Req 7b — Incident Command System
7b.
Draw a diagram of the Incident Command System. Alone or with your team, explain the responsibilities of the Command and General Staff positions on a wildfire incident.
The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene emergency management system used nationwide by fire agencies, police, and emergency responders to coordinate resources during large-scale incidents.
The ICS Organizational Structure
[ Incident Commander ]
/ | \
[ Public Info ] [ Safety ] [ Liaison ]
|
-----------------------------------------------------
| | | |
[ Operations ] [ Planning ] [ Logistics ] [ Finance/Admin ]
Command Staff Positions
- Incident Commander (IC): Overall authority for managing the entire incident, establishing safety objectives, and directing strategy.
- Safety Officer: Monitors all operations for hazardous conditions and has full authority to stop unsafe tactics immediately.
- Public Information Officer (PIO): Serves as the official point of contact for news media, local communities, and public safety warnings.
- Liaison Officer: Coordinates with external assisting agencies (police, county road departments, utility providers, military).
General Staff Positions
- Operations Section Chief: Directs all tactical ground and air firefighting operations (hand crews, dozers, engines, air tankers).
- Planning Section Chief: Collects weather forecasts, maps fire spread, tracks resources, and creates the daily Incident Action Plan (IAP).
- Logistics Section Chief: Provides facilities, food, water, medical support, transportation, and supplies to fire camps.
- Finance / Administration Section Chief: Tracks incident costs, vendor contracts, equipment rentals, and injury claims.
Requirement 7b Resources
🎬 Video: What Is The Incident Command System For Wildland Firefighting? — Inside the Firehouse — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lsddnr8sDU
Next Steps
Explore wildland firefighting hand tools, engines, bulldozers, and aircraft in Requirement 8.