Size Up & Incident Size Up & Incident CommandCommand

A Guide for Initial A Guide for Initial Command ActionsCommand Actions

Initial Command ActionsInitial Command Actions

Will Often Determine the Future Will Often Determine the Future Course of the IncidentCourse of the Incident

5 Step Method5 Step Method

1.1. ArrivalArrival

2.2. Report on ConditionsReport on Conditions

3.3. Declare Assuming Incident CommandDeclare Assuming Incident Command

4.4. Action Plan StatementAction Plan Statement

5.5. Resources NeededResources Needed

1. ARRIVAL1. ARRIVAL

►A Brief Statement That You Are At SceneA Brief Statement That You Are At Scene

““Camino, ____(your I.D.), At Scene”Camino, ____(your I.D.), At Scene”

► Confirm Address or Location of IncidentConfirm Address or Location of Incident

““2345 ______ Road”2345 ______ Road”

2. Report On Conditions2. Report On Conditions

►A Brief Description of the IncidentA Brief Description of the Incident (What do you see?… paint a picture for Dispatch & for those (What do you see?… paint a picture for Dispatch & for those

listening)listening) Describe Occupancy Use, Building Type, or ConstructionDescribe Occupancy Use, Building Type, or Construction

►Key Phrases Are UsefulKey Phrases Are Useful Some Typical Key Phrases for Structure Some Typical Key Phrases for Structure

Fires:Fires:►““Nothing Showing”Nothing Showing”►““Smoke Showing” or “Fire & Smoke Showing”Smoke Showing” or “Fire & Smoke Showing”►““Fully Involved” or % or “Room & Contents”Fully Involved” or % or “Room & Contents”►““Building Evacuated”Building Evacuated”

Report on ConditionsReport on ConditionsContinuedContinued

►Key Phrases for Wildland Incidents:Key Phrases for Wildland Incidents: SizeSize:: “____Acres”“____Acres” Rate of Spread:Rate of Spread: “Slow, Moderate, Rapid”“Slow, Moderate, Rapid” Fuel Type:Fuel Type: “Grass, Brush,Timber”“Grass, Brush,Timber”

Direction of Spread:Direction of Spread: “Topographical or “Topographical or N,S,E,W”N,S,E,W”

►Note: Indicate if Threat to StructuresNote: Indicate if Threat to Structures

3.3. Declare Assumption of Declare Assumption of Incident CommandIncident Command

►ECC Assigns Incident Name and ECC Assigns Incident Name and Tactical Frequency / ChannelTactical Frequency / Channel

►Declare Assuming CommandDeclare Assuming Command►Confirm the Incident Name, On the Air:Confirm the Incident Name, On the Air:

““I Will Be _____ (Name) I.C. on Tac 9I Will Be _____ (Name) I.C. on Tac 9

► Identify Location of ICPIdentify Location of ICP ““ICP is Located at _______”ICP is Located at _______”

When in ChargeWhen in Charge

Take ChargeTake Charge

Assuming Command vs. Assuming Command vs. Passing CommandPassing Command

►Tactical Priority Requires You Take Tactical Priority Requires You Take Action Rather Than Assume CommandAction Rather Than Assume Command

►Life RescueLife Rescue►Time Factors in OperationsTime Factors in Operations►Limitations on Passing CommandLimitations on Passing Command►See District S.O.P. 201, Section IVSee District S.O.P. 201, Section IV

4. Action Plan4. Action Plan

►An Initial Statement of ObjectivesAn Initial Statement of Objectives►Command Texts Often Refer to Command Texts Often Refer to

“Modes”“Modes”►Key Action Phrases:Key Action Phrases:

““Inside to Investigate”Inside to Investigate” ““Interior Attack Line with Rescue”Interior Attack Line with Rescue” ““Offensive”Offensive” ““Defensive”Defensive”

Action PlanAction Plancontinuedcontinued

►Assigning Other Units In Your PlanAssigning Other Units In Your Plan ““Engine __, Establish Water Supply”Engine __, Establish Water Supply” ““Take Ventilation”Take Ventilation” ““Take the Left Flank”Take the Left Flank” ““Protect Exposures”Protect Exposures” ““Set Up Traffic Control”Set Up Traffic Control”

