Incident Command
Kent County Chiefs Association
Standard Operating Guidelines &
Standard Operating Procedures
Subject: Incident Command
SOG # 1-15
Approved
July 2020
Approved by: President Dan Menchy
Revised
I. POLICY:
The Kent County Chiefs Association adopted NIMS and ICS Procedures and this Policy and Guideline will standardize the key components and terminology required during all hazard multi-unit responses.
II. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:
To establish a standardized guideline for departments within Kent County to conduct command functions and components in compliance with NIMS. All Kent County Fire Company’s or Departments will follow this policy and guideline for all hazard incidents involving a Structure Response or any incident the Commander deems necessary. Definitions of terms utilized in this Policy/Guideline are included in Attachment F. There are 4 attachments included – A: ICS Command Checklist; B: Building Layout designations; C: Dispatch Incident Check List; D: Sample Commander Progress Report; E – Regional Cover Up Policy: F – Definitions
III. GUIDELINE:
1. Command Assignment – RE: Attachment A
1.1. The first fire company or department member or unit to arrive at the scene not involved
in task duties shall assume Command of the incident.
1.2. Command shall be designated by utilizing the District Company name (Millington
Command) or Company or Department Number (Command 3) or utilize the common
Place name (Kent Plaza Command), or the geographic location of the incident (Rock
Hall Ave. Command).
1.3. The initial Incident Commander shall remain in Command until Command is transferred
via radio announcement, or the incident is stabilized and terminated. A checklist is
provided in Attachment A.
1.4. An initial risk assessment will be performed and assessed to determine the mode of
operations – OFFENSIVE, DEFENSIVE, INVESTIGATING.
1.5. All unit officers’ will utilize their unit officer designation (Engine 4 Officer) until
designated as a branch/functional group/division position via Command. If a Chief
Officer has a designation (IE – Deputy Chief 5), they will utilize the unit officer
designation if they are riding the officer seat of that apparatus.
1.6. All incoming units will be assigned based on pre-arrival assignments and/ or by the IC,
and will report to the respective Division/Group Officer and maintain accountability
through that Command structure. IC will announce via radio the assignment of specific
functions, IE – “Assistant Chief 6 is assigned as Division 1”.
1.7. The initial unit arriving may need to pass command in order to achieve task duties. The
second arriving engine officer shall take Command until the arrival of a Command
Officer, or if no Command Officer is available.
1.8. The transfer of command shall normally take place after a face/face conversation, and the
officer being relieved should relay the following: Incident Conditions; Incident Action
Plan; Progress; Safety Items; Resources assigned; Needs for additional resources. The
Officer assuming Command shall announce via radio to Fireboard the transfer of
command upon completion of the briefing.
1.9. Termination of Command – Command shall be in effect until the release of all units.
Command may be relinquished to subordinates with the appropriate transfer procedures
as the situation is scaled down.
2. Initial Size Up/On Scene Reports
2.1. Initial unit will provide a size up and on scene report consisting of the address; the
number of floors; the type of structure; conditions upon arrival; initial actions and mode
of operation, if different. Example – Engine 7-2 on scene 123 Main Street, a 2 story
single family dwelling with smoke showing from Alpha side first story windows. Laying
out from hydrant at Main and Maple for an Offensive attack.
2.2. The Alpha Side of the structure shall be designated by a radio announcement if the
structure layout dictates, for example, if the Alpha Side is not the address side of the
structure or is a business/multi-family residential structure. Guides are provided in
Attachment B.
2.3. Command shall ensure that a Side Charlie Report, or a 360-degree report is completed.
This report shall include the visible fire/smoke conditions, the number of floors, the
appearance or absence of a basement, and the location of the basement access, if present.
2.4. The CAN Designation will be utilized to encompass the Division progress reports.
Conditions, Actions, Needs, – Describes the current conditions being presented, the
actions that the crew/unit/division is undertaking, and the resources or requests to the
Incident Commander for additional support.
