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Presented by Zone 3 Training Officers
“The people that make it happen”
Command Structure: Unit 2
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Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson the student will be able to:
Understand the basic configuration of command by explaining the difference between strategic level, tactical level, and task level.
Explain the basic command structure of the IMS and how to set one up for a small incident.
Explain what a division is and how they operate within the IMS.
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Lesson Objectives (Continued)
Explain what a group is and how they operate within the IMS.
Explain the responsibilities of a division and group supervisor.
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Command Structure (Overview)
IMS COMMAND STRUCTURE
Incident Commander
SafetyPIO
Staging
Rehab
Division 2 Ventilation groupDivision 1
E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 L-1 L-2
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Incident Management System
Basic management system for all incidents
Expandable
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Command Organization
Expand the organization to stay ahead of the deployment of resources.
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Organizational Size
Too many managers . . . . . . and not enough workers
The IC should have more people working than commanding.
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Organizational Size (Continued)
Large command organization
Small command organization
Large-scale and complex incident =
=Small-scale and “simple” incident
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STRATEGIC LEVELOverall direction of the incident
TACTICAL LEVELAssigns operational objectives
TASK LEVELSpecific tasks assigned to companies
The Basic Configuration of Command Includes Three Levels
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Strategy
The development of a broad set of objectives for mitigating the incident
The establishing of tactical objectives, setting of priorities, and allocation of resources
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Strategic Level Responsibilities
Determine the appropriate strategy.
Establish overall incident objectives.
Set priorities.
Obtain and assign resources.
Predict outcomes and planning.
Assign specific objectives to tactical level units.
Develop an incident action plan.
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Action Plan
Plan that identifies the basic strategical approach tobe taken to control the incident
Includes identifying the tactical objectives
Translates those objectives into tasks
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The Action Plan Includes—
All strategic responsibilities.
All tactical objectives.
All support activities needed during the entire operational period.
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Action Plan
Problem/Solution Matrix
PROBLEM STRATEGY TACTICS/TASK RESOURCES
V.O.-Visible Occ. Rescue/Evac Ladder Rescue How many companies
P.O.-Possible Occ. Interior Rescue are needed to
accomplish the task?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire (location) Offensive Fire Streams
Defensive(size/location)
Transitional
(offensive to defensive)
(defensive to offensive)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Exposure Protect Extinguish fire or place
water on it
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Smoke Vent PPV
(location) Vertical Vent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hazardous Condition
(type/location)
Safety RIT
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Tactics
Specific operations that must be accomplished toachieve strategic goals
Tactical objectives should be specific and measurable
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Tactical Level Officers
Branch directors
Division and group supervisors• In charge of grouped resources
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Tactical Level Management
Directs activities toward specific objectives.
Responsible for geographical areas or functions.
Authority to make decisions and assignments.
Achievement of tactical objectives.
Should accomplish strategic goals.
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Task Level
Company or team level functions that carry out the tactival objectives
The “Nuts and Bolts” Evolutions
Can include individual or team level functions in support roles, e.g., Aides
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Task Level Management
Activities normally accomplished at the company level.
Achievement of task assignments should accomplish tactical objectives.
Routinely supervised by company officers.
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Command Structure: Basic
Single engine response
Strategy
Tactics Tasks
Company officer retains all command responsibilities
COMMANDE-1
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Command Structure: Basic (Continued)
The basic structure of a small routine incident.
Command
Engine-2 Engine-3Engine-1Tasks
Strategy Tactics
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Divisions and Groups
A division has a geographical area of responsibility.
A group has a functional operation, which may overlap into different divisions.
As the incident grows, divide companies into divisions and groups.
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Command Structure,up to Divisions/Groups
COMMAND STRUCTURE
Incident Commander
Division 2 Ventilation groupDivision 1
E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 L-1 L-2
Tactics
Tasks
Strategy
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Division Designators (Continued)
Multistory buildings
Division 01Division 02
Division 5
Division 4
Division 3
Division 2
Division 1
Roof division
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Division Designators (Continued)
Building designators
Exterior divisions
C-CHARLIE
D-DAVID
A-ADAM
B-BOY
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Division Designators (Continued)
Side A-ADAM may not always be the address side.
C
B
A
D
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Division Designators (Continued)
Divisions may also be assigned to exterior areas not related to a structure.
