Emergency Response to TerrorismTC: Company Officer

Unit 5: Transition of Command

5-2

Terminal Objective

Identify incident Command transition considerations.

5-3

Enabling Objectives

Identify the strategic and tactical changes anticipated.

Identify conditions that promote a safe and effective transition of command.

5-4

Transition of Command

Occurs for a number of reasons Strengthens incident management Transitions outside/within an agency

Effective protocols are crucial

5-5

The Transition Briefing

Five main areas in transition briefing Situation Strategies Tactical measures Logistics and admin issues Communications with divisions/groups

Overview

5-6

Transition Briefing - Situation

Concise and clear picture Overall incident scene Actions underway Resources

Equipment resources on hand Equipment available elsewhere Number of emergency personnel (on hand, en

route, potential need)

5-7

Transition Briefing - Situation (cont.)

Briefing by law enforcement Security-related concerns Security measures already taken Measures to be implemented as incident grows Evidence preservation procedures

Involvement of outside agencies Those already involved Any support or assistance requested

5-8

Transition Briefing - Situation (cont.)

Zones Initial zones and how they were

distinguished Terminology

Different organizations vary Zones may be labeled by function

Location of Staging Areas

5-9

Transition Briefing - Strategy

Strategies initially identified by first-arriving officer

Tactical actions taken to meet strategic goals Information may be lost in command transition,

resulting in confusion and lost time

5-10

Transition Briefing - Strategy (cont.)

Information on isolation and notification and any modifications

Resource needs and availability Any other information required to

reevaluate initial strategies Briefing should not take much time

5-11

Transition Briefing - Tactical Measures First commander’s tactical measures

dictated by limited availability of resources

Primary focus--life safety Allow enough time for detailed briefing on

self-protection and rescue efforts Re-evaluation and validation of rescue

strategies

5-12

Transition Briefing - Logistical and Administrative

As important as other points Documentation

Time consuming Info on ineffective operations All problems encountered since arrival Make/use notes

5-13

Transition Briefing - Logistical and Administrative (cont.)

Documentation (cont.) Equipment and personnel resources Accountability Staging area and assets within

Rest and rehabilitation

5-14

Transition Briefing - Logistical and Administrative (cont.)

Hazards and risk What risk did they pose to responders? Was risk acceptable and why? Were any protective measures initiated

in expectation of change?

5-15

Transition Briefing - Logistical and Administrative (cont.)

Emergency egress plan Plan for evacuating if conditions deteriorate. Have several alternative plans Include route and signal designated to

initiate withdrawal Designated on maps

5-16

Communications with Subordinate Positions

How incident site is being managed Subordinate functions Unified Command System, if outside

agencies are involved

5-17

Communications with Subordinate Positions (cont.)

Communications methods Radio frequencies Cell-phone numbers Pager numbers Fax numbers Operating channels Telephone numbers

5-18

Summary

Transition briefing should include information on: Situation Strategies Tactical measures Logistics and admin issues Communications Command structure

5-19

Summary (cont.)

Initial commander should use notes and documentation during transition briefing

What gets left out may be exactly what’s needed later

Take sufficient time to conduct the transition briefing properly