3. Structure Designation/Exposures/Floor ID/Building Labeling – RE: Attachment B
3.1. Sides of the structure will begin with the address side being Alpha) unless designated per
Command or preplanning due to complex layout or a rail car, and work in a clockwise
direction with Bravo, the left side of the building when facing Side Alpha; Charlie, the
opposite side of Side Alpha, or rear of the building; and Delta, the right side of the
building when facing Side Alpha.
3.2. Divisions shall be designated by geographical areas per below and Attachment B.
3.3. Identification of attached exposures will utilize the designations of B1, B2, B3, B4; D1,
D2, D3, D4, etc. per the diagram in Attachment B. Identification of detached exposures
will also utilize B1, B2, etc. and Command shall announce whether exposures are
attached or not attached.
3.4. Floor Identification will follow the standard format of the Grade Level floor of the Alpha
side being designated as Division 1, with the additional stories following sequential
designation as Division 2, 3, etc. and Attic, then Roof; Floors below grade will be
deemed as Basement, Subbasement 1, Subbasement 2, etc.; or as deemed by the Incident
Commander if there is a complex flooring layout provided by the Side Charlie report
or per pre-planning.
3.5. Groups shall be designated for functional assignments, IE – Ventilation, Search and
rescue, Extrication, EMS, Rehab, Hazmat, De-con, Triage, Treatment, Transport, etc.
3.6. Split Level designation – Homes that are split level, for example, those that have a garage
and living space at ground level, this level will be referred to as Division 1; and
bedrooms on 2nd story will be Division 2; and dining/kitchen and living areas on the Split
Level, or between the two floors, will be referred to as the Split-Level Division. See
Attachment B.
4. Communications
4.1. All communications by responding company’s or departments/agencies are to be
channeled through Command unless otherwise designated by Command
4.2. The report of smoke and/or fire showing by an on-scene fire, ems, or police unit, consider
the Working Fire Dispatch or Additional Alarms or Task Force or Strike Teams.
4.3. Working Fire Dispatch or Additional Alarms or Task Force or Strike Teams
Working Fire Dispatch – 2 Engine, 1 Tanker (non-hydrant area), 1 Rescue (with cascade system), 1 Ambulance and 1 County Paramedic
Each Alarm will consist of 4 Engines, 3 Tankers (non-hydrant area), 2 Trucks, 1 Rescue, 1 Ambulance and 1 County Paramedic (if available)
Ambulance Strike Team – 5 Ambulances
Brush Strike Team – 5 Brush Trucks
Brush Task Force – 3 Brush Trucks, 1 Engine, 1 Tanker
Engine Strike Team – 5 Engines
Tanker Strike Team – 5 Tankers
Tanker Task Force – 4 Tankers and 1 Engine
RIT Task Force – 1 Engine, 1 Rescue, 1 Ambulance
4.4. The terms that will be utilized to designate structure types are as follows: Single Family
Dwelling – single and separate residential dwelling; For Multi-Family Dwellings – Use
the following: Townhouse, Row house, Apartment Building with enclosed or open
stairway, and attached/unattached exposures. Do not utilize the term “Garden Style
Apartments” as this term has multiple meanings to describe the layout of the buildings
and the layout of the 1st Floor Apartments.
4.5. Fire Marshall, and Utilities are not automatic by dispatch; therefore, those requests have
to be communicated to Kent with the specific agency name and priority level. Also See
4.8 for 10-minute mark prompt.
4.6. Staging units that are not immediately needed at the incident or add 1 Staging is one
block away or the closest hydrant, and Level 2 Staging is a pre-designated parking area or
a large parking area for multiple resources that is typically not in the line of sight of the
incident. The first unit Officer in Staging shall assume Staging Area Manager. “Engine
2 Officer to Command, I am assuming Staging”
4.7. Incident Commander Progress reports: At the 10-minute mark an Operational mode
assessment will be provided via radio announcement. At the 20-minute interval there will
be a progress report and accountability check, as same at 40- and 60-minute mark. See
Attachment D - Sample progress report attachment.
4.8. Using the Dispatch Incident Check List, see Attachment C, at 8 to 10 minutes into the
emergency, Kent shall contact 1st Due District apparatus responding or the Incident
Commander they are __ minutes into your alarm, advise them what is responding, if the
box is complete or what apparatus has not made the responded and what their staffing is.