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Groups
Groups are responsible for functional assignments such as—
• Salvage group
• Search and rescue group
• Medical group
• Haz. mat. group
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Groups (Continued)
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Groups (Continued)
Command
SafetyPIO
Staging
Rehab
Division B Division 1Division A
Rescue group Ventilation group
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Divisions and Groups—Basic Operational Approach
To divide up the incident into smaller management units
VS
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Divisions and Groups (Continued)
Reduces the span of control
Better communication
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Divisions and Groups (Continued)
Assign division and groups early on, if incident dictates the need.
Assign an Operations Officer when number of divisions and/or groups exceeds span of control.
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Divisions and Groups (Continued)
Effective divisions or groups allow the IC to concentrate on—
• Overall strategy
• Tactical objectives
• Resource assignment
• Evaluation of action plan
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Divisions and Groups (Continued)
Division or group supervisors’ responsibilities include:
• Tactical deployment of resources
• Completion of assigned objectives
• Communicating needs to IC
• Communicating progress
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Divisions and Groups (Continued)
Communicate face to face when possible (reduces radio traffic).
Groups coordinate with division supervisors.
Maintain communication with personnel at all times.
Monitor hazards and risks to personnel.
Take action if necessary for safety of personnel.
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When Do You Assign Divisions or Groups?
If you anticipate going beyond your span of control (3-7).
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When Do You Assign Divisions or Groups? (Continued)
When it becomes difficult to manage your resources.
Complex operations• Large geographical areas• Hazardous materials • Technical rescues
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When Do You Assign Divisions or Groups? (Continued)
When companies are operating out of direct control of the IC.
Special hazards needing more direct control.
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When Do You Assign Divisions or Groups? (Continued)
Command will assign each division or group:
A supervisor
A radio designator (Name of division or group)
Tactical objectives
Identity of resources assigned
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When Do You Assign Divisions or Groups? (Continued)
Command is the only one who assigns divisions and groups until an Operations Section Chief is assigned.
Operations Section Chief will advise the IC when assigning additional divisions and groups.
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Division and Group Guidelines
Command will monitor the number of companies assigned each division or group.
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Division and Group Guidelines (Continued)
Difficulty in managing resources within yourdivision?
Contact IC to split the division or other action.
Remember span of control 3-7.
Subdivide the incident in a manner that makes sense.
Assign divisions to geographical locations.• Roof division• Division A-ADAM
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Division and Group Guidelines (Continued)
Assign groups to functional responsibilities.• Ventilation group• Salvage group
Radio communication should reflect your assignment.• “Command, this is roof division”• “Command, this is salvage group”
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Division and Group Guidelines (Continued)
Divisions and groups should be supervised by chief officers if possible, but may be supervised by co. officers.
Safety, Liaison, PIO should not be used in figuring span of control for IC.
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Division and Group Guidelines (Continued)
Divisions can be assigned to monitor areas of concern and report back to the IC.
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Division and Group Guidelines (Continued)
The officer assigned a division or group will—
Proceed to the division/group.
Evaluate and report conditions to the IC.
Direct operations and resources within your assigned area.
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Division and Group Guidelines (Continued)
Division and Group Supervisors must be in a position to directly supervise and monitor operations.
Supervisors must be in full protective equipment if in the hazard area.
Supervisors are responsible for and in control of all assigned functions within their division or group.
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Responsibilities of Supervisors
Division and Group Supervisors will—
Complete objectives assigned.
Account for all assigned personnel.
Ensure that operations are conducted safely.
Monitor work progress.
Redirect activities as necessary.
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Responsibilities of Supervisors (Continued)
Coordinate activities with adjacent divisions/groups.
Monitor welfare of assigned personnel.
Request additional resources as needed.
Provide command with timely progress reports.
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Responsibilities of Supervisors (Continued)
Re-allocate resources within the division/group.
Maintain a visible position as much as possible.
Be identifiable (vest).
Keep command informed through regular progress reports.
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Responsibilities of Supervisors (Continued)
Command must be advised immediately ofsignificant changes.
Those involving companies
Inability to complete an objective
Hazardous condition
Accidents
Structural collapse
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Responsibilities of Supervisors (Continued)
Monitor crews and request relief crews as needed for safety of personnel.
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Responsibilities of Company Officers
Direct operations of their individual crews in performing tasks.
Advise division/group supervisor of progress (face to face if possible).
Request additional resources through your division or group supervisor.
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Summary
We have discussed—
The basic configuration of command by explaining the difference between strategic level, tactical level, and task level.
The basic command structure of the IMS and how to set one up for a small incident.
What a division is and how they operate within the IMS.
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Summary (continued)
What a group is and how they operate within the IMS.
The responsibilities of a division and group supervisor.