A/V 2-1 UNIT 2: INCIDENT COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES

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UNIT 2:UNIT 2:INCIDENT COMMAND INCIDENT COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIESRESPONSIBILITIES

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Activity 2.1Activity 2.1Incident Command Incident Command

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

PurposePurpose

To identify the varying responsibilities, To identify the varying responsibilities, procedures, and functions associated with procedures, and functions associated with Incident Command.Incident Command.

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KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVESKNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES

The students will be able to:The students will be able to:

• Explain the importance of command Explain the importance of command standard operating procedures (SOP's).standard operating procedures (SOP's).

• Describe the three responsibilities of the Describe the three responsibilities of the Incident Commander (IC) at EMS Incident Commander (IC) at EMS incidents.incidents.

• Describe the nine functions of the IC at Describe the nine functions of the IC at an EMS incident.an EMS incident.

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KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES (cont'd)(cont'd)

• Explain the process of establishing initial Explain the process of establishing initial command.command.

• Explain the importance of the radio Explain the importance of the radio designation "Command."designation "Command."

• Explain the transfer-of-command Explain the transfer-of-command process.process.

• Explain the limitations of the process of Explain the limitations of the process of passing command.passing command.

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMANDCOMMAND

The IC is responsible for:The IC is responsible for:

• The rescue of all victims.The rescue of all victims.

• Ensuring that patients are extricated, Ensuring that patients are extricated, treated, and transported to medical treated, and transported to medical facilities.facilities.

• Stabilizing the incident and providing for Stabilizing the incident and providing for life safety, accountability, and welfare of life safety, accountability, and welfare of personnel.personnel.

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COMMAND PROCEDURESCOMMAND PROCEDURES

• Affix the responsibility for command on a Affix the responsibility for command on a specific individual.specific individual.

• Ensure that a strong, direct, and visible Ensure that a strong, direct, and visible command will be established.command will be established.

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COMMAND PROCEDURES COMMAND PROCEDURES (cont'd)(cont'd)

• Establish an effective incident Establish an effective incident management organization.management organization.

• Provide a system for processing Provide a system for processing information.information.

• Provide a system for the orderly transfer Provide a system for the orderly transfer of command.of command.

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ESTABLISHING COMMANDESTABLISHING COMMAND

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RADIO DESIGNATIONRADIO DESIGNATION

The radio designation "Command " or The radio designation "Command " or "IC" should be used."IC" should be used.

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FUNCTIONS OF COMMANDFUNCTIONS OF COMMAND

Roles and responsibilitiesRoles and responsibilities• Assess the situation and/or obtain a Assess the situation and/or obtain a

briefing from the prior IC.briefing from the prior IC.• Determine incident objectives and Determine incident objectives and

strategy.strategy.• Establish the immediate priorities.Establish the immediate priorities.• Establish an Incident Command Post Establish an Incident Command Post

(ICP).(ICP).

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FUNCTIONS OF COMMAND FUNCTIONS OF COMMAND (cont'd)(cont'd)

• Establish an appropriate organization.Establish an appropriate organization.• Ensure planning meetings are scheduled as Ensure planning meetings are scheduled as

required.required.• Approve and authorize the implementation of Approve and authorize the implementation of

an Incident Action Plan (IAP).an Incident Action Plan (IAP).• Ensure that adequate safety measures are in Ensure that adequate safety measures are in

place.place.• Coordinate activity for all Command and Coordinate activity for all Command and

General Staff.General Staff.

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FUNCTIONS OF COMMAND FUNCTIONS OF COMMAND (cont'd)(cont'd)

• Coordinate with key people and officials.Coordinate with key people and officials.

• Approve requests for additional Approve requests for additional resources or for the release of resources.resources or for the release of resources.

• Keep agency administrator informed of Keep agency administrator informed of incident status.incident status.

• Approve the use of trainees, volunteers, Approve the use of trainees, volunteers, and auxiliary personnel.and auxiliary personnel.

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FUNCTIONS OF COMMAND FUNCTIONS OF COMMAND (cont'd)(cont'd)

• Authorize release of information to the Authorize release of information to the news media.news media.

• Ensure Incident Status Summary is Ensure Incident Status Summary is completed and forwarded to appropriate completed and forwarded to appropriate higher authority.higher authority.

• Order the demobilization of the incident Order the demobilization of the incident when appropriate.when appropriate.

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STRATEGIC PLANNINGSTRATEGIC PLANNING

The IC is responsible for strategic The IC is responsible for strategic planning.planning.

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STRATEGIC PLANNING STRATEGIC PLANNING (cont'd)(cont'd)

The IC announces the time and location of The IC announces the time and location of the strategic planning meeting.the strategic planning meeting.

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TRANSFER OF COMMANDTRANSFER OF COMMAND

• A standardized approach to the transfer A standardized approach to the transfer of command to a higher ranking officer of command to a higher ranking officer is essential.is essential.

• The person assuming command will The person assuming command will communicate with the person presently communicate with the person presently in command by radio or face-to-face.in command by radio or face-to-face.

• Face-to-face is preferred.Face-to-face is preferred.

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TRANSFER OF COMMAND TRANSFER OF COMMAND (cont'd)(cont'd)

• Acknowledge transfer.Acknowledge transfer.

• Advise dispatch of the change in command Advise dispatch of the change in command officers.officers.

• Assume command based on an individual's Assume command based on an individual's qualifications.qualifications.

Review the tactical worksheet or status Review the tactical worksheet or status board with the officer assuming Command.board with the officer assuming Command.

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TRANSFER OF COMMAND TRANSFER OF COMMAND (cont'd)(cont'd)

• The incident conditions (patient count The incident conditions (patient count and priority, hazards, etc.)and priority, hazards, etc.)

• IAPIAP

• Progress towards achieving objectivesProgress towards achieving objectives

The person being relieved will brief the The person being relieved will brief the new IC, indicating at least the following:new IC, indicating at least the following:

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TRANSFER OF COMMAND TRANSFER OF COMMAND (cont'd)(cont'd)

• Safety considerations, concerns.Safety considerations, concerns.

• Deployment and assignment of operating Deployment and assignment of operating units and personnel.units and personnel.

• Appraisal of the need for additional Appraisal of the need for additional resources.resources.

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UNIFIED COMMANDUNIFIED COMMAND

• Jointly determine objectives, strategies, Jointly determine objectives, strategies, and priorities.and priorities.

• Jointly select the IC and Operations Jointly select the IC and Operations Chief.Chief.

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INTERPERSONAL SKILLSINTERPERSONAL SKILLS