Incident Command System study set

Planning

Supports the incident action planning process by tracking resources, collecting/analyzing information, and maintaining documentation.

(true/false)Unity of command means that every individual is accountable to and reports to only one designated supervisor.

True, Under unity of command, personnel report to only one Incident Command System (ICS) supervisor and receive work assignments only from their ICS supervisor.

What are the 5 major functional areas of the ICS?

-Command -Operations -Planning -Logistics -Finance/Administration

Finance/Administration Section: Major Activities

-Contract negotiation and monitoring -Timekeeping -Cost analysis -Compensation for injury or damage to property -Documentation for reimbursement (e.g., under mutual aid agreements and assistance agreements)

An Action Plan should...

-Cover a specified timeframe. -Be proactive. -Specify the incident objectives. -State the activities to be completed. -Assign responsibilities. -Identify needed resources. -Specify communication protocols.

Incident commander responsibilities

-Ensuring overall incident safety -Providing information services to internal and external -stakeholders, such as disaster survivors, agency executives, and senior officials -Establishing and maintaining liaisons with other agencies participating in the incident

Operations Section: Major Activities

-Implementing strategies and developing tactics to carry out the incident objectives -Directing the management of all tactical activities on behalf of the Incident Commander -Supporting the development of the Incident Action Plan to ensure it accurately reflects current operations -Organizing, assigning, and supervising the tactical response resources

Logistics Section: Major Activities

-Ordering, obtaining, maintaining, and accounting for essential personnel, equipment, and supplies -Providing communication planning and resources -Setting up food services for responders -Setting up and maintaining incident facilities -Providing support transportation -Providing medical services to incident personnel

Planning Section: Major Activities

-Preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans -Managing information and maintaining situational awareness for the incident -Tracking resources assigned to the incident -Maintaining incident documentation -Developing plans for demobilization

Scenario: You are the Operations Section Chief at the Incident Command Post and request that all response communications be conducted using a pre-determined set of frequencies. You also remind everyone in the field to use plain language.What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. A. Common Terminology B. Management by Objectives C. Incident Action Planning D. Integrated Communications E. Unified Command F. Accountability

A & D. In accordance with Common Terminology(A), you have asked that everyone use plain language to promote understanding between all parties. In accordance with Integrated Communications(D), you have developed and implemented a common communications plan by asking that all response communications be conducted using a pre-determined set of frequencies.

Scenario: Due to the complexity of the incident, the Incident Commander has expanded the Operations Section to include an Evacuation Group.What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? A. Modular Organization B. Comprehensive Resource Management C. Establishment and Transfer of Command D. Dispatch/Deployment

A, As the incident grows more complex, the ICS organization may expand as functional responsibilities are delegated. This expansion is part of the Modular Organization Characteristic.

Scenario: You are the City Fire Chief and are evaluating the supervisory structure needed to manage the Incident Command Post staff. You are also identifying senior representatives from the Health Care community and from Public Works to help develop objectives to protect the residents of the nursing home and the critical water resources of the community. Select the three NIMS Management Characteristics you are supporting. A. Incident Facilities and Locations B. Establishment and Transfer of Command C. Unified Command D. Accountability E. Dispatch/Deployment F. Information and Intelligence Management

A, B, & C. In accordance with Incident Facilities and Locations(A), you have requested to establish an Incident Command Post because of the complexity of the incident. In accordance with Establishment and Transfer of Command and as the organization with the primary responsibility for the incident(B), you are clearly establishing command. In accordance with Unified Command(C), you are allowing agencies with different legal, geographic, and functional responsibilities (Health Care and Public Works) to work together effectively without affecting individual agency authority, responsibility, or accountability.

Statement: My section conducts response activities such as search and rescue, and coordinates medical services being provided to disaster survivors. A. Operations Section Chief B. Planning Section Chief C. Logistics Section Chief D. Finance/Administration Section Chief

A, at the incident scene, the Operations Section Chief is the person with the greatest technical and tactical expertise in dealing with the problem at hand, including search & rescue.

Logistics

Arranges for resources and needed services to support achievement of the incident objectives (resources can include personnel, equipment, teams, supplies, and facilities).

Scenario: You are a Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist who normally works at the Public Works Planning office. You are directed to report to the Incident Command Post (ICP) and have been assigned to the Planning Section Chief and will report to the Chief. You will be producing maps to display potential flooding impacts in the city and county. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select the two characteristics that apply. A. Integrated Communications B. Establishment and Transfer of Command C. Chain of Command and Unity of Command D. Accountability E. Dispatch/Deployment F. Information and Intelligence Management

B & F, In accordance with Chain of Command and Unity of Command, you have been assigned a single supervisor, the Planning Section Chief, to whom you will report. In accordance with Information and Intelligence Management, you will be gathering, sharing, and managing incident-related information in the form of maps that display potential flooding impacts.