At 10 minutes from first unit arrival, Kent shall contact the Incident Commander and
advise them they are __ minutes into your alarm and state – “Are you ready for a
resource listing (or rundown)?” The Incident Commander may reply with “Standby”.
“Not needed”, or “Go ahead, ready to copy”. When the IC is ready, Kent will then
provide the listing of On Scene Units, followed by Units that are En-route to the incident,
advise the staffing, ask if they need utilities companies (electric, gas, etc.), ask if they
need the State Fire Marshal. At 20 minutes from dispatch, Kent Shall contact the
Incident Commander and ask if they would like regional cover ups (see
Attachment E), ask it the need state or county roads for road closures and ask if they need
MSP or County Sheriff’s Department. At 20 minutes from first unit arrival, Kent shall
contact the Incident Commander and advise them they are 20 minutes for the first unit
arrival and its time for the first 20-minute PAR Check
4.9. Accountability – The definition per our current operating policy is that Level 1 is that the
tags remain with the unit as collected by the Officer of the unit. Level 2 is that the tags
are brought to the Incident Command Post and an Accountability Board is established.
IV. Attachments:
A – Command Checklist (courtesy of Loflin)
B – Building Layout Designations
C – Kent Dispatch Incident Check List
D – Sample Progress Report
E – Regional Cover Up Policy
F - Definitions
Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
Chief Daniel Menchey
Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
Chief John Darling
Community Volunteer Fire Company of Millington, Inc.
Chief Richard McIntyre
Galena Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
Chief Christopher A. Powell
Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
Chief James L. Price, Jr.
Kent & Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad, Inc.
Chief Allan Schauber
Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
Chief Troy White
Kent County Emergency Service Board
Chair Charlene Perry
ATTACHMENT A:
INCIDENT COMMANDER’S CHECKLIST
INITIAL SIZE-UP (ANNOUNCE STRATEGY)
∙ Nothing showing/investigating.
∙ Offensive: fire location and attack mode.
–Support sprinkler/standpipe system.
–Pre incident plan.
–Size-up: brief description of situation; declaration of strategy; visual safety concerns.
additional resources needed.
–Announce command by street, building, or landmark on dispatch and tactical channels.
∙ Marginal: based on risk assessment and life hazard.
∙ Defensive: personnel accountability report and safety zone.
∙ FIRST 10 MINUTES
–Description of structure (height, width, floors, construction).
–Mode and what are in operation (hose lines, ventilation, search and rescue).
INITIAL RISK ASSESSMENT
∙ Risk a lot.
∙ Risk a little.
∙ Risk nothing.
COMMAND STRUCTURE
∙ Strategic level: overall direction of the incident.
∙ Tactical level: assign operational objectives.
∙ Task level: specific assignments for companies.
INCIDENT ACTION PLAN (IAP)
∙ Offensive:
–initial rapid intervention crew.
–rapid intervention crew.
INCIDENT ACTION PLAN (IAP) (cont.)
∙ Water Supply: always.
∙ A line/lines above the fire: always.
∙ Check the attic: always (horizontal or vertical extension).
∙ Ventilation.
∙ RIC: at least four to six with an officer, multiple RICS form rescue group.
∙ Primary search, secondary search, fire control.
∙ Communications.
∙ Benchmarks: continuous risk assessment and personnel accountability report at least every 10
minutes.
∙ Consider defensive after 20 minutes, if no progress.
STANDARD GEOGRAPHIC AND FUNCTIONAL DESIGNATIONS
∙ Sides: A (facing command), B, C, D.
∙ Exposures: properties that are threatened.
∙ Divisions: operations in a defined geographical area, such as roof, interior (e.g., Roof
Division, Interior Division, Division B, Division 6).
∙ Groups: organizational level responsible for functional assignments, (e.g., ventilation, search
and rescue, extrication, medical).
SAFETY
∙ Protective clothing and equipment.
∙ Personnel accountability report.
∙ Continuous risk management.
∙ Rapid intervention crews.
INCIDENT ACTION PLAN (IAP) (cont.)
