EMC341 ICS in Action 2/4
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To:   Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the
      California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

EMC341 ICS in Action 2/4      Release 5/13/02 

The first-in crew was not able to handle much of the fast
moving fire. So, the ranking officer used the radio to call for
help. Moments later the local fire chief arrived and assumed
command while those with equipment to fight the fire did so.

The fire chief, as Incident Commander, was responsible for all
incident operations. His first step was to appoint an Operations
Section Chief, a Liaison Officer and a Logistics Section Chief
as they prepared for the arrival of reinforcements. A Planning
Section Chief was appointed to develop the plan of attack.

The Operations Section Chief designated a STAGING AREA in the 
county fair grounds and a Staging Area Manager to check in all
incoming resources, a temporary location where incident personnel
and equipment are assigned on a three (3) minute available status.

(However, during an initial response, when the IC is also Ops,
Logistics, etc, before staging has even been set up, assignees
are sent directly to their duty location, usually via dispatch
(such as by telephone or radio) by the IC/OPS/ Logistics.)

The Planning Section Chief prepares an Incident Action Plan;
i.e., how to attack the raging fire - overall incident strategy
and specific control actions for the next operational period. In
other words, he's planned how to contain the fire while others
are already fighting it as best they can without the yet to
arrive support.

In a single command structure, a single Incident Commander (IC)
is solely responsible (within the confines of his authority) to
establish objectives and overall management strategy associated
with the incident. The Incident Commander is directly responsible
for follow-through, to ensure all functional area actions are
directed toward accomplishment of the strategy. Implementation of
the plan required to effect operational control of the incident is
the responsibility of the Operations Chief, who reports directly
to the IC.

Continues next week
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