Chapter 5: Incident Command System - Chief Concepts

Front 1

An _____________ _____________ _____________ provides a standard, professional, and organized approach to managing emergency incidents. This standard approach provides common objectives and coordination of resources from multiple agencies.

Back 1

incident command system (ICS)

Front 2

Characteristic of ICS:
__________ ______________: An ICS imposes “order on chaos” on the fire ground and enables a safer and more efficient operation than would be possible if personnel and units worked independently of one another.

Back 2

Organized approach

Front 3

Characteristic of ICS:
_____________: The ICS uses a standard terminology for effective communications.

Back 3

Terminology

Front 4

Characteristic of ICS:
__________: The ICS can be used at any type of emergency incident.

Back 4

All-risk

Front 5

Characteristic of ICS:
____________ _______: The ICS enables different jurisdictions, agencies, and organizations to work cooperatively on a single incident.

Back 5

Jurisdictional authority

Front 6

Characteristic of ICS:
_________ ____ _________: The ICS maintains the desired span of control through flexible levels of organization.

Back 6

Span of control

Front 7

Characteristic of ICS:
___________ ___________: The ICS can, and should, be used at every single incident, every single time.

Back 7

Everyday applicability

Front 8

Characteristic of ICS:
___________: The ICS is based on standard modules that are activated as needed to manage an incident.

Back 8

Modular

Front 9

Characteristic of ICS:
___________ ______________: Everyone responding to the incident can communicate up and down the chain of command as needed.

Back 9

Integrated communications

Front 10

Characteristic of ICS:
____________ ___________ __________: Every incident has a plan that outlines the strategic objectives. Large incidents will have formal plans.

Back 10

Incident action plan

Front 11

Characteristic of ICS:
____________ ____________ ____________: Standardized facilities—such as an incident command post, staging area, and rehabilitation area—are established as needed.

Back 11

Designated incident facilities

Front 12

Characteristic of ICS:
_____________ ____________: A standard system is used for assigning and keeping track of incident resources.

Back 12

Resource management

Front 13

Five major functions are part of ICS:

Back 13

• Command
• Operations
• Planning
• Logistics
• Finance/Administration

Front 14

ICS Major Function:
______________: Responsible for the entire incident. This is the only function that is always staffed.

Back 14

Command

Front 15

ICS Major Function:
_____________: Responsible for most fire-ground functions, including suppression, search and rescue, and ventilation.

Back 15

Operations

Front 16

ICS Major Function:
_____________: Responsible for developing the incident action plan.

Back 16

Planning

Front 17

ICS Major Function:
___________: Responsible for obtaining the resources needed to support the incident.

Back 17

Logistics

Front 18

ICS Major Function:
______________________: Responsible for tracking expenditures and managing the administrative functions at the incident.

Back 18

Finance/Administration

Front 19

The command staff assists Command at the incident:

Back 19

Safety Officer / Liaison Officer / Public Information Officer

Front 20

The _________ __________ is responsible for the overall safety of the incident. He or she has the authority to stop any action or operation if it creates a safety hazard on the scene.

Back 20

safety officer

Front 21

The _________ __________ is responsible for coordinating operations between the fire department and other agencies that may be involved in the incident.

Back 21

liaison officer

Front 22

The ___________ __________ __________ is responsible for coordinating media activities and providing the necessary information to the various media organizations.

Back 22

public information officer

Front 23

An example of a __________ __________ would be an engine company or a ladder company.

Back 23

single resource

Front 24

Single resources can be combined into ________ ________ or _______ _________.

Back 24

task forces / strike teams

Front 25

Other organizational units that can be established under ICS include: (5 Organizational Units)

Back 25

Divisions, groups, branches, task forces, and strike teams

Front 26

The ICS can be expanded infinitely to accommodate _________________. ____________ can be established to aggregate similar functions, such as suppression, EMS, or hazardous materials.

Back 26

any size of incident / Branches

Front 27

Three basic components always apply when working within the ICS:

Back 27

• At every incident, Command must always be established.
• Each fire fighter always reports to one supervisor.
• The company officer reports to Command.

Front 28

As the incident grows or continues, it may be necessary to __________ ____________ to another officer. Transfer of command must be done in a ___________ ___________ to ensure continuity of command.

Back 28

transfer command / seamless manner