∙ Safety zones.
∙ Rehab.
ELAPSED TIME (MINUTES)
10-minute increments up to 100 and 20-minute increments thereafter. This is a reminder to provide a report every 10 minutes to dispatch and to remember the personnel accountability report. (IE – 10-minute timer)
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 120 140 160 ...
Reference: MURREY E. LOFLIN has been a member of the fire service since 1979, having served with the Beckley (WV) Fire Department and the Virginia Beach (VA) Fire Department, where he served from 1983 to 2006 as a firefighter/EMT, a health and safety officer, a captain, a company officer, and a battalion chief. Loflin is the director of fire training for West Virginia and the director of the State Fire Academy in Weston, West Virginia
ATTACHMENT C:
KENT DISPTACH INCIDENT CHECK LIST
8 to 10 MINUTES INTO THE EMERGENCY
Advise Command that they are ____ minutes into your alarm.
Advise Command if the box is complete or what apparatus has not made the response
Advise Command what the staffing is.
10 MINUTES FROM THE FIRST UNIT ARRIVAL ON SCENE
Advise Command that they are ____ minutes into your alarm
Advise Command if the box is complete or what apparatus has not made the response
Advise Command what the staffing is.
Ask Command if they need the electric company.
Ask Command if they need the State Fire Marshall.
20 MINUTES INTO THE EMERGENCY
Ask Command if they would like regional cover ups
Ask Command if they need state or county roads for road closures.
Ask Command if they need MDE (Haz-Mat incidents)
Ask Command if they need MSP of Sheriff Department.
20 MINUTES FROM THE FIRST UNIT ARRIVAL ON SCENE
Advise Command that they are 20 minutes from the first unit arrival
Advise Command of 20-minute PAR Check
USEFUL INFORMATION
Notify Command of any forthcoming weather problems.
Contact another source of medic evacuation If MSP is not available.
Contact next due ALS if Kent County is not available.
Ask Command if he/she wants the MASS CASUALTY PLAN implemented if four of more patients are reported.
ATTACHMENT D:
TWENTY MINUTE PROGRESS REPORT
________________ Command to Kent
At ________________ _____ _____(address)
We are using _____________(all units, 2 & 1, 1st alarm)
For (fire, smoke, investigation) on the #_________ floor of a
____- Story, ____________(building type/occupancy)
Primary search is ______________(in progress/negative)
We have ______ lines in service and
_________________ (Horizontal/vertical) ventilation is underway.
The fire situation is _________(advancing/doubtful/under control)
Exposure A is ______________ (Street, occupied/vacant, similar)
Exposure B is _________________ (Occupied / Lot / similar)
Exposure C is ________ (rear yard, parking lot, one-story garage)
Exposure D is ___________ (Side lot, similar, attached structure)
PAR Check is ______________(underway, complete with results)
We will be holding units for ________________ (estimated time).
ATTACHMENT E:
REGIONAL COVER UP POLICY
When a cover up is required for single station department, Kent will automatically dispatch what the officer from that company or department request.
When a cover up is required for a multi-stationed department, Kent will automatically dispatch an Engine or Rescue Engine or Squad to the district main station, a Ladder or Tower or Quint to a secondary district station and a Tanker or Engine Tanker will be dispatched and assigned to a separate department at the discretion of the Dispatch Supervisor.
These units will be available and expected to respond on alarms in all surrounding districts as well as the home district as appropriate for the response, thus eliminating each station who responded to the alarm to have a cover assignment.
A station will not be provided a cover assignment when no units have responded from that station.
Kent will advise any unit requesting a cover assignment for their station that the “Cover Assignment Policy” has been implemented
ATTACHMENT F:
DEFINITIONS
Accountability - The current status of all Firefighters and Officers location and tasks while
operating on scene of any one incident
ALS – Advanced Life Support Unit
Back-up line - A secondary hose line used to back up primary hose line with equal or greater
GPM
Basement/Cellar - A basement or cellar is one or more floors of a building that are either
completely or partially below the ground floor.
BLS – Basic Life Support Ambulance
Command - A single qualified Firefighter and/or Officer assuming responsibility of the overall
operation at any single incident.
