4 Tactical Priorities • Rescue • Stabilize the scene i.e. extinguishment etc. • Property Conservation • Firefighter Safety – ongoing throughout the incident

6. 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

7. 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 doesn’t 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)

8. Levels of Command Whatever the incident, there are always 3 levels of command… • Strategic – the big plan • Tactical – operations • Task – performance

9. Strategic Approaches At the Strategic level, there are 3 terms that are indicative of the IC’s 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 department’s 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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???

13. Sectoring What does the term “sectoring” mean to you? Why would we use sectoring and what are the types? Types: Geographical Function

14. 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?

15. GEOGRAPHIC SECTORING C (3) HOUSE GARAGE D (4) B (2) A (1) STREET

16. 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

17. 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 FF’s In fact, there are differences…but, some important similarities as well.

18. LEVELS OF COMMAND EXAMPLE #1 P1 CO P1 CO EXAMPLE #2 CO CO P2 R1 EXAMPLE #3 IC CHIEF DISTRICT CHIEF DISTRICT CHIEF VENTILATION SECTOR FIRE CONTROL SECTOR R1 P2 P3 A1 CO’S CO’S

19. 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?

20. 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”

21. Command Modes There are 3 possible Command Modes upon arrival: • Nothing Showing Mode • Fast Attack Mode • Command Mode

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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!

25. Now let’s take a look at Risk Management

26. 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? • First arriving Officer • All firefighters and Officers • Ultimately, the IC

27. 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 can’t be saved

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

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

30. 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

31. Fire Confinement and Extinguishment

32. 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?

33. FIRE CONFINEMENT AND EXTINGUISHMENT “BENCHMARKS” WHERE? WHAT? HOW?

34. 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”

35. Size Up and Exposure Protection

36. 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?

37. 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

38. Size-Up: An On-going Process (cont’d) 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

39. Size-Up: An On-going Process (cont’d) 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?

40. 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?

41. EXPOSURES – TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS WHERE? WHAT? HOW?

42. Accountability and Personnel Accountability Reports (PAR’s)

43. Accountability & Entry Control Its primary purpose is FIREFIGHTER SAFETY! The IC is ultimately responsible for safety. Some departments have ISO’s and safety MUST be part of OG’s. All FF’s and Officers must comply with safety guidelines.

44. 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 FF’s 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 FF’s

45. 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…

46. PAR: Benchmarks 1. When “Benchmarks” have been achieved • “All Clear” and “Under Control” • Easy reminder for IC • Good delineation of the event

47. 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.

48. 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

49. PAR: Significant Changes 4. When there is a significant change • Building collapse • Flashover • Backdraft • Rapid smoke build-up • Any other important event

50. PAR: Evacuation 5. After an ordered evacuation