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4 April 2025
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Featured FRI Magazine article: Implementing incident command systems on the ground by Reinard Geldenhuys
The incident commander (IC) is responsible for safely managing the incident and ensuring everyone goes home
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An ICS briefing
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An incident command post (ICP) can start out on the hood of a vehicle and progress to a dedicated incident command vehicle
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In the case of wildfires, it may be necessary for the IC to initially remain mobile
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https://www.frimedia.org/uploads/1/2/2/7/122743954/fri_vol_3_no_4.pdf
This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Fire awareness campaigns: Implementing incident command systems on the ground written by Reinard Geldenhuys, chief fire officer, Overberg District Municipality (FRI Vol 3 no 4). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.
Implementing incident command systems on the groundBy Reinard Geldenhuys, chief fire officer, Overberg District Municipality
Emergency services respond to a wide range of emergency incidents. In order to effectively manage personnel and resources, as well as to provide for the safety and welfare of personnel, services operate within the incident command system (ICS) during all incidents from Type 4 to Type 1. The incident command system is also used on medical emergencies and public service calls when the response exceeds the first turnout assignment. Single unit responses or Type 5 incidents may not necessitate the use of the full IC system but there will always be an incident commander. Incident types will be discussed in a follow up article.
The purpose of the incident command system is to:
The incident command system will inter alia address the following:
Responsibilities of the incident commander
The incident commander (IC) is responsible for safely managing the incident and ensuring everyone goes home! The IC has the authority to turn his/her decisions into actions by using ICS to formulate the incident objectives, strategy(s) and tactical direction to those units assigned to the incident.
Incident priorities should always involve and address:
Functions of command
The functions of command define standard activities that are performed by the IC to achieve the tactical objectives. The functions of command include:
Establishing command and situation reports
The first unit to arrive at the scene establishes command. The initial IC remains in command until the command is transferred or the incident is stabilised and command is terminated.
As command is established, an ‘initial situation report’ is given. This report will include:
Command options
The first arriving unit or member to establish command of the incident has several options, depending on the situation. One of the following command options may be used:
Nothing showing-investigative mode
These situations generally require investigation by the initial arriving resources while other units hold at a determined staging area.
Fast attack mode
These situations require the immediate action of the initial arriving resources and require the incident commander’s (IC’s) involvement in the action. In these situations the ICs lead their crew, to provide the appropriate level of supervision, while utilising radio or other types of communication to remain in command of the incident (command may be passed at the appropriate time).
Examples are as follows:
NB! The fast attack mode should not last more than a few minutes and will end with one of the following:
Command mode
Certain incidents, by virtue of their size, complexity or potential for rapid expansion, require immediate strong, direct, overall command. In such cases, the IC will initially establish an exterior, safe and effective command post, initiate the command mode and maintain in that position until command is transferred or terminated. An ICS 201 form or incident organiser should be initiated and utilised to assist in managing these types of incidents.
Establishing the command post
The first officer on the scene of an escalating incident should also establish an incident command post (ICP). An ICP can start out on the hood of a vehicle and progress to a vehicle, equipped for this purpose, providing appropriate work space for the IC and staff personnel, lighting, communications equipment, supply items and some isolation from external distractions making the command more effective and enhance safety for the on-scene members. Mobile command unit can be requested for this purpose.
In the case of wildfires, it may be necessary for the IC to initially remain mobile in order to determine the most effective strategies and develop the tactics needed to control the incident. If this occurs, a clearly defined reporting point for incoming units must be communicated.
Transfer of command
Command is transferred:
The person being relieved will brief the officer assuming command indicating at least the following:
Additional overhead responsibilities
The response and arrival of additional senior personnel or qualified personnel from other agencies on the incident scene strengthens the overall ICS. As the incident escalates, the IC should use these personnel to fill various ICS positions. The priorities to fill IC positions include: operations, safety, divisions/groups, information officer (IO) and plans. It is important the ICS expand as necessary to accomplish the overall objectives. Incident command assignments will be based on incident need, priority and area coverage issues. Each incident is unique, therefore needs and priorities change. The flexibility in the use of incident command positions is critical to appropriate resolution of the incident.
