EMC014 ICS Operations Chief
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), the volunteer
      communications reserve of the State of California 
      Governor's Office of Emergency Services

The OPERATIONS CHIEF, as the head of the Operations Section, is
responsible for the direct management of all incident tactical
activities. The chief assists in the formulation of the Incident
Action Plan. Tactical operations include all activities which are
directed toward reduction of the immediate hazard, establishing
situation control and restoration of normal operations.

The Operations Chief designates the location of Staging areas
within the Incident area which are used temporarily to locate
resources which are available for assignment on a 3-minute
availability. The Operations Chief may establish, move and
discontinue use of Staging Areas.

The Operations Chief may establish an Air Operations
Organization. It's size, organization and use will depend on the
nature of the incident and aircraft availability. On large
incidents the Operations Chief may deal directly with the Air
Attack Supervisor, who in turn will coordinate all airborn
activity through a Helicopter Coordinator and an Air Tanker
Coordinator. In some cases (e.g., a single helicopter in use) the
helicopter may be directly under the Operations Chief's control. 

When the number of resources on an incident (single resources, 
Task Forces or Strike Teams) exceeds the 5-1 span-of-control of
the Operations Chief, then Divisions and Groups are established.

Divisions are normally established for geographical areas.
Groups are normally established for functional operations areas. 
There is no absolute necessity to differentiate by a separate
term, Division or Group. However, the use of the two terms is
useful in that a Division will always mean a geographical
assignment and a Group will always mean a functional assignment.

Next bulletin: ICS Air Operations

E-mail crm@oes.ca.gov or seh@oes.ca.gov. Telephone 916-262-1600 
Internet:http://www.garlic.com/oes    W6WWW@KM6PX.#NOCAL.USA.NA
BBS 916-262-1657  FAX 916-262-1677. Packet: W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA
ACS c/o State OES, 2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA. 95832
EOM EMC014