Scenario: You are the Middle School Principal. You and the Shelter Manager notify the Incident Command Post that several people are complaining of severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. You ask for assistance from medical and public health personnel. You also request additional sanitation supplies, bedding, and bathing materials. The Operations Section Chief is requesting additional assistance from the Emergency Operations Center for a specialized monitoring team to be deployed to the shelter to survey for a possible outbreak. Survey results will be shared with Health and Public Works departments. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. A. Common Terminology B. Modular Organization C. Incident Action Planning D. Integrated Communications E. Unified Command F. Information and Intelligence Management

B & F. In accordance with Modular Organization(B), the Operations Section Chief has asked for a specialized monitoring team, resulting in the expansion of the organization due to the increasing complexity of the incident. In accordance with Information and Intelligence Management(F), the Operations Section Chief has analyzed the information you and the Shelter Manager have shared and has taken action based on this additional information.

Scenario: You are the American Red Cross liaison in the Emergency Operation Center and you print up a list of the location of materials necessary to outfit the shelters. Materials stored in both facilities are adequate to meet the initial needs. Both the College and the Middle School are implementing their respective plans and are establishing necessary staffing to support the shelter requirements.What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? A. Modular Organization B. Comprehensive Resource Management C. Establishment and Transfer of Command D. Dispatch/Deployment

B, At this point, you are identifying requirements, performing inventory, and mobilizing resources. These activities are part of the Comprehensive Resource Management and Coordination Characteristic.

General Staff immediately come together and begin developing strategies. General Staff Chiefs are: Evaluating staffing and supervisory needs in the Incident Command Post. Identifying resource shortfalls. Updating planning documents. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. A. Common Terminology B. Management by Objectives C. Incident Action Planning D. Manageable Span of Control E. Unified Command F. Accountability

B, C, & D. In accordance with Management by Objectives (B), the Command and General Staff begin developing strategies based upon the previous objectives. In accordance with Incident Action Planning(C), the Command and General Staff are updating planning documents to include staffing and resource needs. In accordance with Manageable Span of Control(D), General staff chiefs are evaluating staffing needs in the Incident Command Post to ensure no one supervisor has more personnel than can be managed.

Scenario: You are the President of Lawrence College. You and the American Red Cross Shelter Manager have contacted the Incident Command Post concerning the ability to meet the nutritional and long term pharmaceutical needs of the elderly residents. The Liaison Officer requests assistance from the Emergency Operations Center. What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? A. Modular Organization B. Comprehensive Resource Management C. Establishment and Transfer of Command D. Dispatch/Deployment

B, Comprehensive Resource Management describes standard mechanisms to identify requirements and order and acquire, mobilize, activate, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse for, and inventory resources such as personnel, equipment, teams, and facilities.

To promote accountability, which document outlines the method for coordinating response operations? A. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Doctrine B. Incident Action Plan C. Resource Tracking System D. Responder Personnel Roster

B, Coordination of response operations must be outlined in the Incident Action Plan.

Statement: As the response is underway, my section tracks all personnel participating in the response. A. Operations Section Chief B. Planning Section Chief C. Logistics Section Chief D. Finance/Administration Section Chief

B, The major activities of the Planning Section may include: Preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans, Tracking resources assigned to the incident, Maintaining incident documentation, & Developing plans for demobilization

Throughout the incident and during the after-action review process, the reports that we develop will be very useful. A. Operations Section Chief B. Planning Section Chief C. Logistics Section Chief D. Finance/Administration Section Chief

B, the Planning Section provides valuable information and reports during the incident. In addition, the reports and records help to identify lessons learned during the after-action review process.

Statement: In advance of severe flooding, there is a need to get generators and communications equipment to the Staging Areas to equip advance response teams. It's my responsibility to make sure the needed equipment arrives at the Staging Areas. which general staff position am I? A. Operations Section Chief B. Planning Section Chief C. Logistics Section Chief D. Finance/Administration Section Chief

C, The Logistics Section is responsible for all services and support needs.

Scenario: The Deputy Incident Commander will be replacing the current Incident Commander, who needs to attend to a family emergency. The current Incident Commander should: A. Leave the scene to allow the new Commander to take over B. Write an Incident Action Plan for the new Commander C. Provide a transfer-of-command briefing to the new Commander D. Continue to provide direction to the Deputy Incident Commander while on leave, using teleconferences

C, When command is transferred, the process should include a briefing that captures all essential information for continuing safe and effective operations.

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of an Incident Action Plan (IAP)? A. It specifies incident objectives. B. It states the activities to be completed. C. It identifies needed resources. D. It focuses on previous operational periods in order to provide lessons learned.

D.

Operations

Conducts operations to reach the incident objectives. Establishes tactics and directs all operational resources.

Scenario: As phasedown of shelter operations has begun, the American Red Cross Disaster Operations Supervisor has directed you to begin re-assigning shelter staff personnel and release those that are no longer required. As a supervisor, you direct released staff to checkout. What NIMS Management Characteristics are you supporting? Select all that apply. A. Modular Organization B. Incident Facilities and Locations C. Unified Command D. Chain of Command and Unity of Command E. Accountability F. Information and Intelligence Management

D & E. In accordance with Chain of Command and Unity of Command(D), you are receiving direction from a single supervisor, the American Red Cross Disaster Operations Supervisor. In accordance with Accountability(E), you are managing the resources under your control by re-assigning shelter staff personnel and having them checkout.

