Command Structure: Unit 2

1. Command Structure: Unit 2 Presentedby Zone 3 Training Officers “The people that make it happen”

2. 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.

3. Lesson Objectives (Continued) • Explain what a group is and how they operate within the IMS. • Explain the responsibilities of a division and group supervisor.

4. Command Structure (Overview) IMS COMMAND STRUCTURE Incident Commander PIO Safety Staging Rehab Division 1 Division 2 Ventilation group E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 L-1 L-2

5. Incident Management System • Basic management system for all incidents • Expandable

6. Command Organization • Expand the organization to stay ahead of the deployment of resources.

7. Organizational Size Too many managers . . . . . . and not enough workers The IC should have more people working than commanding.

8. Organizational Size (Continued) Large-scale and complex incident Large command organization = Small-scale and “simple” incident Small command organization =

9. STRATEGIC LEVEL Overall direction of the incident TACTICAL LEVEL Assigns operational objectives The Basic Configuration of Command Includes Three Levels TASK LEVEL Specific tasks assigned to companies

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Action Plan Plan that identifies the basic strategical approach to be taken to control the incident • Includes identifying the tactical objectives • Translates those objectives into tasks

13. The Action Plan Includes— • All strategic responsibilities. • All tactical objectives. • All support activities needed during the entire operational period.

14. Action Plan Problem/Solution Matrix PROBLEMSTRATEGY 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smoke Vent PPV (location) Vertical Vent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hazardous Condition (type/location) Safety RIT

15. Tactics Specific operations that must be accomplished to achieve strategic goals • Tactical objectives should be specific and measurable

16. Tactical Level Officers • Branch directors • Division and group supervisors • In charge of grouped resources

17. 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.

18. 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

19. Task Level Management • Activities normally accomplished at the company level. • Achievement of task assignments should accomplish tactical objectives. • Routinely supervised by company officers.

20. Command Structure: Basic • Single engine response Strategy Tactics Tasks • Company officer retains all command responsibilities COMMAND E-1

21. Command Structure: Basic (Continued) • The basic structure of a small routine incident. Strategy Tactics Command Engine-1 Engine-2 Engine-3 Tasks

22. 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.

23. Tactics Division 1 Division 2 Ventilation group Tasks E-1 E-2 E-3 E-4 E-5 E-6 L-1 L-2 Command Structure,up to Divisions/Groups COMMAND STRUCTURE Strategy Incident Commander

24. Roof division Division 5 Division 4 Division 3 Division 2 Division 1 Division Designators (Continued) • Multistory buildings Division 01 Division 02

25. Division Designators (Continued) • Building designators • Exterior divisions C-CHARLIE B-BOY D-DAVID A-ADAM

26. D C A B Division Designators (Continued) Side A-ADAM may not always be the address side.

27. Division Designators (Continued) Divisions may also be assigned to exterior areas not related to a structure.

28. Groups • Groups are responsible for functional assignments such as— • Salvage group • Search and rescue group • Medical group • Haz. mat. group

29. Groups (Continued)

30. Groups (Continued) Command PIO Safety Staging Rehab Division A Division B Division 1 Rescue group Ventilation group

31. Divisions and Groups—Basic Operational Approach • To divide up the incident into smaller management units VS

32. Divisions and Groups (Continued) • Reduces the span of control • Better communication

33. 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.

34. Divisions and Groups (Continued) • Effective divisions or groups allow the IC to concentrate on— • Overall strategy • Tactical objectives • Resource assignment • Evaluation of action plan

35. Divisions and Groups (Continued) • Division or group supervisors’ responsibilities include: • Tactical deployment of resources • Completion of assigned objectives • Communicating needs to IC • Communicating progress

36. 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.

37. When Do You Assign Divisions or Groups? • If you anticipate going beyond your span of control (3-7).

38. 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

39. 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.

40. 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

41. 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.

42. Division and Group Guidelines Command will monitor the number of companies assigned each division or group.

43. Division and Group Guidelines (Continued) Difficulty in managing resources within your division? • 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

44. 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”

45. 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.

46. Division and Group Guidelines (Continued) Divisions can be assigned to monitor areas of concern and report back to the IC.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. 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.