In general, the first position to be filled after IC is the operations section chief. The officer originally managing the incident as IC can assume the operations section chief if command is transferred. This allows him/her to continue with his or her operational plan.
General staff positions
Command staff positions:
Command teams
If an incident is expected to potentially exceed district command resources and/or expected to last longer than one operational period, a provincial incident management team (IMT) can be requested to assist in certain positions. The provincial team does not however relieve the controlling authority of responsibility.
This week’s featured Fire and Rescue International magazine article is: Fire awareness campaigns: Implementing incident command systems on the ground written by Reinard Geldenhuys, chief fire officer, Overberg District Municipality (FRI Vol 3 no 4). We will be sharing more technical/research/tactical articles from Fire and Rescue International magazine on a weekly basis with our readers to assist in technology transfer. This will hopefully create an increased awareness, providing you with hands-on advice and guidance. All our magazines are available free of charge in PDF format on our website and online at ISSUU. We also provide all technical articles as a free download in our article archive on our website.
Implementing incident command systems on the groundBy Reinard Geldenhuys, chief fire officer, Overberg District Municipality
Emergency services respond to a wide range of emergency incidents. In order to effectively manage personnel and resources, as well as to provide for the safety and welfare of personnel, services operate within the incident command system (ICS) during all incidents from Type 4 to Type 1. The incident command system is also used on medical emergencies and public service calls when the response exceeds the first turnout assignment. Single unit responses or Type 5 incidents may not necessitate the use of the full IC system but there will always be an incident commander. Incident types will be discussed in a follow up article.
The purpose of the incident command system is to:
- Ensure that a strong, direct and visible command will be established from the onset of the incident.
- Establish an effective incident organisation defining the activities and responsibilities assigned to the IC and the other individuals operating within the incident command system.
- Provide a system to process information to support incident management, planning and decision-making.
- Provide a system for the orderly transfer of command to subsequent arriving officers.
The incident command system will inter alia address the following:
- Incident command responsibilities
- Incident priorities
- Functions of command
- Personnel accountability
- Condition reports
- Command options
- Command posts
- Transfer of command
- IC and command and general staff roles and responsibilities
- Radio systems
- Proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
Responsibilities of the incident commander
The incident commander (IC) is responsible for safely managing the incident and ensuring everyone goes home! The IC has the authority to turn his/her decisions into actions by using ICS to formulate the incident objectives, strategy(s) and tactical direction to those units assigned to the incident.
Incident priorities should always involve and address:
- The safety, accountability and welfare of personnel (this priority is ongoing throughout the incident).
- Remove endangered person(s) and treat the injured.
- Stabilise the incident and provide for life safety.
- Protect the environment.
- Property conservation.
Functions of command
The functions of command define standard activities that are performed by the IC to achieve the tactical objectives. The functions of command include:
- Establishing IC named by location (and, if appropriate, a command post).
- Rapidly evaluate the situation (size-up) and provide a ‘situation report’.
- Identify the overall incident objectives and strategy.
- Assign resources and personnel consistent with incident priorities, plans and standard operating procedures.
- Request additional resources based on anticipated need.
- Establish and maintain personnel accountability.
- Develop an effective ICS organisation that meets the needs of the incident (expand system to fill positions as needed).
- Review, evaluate, and revise (as needed) the incident objectives and plans.
- Provide for the continuity, transfer (as necessary) and termination of command.
Establishing command and situation reports
The first unit to arrive at the scene establishes command. The initial IC remains in command until the command is transferred or the incident is stabilised and command is terminated.
As command is established, an ‘initial situation report’ is given. This report will include:
- A brief description of the incident situation (ie building size, occupancy, hazmat, multi-vehicle accident, etc).
- Obvious conditions (working fire, hazmat spill, multiple patients, etc).
- Any obvious incident priorities (safety, rescue, exposures).
- Additional resources needed (additional or special resource requests).
Command options
The first arriving unit or member to establish command of the incident has several options, depending on the situation. One of the following command options may be used:
Nothing showing-investigative mode
These situations generally require investigation by the initial arriving resources while other units hold at a determined staging area.