►Note: Think of Note: Think of RECEORECEO

RECEO RECEO Establish PrioritiesEstablish Priorities

►RescueRescue►ExposuresExposures►ConfinementConfinement►ExtinguishmentExtinguishment►OverhaulOverhaul

►Salvage & VentilationSalvage & Ventilation

5. Resources Needed5. Resources Needed

►Do you have Enough Resources?Do you have Enough Resources? If so, then transmit:If so, then transmit:““Can Handle with Units At Scene”Can Handle with Units At Scene”

Do you have Authority to Order:Do you have Authority to Order:Additional Company’s ? Alarms?Additional Company’s ? Alarms?

Remember: When in Charge, Take ChargeRemember: When in Charge, Take Charge

Staging ResourcesStaging Resources

► If You Can’t Find the Incident, Consider If You Can’t Find the Incident, Consider Staging Your Incoming UnitsStaging Your Incoming Units ““Have All Units Hold Present Location”Have All Units Hold Present Location”

►Useful Technique: Staging AreaUseful Technique: Staging Area►Note: If You Must Create a Staging Note: If You Must Create a Staging

AreaArea Assign a Staging Area Manager (STAM)Assign a Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Canceling ResourcesCanceling Resources

► If Not Needed, Canceling is a Valid If Not Needed, Canceling is a Valid OptionOption

►Better to Order Too Much Than Not Better to Order Too Much Than Not EnoughEnough

►Never Too Late to Cancel ResourcesNever Too Late to Cancel Resources►You Can Always Send Them HomeYou Can Always Send Them Home►Asserting a Cancellation is a Function Asserting a Cancellation is a Function

of Commandof Command

If you know a Medic Unit will If you know a Medic Unit will Transport:Transport:

““Camino, Medic 48 Committed”Camino, Medic 48 Committed”

All Risk ConsiderationsAll Risk Considerations

►Mass Casualty IncidentsMass Casualty Incidents Declare an MCIDeclare an MCI

►Haz MatHaz Mat Isolate, Identify, Deny Entry & Notify Isolate, Identify, Deny Entry & Notify

(S.I.N.)(S.I.N.)

►Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement Traffic Control, Road Closure, Early Traffic Control, Road Closure, Early

WarningWarning

►Structural CollapseStructural Collapse Need to Evacuate from Structure, RICNeed to Evacuate from Structure, RIC

Other “Nuggets”Other “Nuggets”

►F.A.T.S.F.A.T.S. Fireground Accountability Tracking SystemFireground Accountability Tracking System

►L.C.E.S. (Wildland and “All Risk”)L.C.E.S. (Wildland and “All Risk”)

► Interface Fires with Threat to Structures:Interface Fires with Threat to Structures: Immediate Threat to Life & PropertyImmediate Threat to Life & Property

Use of Checklists & GuidesUse of Checklists & Guides

►The 10 & the 18The 10 & the 18►D.O.T GuideD.O.T Guide►F.O.G.F.O.G.► ICS 201 and Other FormsICS 201 and Other Forms► Incident Response Pocket GuideIncident Response Pocket Guide

NFES #1077, January 2004 (See page 12)NFES #1077, January 2004 (See page 12) Lots of Reference Resources for you!Lots of Reference Resources for you!

Volunteer & Off Duty Response in P.O.V.Volunteer & Off Duty Response in P.O.V.

►ProfessionalismProfessionalism►Cell Phone with ECC’s Phone NumberCell Phone with ECC’s Phone Number►Radio Radio ►How to I.D. Self and Pass InformationHow to I.D. Self and Pass Information►What Is Appropriate vs. What Isn’tWhat Is Appropriate vs. What Isn’t

SUMMARYSUMMARY

► It All Starts With AttitudeIt All Starts With Attitude►PreparationPreparation►CommitmentCommitment

Your Sense of Professional CourtesyYour Sense of Professional Courtesy Seek InformationSeek Information The Next Incident will be “Come as you The Next Incident will be “Come as you

are”are”►Practice (and opportunity to practicePractice (and opportunity to practice►Are you ready?Are you ready?