I support the incident response activities by overseeing contracting for needed supplies and services that are not already available. A. Operations Section Chief B. Planning Section Chief C. Logistics Section Chief D. Finance/Administration Section Chief

D, The Finance/Administration Section is responsible for: -Contract negotiation and monitoring Timekeeping -Cost analysis -Compensation for injury or damage to property

Scenario: The Operations Section has determined that the Emergency Medical Services, the Fire Department, and the School Bus Company will be assigned to the evacuation of the Nursing Home. They will all converge at City Hall and will be dispatched, as appropriate, to begin the rapid and safe movement of the residents to their temporary shelter locations.What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? A. Modular Organization B. Comprehensive Resource Management C. Establishment and Transfer of Command D. Dispatch/Deployment

D, Resources should be deployed only when requested or when dispatched by an appropriate authority through established resource management systems.

Scenario: You are an American Red Cross Disaster Program Specialist in charge of teams trained to help in sheltering displaced persons. You have been notified by your office to be prepared to deploy to conduct shelter operations. Your supervisor has asked you to come to the office to begin organizing volunteers and get prepared to set up shelters, if tasked. You check in before you begin.What NIMS Management Characteristic are you supporting? A. Modular Organization B. Incident Action Planning C. Establishment and Transfer of Command D. Accountability

D, The Check-In principle is part of the Accountability Characteristic.

Scenario: You are the Middle School Principal. As shelter operations are beginning to phase down, you continue to be concerned about the illness suffered by the residents of your facility, which was confirmed to be a food borne illness from donated food. Since school will resume soon, you want to reassure school staff and parents that there are no residual risks. You request the newly formed Unified Command for a public information broadcast and a representative from the Health Department to share information regarding the illness and be available to answer questions.What NIMS Management Characteristic is being demonstrated? A. Modular Organization B. Comprehensive Resource Management C. Dispatch/Deployment D. Information and Intelligence Management

D. Information and Intelligence Management includes establishing a process for gathering, sharing, and managing incident-related information.

Intelligence/Investigations

Established to collect, analyze, and disseminate incident-related information and intelligence for incidents involving intensive intelligence gathering and investigative activity (such as a criminal or terrorist act, or epidemiological, accident or mass fatality investigation).

(true/false) The Incident Command System (ICS) and NIMS are the same, and these terms can be used interchangeably.

False

(true/false)Chain of command restricts personnel from communicating or sharing information outside their organizational units.

False, Chain of command does NOT prevent personnel from directly communicating with each other to ask for or share information.

(true/false) Span of control refers to the fact that a supervisor can effectively manage an unlimited amount of resources.

False, If too much responsibility is given to the supervisor, the span of control may become unmanageable.

(true/false)Because incident details are often unknown at the start, command should not be established until after the Incident Action Plan has been developed.

False, The command function should be clearly established at the beginning of an incident.

Public Information Officer

Interfaces with the public and media and/or with other agencies with incident-related information requirements.

Statement: I provide briefings to supporting Agency Representatives and work with them to address their questions and concerns about the operation. I remain visible on the incident scene to all incoming cooperating and assisting agencies.

Liaison officer

Finance/Administration

Monitors costs related to the incident. Provides accounting, procurement, time recording, and cost analyses.

Safety Officer

Monitors incident operations and advises the Incident Commander on all matters relating to safety, including the health and safety of incident management personnel.

Statement: "This is Unit 1, we have a 10-37, Code 2." Does this statement comply with the NIMS Management Characteristic of common terminology?

No, The goal of common terminology is to promote understanding among all parties involved in managing an incident. Radio codes, agency-specific codes, acronyms, or jargon should not be used.

Statement: I am the primary contact for anyone who wants details about the incident and our response to it. I serve an external audience through the media and an internal audience including incident staff and agency personnel.

Public information officer

Statement: I work very closely with Operations to make sure that our people in the field are wearing appropriate protective equipment and implementing safe tactical options. which member of the command staff am I?

Safety Officer

Liaison Officer

Serves as the Incident Commander's point of contact for representatives of governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private-sector organizations.

Joint information center

Serves as the central point of contact for all news media—when possible, public information officials from all participating agencies should co-locate at the JIC

Incident command

Sets the incident objectives, strategies, and priorities, and has overall responsibility for the incident.

Incident Command Definition

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) defines command as the act of directing, ordering, or controlling by virtue of explicit statutory, regulatory, or delegated authority.

(true/false) ICS could be used to manage a large sporting event or a visit from a foreign dignitary.

True

(true/false) ICS is a standardized, on-scene, widely applicable approach to incident management.

True

(true/false)In part, comprehensive resource management describes standard mechanisms used to identify requirements and acquire, mobilize, track, and demobilize resources.

True, Comprehensive resource management describes standard mechanisms to identify requirements and order and acquire, mobilize, activate, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse for, and inventory resources such as personnel, equipment, teams, and facilities.

(true/false)Integrated communications are necessary to achieve situational awareness.

True, Integrated communications are necessary to maintain connectivity, achieve situational awareness, and facilitate information sharing.