Fast attack mode
These situations require the immediate action of the initial arriving resources and require the incident commander’s (IC’s) involvement in the action. In these situations the ICs lead their crew, to provide the appropriate level of supervision, while utilising radio or other types of communication to remain in command of the incident (command may be passed at the appropriate time).
Examples are as follows:
- Critical life safety situations that must be addressed immediately (ie rescue).
- Offensive fire attacks.
- Defensive fire attacks with immediate exposure threats.
- Any incident where the safety and welfare of fire fighters is a major concern.
- Obvious working incidents that require further investigation by the IC.
NB! The fast attack mode should not last more than a few minutes and will end with one of the following:
- Situation is stabilised.
- Situation is not stabilised and the IC must withdraw to the exterior or out of the tactical arena to assume a strategic role.
- Command is transferred to another on scene officer (who confirms the acceptance of IC).
Command mode
Certain incidents, by virtue of their size, complexity or potential for rapid expansion, require immediate strong, direct, overall command. In such cases, the IC will initially establish an exterior, safe and effective command post, initiate the command mode and maintain in that position until command is transferred or terminated. An ICS 201 form or incident organiser should be initiated and utilised to assist in managing these types of incidents.
Establishing the command post
The first officer on the scene of an escalating incident should also establish an incident command post (ICP). An ICP can start out on the hood of a vehicle and progress to a vehicle, equipped for this purpose, providing appropriate work space for the IC and staff personnel, lighting, communications equipment, supply items and some isolation from external distractions making the command more effective and enhance safety for the on-scene members. Mobile command unit can be requested for this purpose.
In the case of wildfires, it may be necessary for the IC to initially remain mobile in order to determine the most effective strategies and develop the tactics needed to control the incident. If this occurs, a clearly defined reporting point for incoming units must be communicated.
Transfer of command
Command is transferred:
- to improve the quality of the incident command system and enhance the safety of the members assigned to the incident or
- dictated by the level of the incident or
- at the discretion of the chief fire officer or senior manager.
- The more senior officer arriving on scene may at his/her discretion:
- Assume command of the incident.
- Allow the current IC to retain command and monitor command activity and effectiveness.
- Request a more qualified or more appropriate IC from another agency or an agency with higher level of jurisdictional responsibility to take over.
The person being relieved will brief the officer assuming command indicating at least the following:
- Conditions – general situation status, significant events, plan (IAP), completed objectives, safety considerations.
- Actions – assignments of companies and personnel.
- Needs – for additional resources.
Additional overhead responsibilities
The response and arrival of additional senior personnel or qualified personnel from other agencies on the incident scene strengthens the overall ICS. As the incident escalates, the IC should use these personnel to fill various ICS positions. The priorities to fill IC positions include: operations, safety, divisions/groups, information officer (IO) and plans. It is important the ICS expand as necessary to accomplish the overall objectives. Incident command assignments will be based on incident need, priority and area coverage issues. Each incident is unique, therefore needs and priorities change. The flexibility in the use of incident command positions is critical to appropriate resolution of the incident.
In general, the first position to be filled after IC is the operations section chief. The officer originally managing the incident as IC can assume the operations section chief if command is transferred. This allows him/her to continue with his or her operational plan.
General staff positions
- Operations section is responsible for the management of all operations directly applicable to the primary mission (implementing incident objectives, strategy and tactical directives).
- Logistics section is the support mechanism for the organisation. Logistics provides facilities, services and material in support to all the organisational components involved in the incident.
- Planning section responsible for collection, evaluation, dissemination and use of information needed for effective decision making.
- Finance section evaluates and manages the risk and financial requirements for the service's involvement in the incident.
Command staff positions:
- Safety officer to develop and recommend measures for assuring personnel safety and to assess and/or anticipate hazardous and unsafe conditions and/or tactics.
- Information officer responsible for developing and releasing information about the incident to the news media, incident personnel, other appropriate agencies, organisations and the public on scene.
- Liaison officer may be used in incidents that are multi-jurisdictional to communicate needs and concerns among participating organisations.
Command teams
If an incident is expected to potentially exceed district command resources and/or expected to last longer than one operational period, a provincial incident management team (IMT) can be requested to assist in certain positions. The provincial team does not however relieve the controlling authority of responsibility.