Command Post – Any assigned area or pre-designated unit as location of Command and
Support Staff.
Commercial Structure– A non-residential structure designated and utilized as a business,
storage or office.
Division/Group Supervisor - reports to the Operations Section Chief (OPS) (or Incident
Commander). The Supervisor is responsible for the
implementation of the assigned portion of the Incident Action Plan
(IAP), assignment of resources within the Division/Group, and
reporting on the progress of control operations and status of
resources within the Division/Group location.
Due - The sequence status of a unit arriving on scene of any one incident.
EMS – Emergency Medical Services
Engine - An Engine or Rescue Engine or Engine Tanker or Squad or Quint capable of, and
designated for fire suppression and/or water supply, equipped with adequate pump,
hose, & SCBA Firefighters
Evacuation – The mandatory physical removal of all occupants and/or manpower from a
building or area as determined by command.
ATTACHMENT F:
DEFINITIONS (cont.)
Forward Lay – The act of deploying supply line from the hydrant to the 1st due engine.
Head to Head - The act of the 1st due engine stopping short of the fire building when the ladder
is expected from the opposite direction, in which case the 1st due engine and
ladder will be front bumper to front bumper or “head to head”.
High Rise - Any structure taller than the fire departments tallest ladder.
Laying a Line – The act of deploying a supply line from an engine to or from a hydrant.
Multi Family Dwelling (MFD) - A residential dwelling designed for multiple families under
one roof
Obvious Rescues – Any visible person in immediate danger of injury or death.
On-Deck Staging - is the forward positioning of the crew of a unit, located just outside the
immediate hazard zone and safely distanced from the entrance of a tactical
position. On-deck crews are "ready for duty and next in turn", and their
readiness and immediate availability is critical to being able to provide
quick relief and facilitating effective air management strategy for interior
crews. The most likely assignments given to on-deck companies are to
provide immediate relief for crews operating in the hazard zone, to reinforce
crews operating within the hazard zone, to reinforce a deployment of the
designated Rapid Intervention Crew, or for a new assignment within the
hazard zone. On-Deck crews will be supervised either by a division or group
supervisor (if assigned) or their company officer. Once assigned, crews shall
remain on-deck until given another assignment by their supervisor or IC.
Own hydrant - Term used to identify that an arriving Engine is no more than 50 feet from
hydrant and will direct connect to hydrant.
Primary Line – An initial hose line of adequate GPM deployed for direct fire suppression.
Primary Search – A mandatory initial search for all possible non-visible victims that can be
removed before life threatening conditions may occur. It takes place quickly.
RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) – A crew with equipment dedicated solely to search and
rescue of other firefighters in distress.
ATTACHMENT F:
DEFINITIONS (cont.)
Regional Cover Up - Policy to take a regional approach to providing cover assignments, moving
an Engine or Rescue Engine or Squad and Ladder or Tower or Quint, and
Tanker or Engine Tanker with multiple units committed at an incident.
Rehab – The act and/or designated area for Firefighter re-hydration and/or medical evaluation.
Reverse Lay – The act of deploying supply line from the 1st due engine or fire scene back to
hydrant.
Special Service - A Rescue or Rescue Engine or Squad or Ladder or Tower or Quint designated
to support the Engines and perform Ventilation, Force entry and searching
laddering and other support activities. This unit is equipped with adequate
tools, ladders, and SCBA Firefighters
Safety Officer - Any single qualified Firefighter and /or Officer pre-designated or assigned by
Command to oversee and enforce overall safety of Firefighters, Officers, and
Civilians on or near any one incident.
Secondary Line - A secondary hose line used as an additional line for fire load and/or extension
control with equal or greater GPM of the primary line to either work with
primary line or directed to another location
Secondary Search – A mandatory follow up search that is deliberate and slow to make sure all
victims have been found. This is done when the fire is controlled.
Secondary Water Supply – A determined auxiliary hydrant or water source other than the
initial establish supply.
Single Family Dwelling (SFD) – A residential dwelling designed for one family under one roof.
Size Up - An initial evaluation and report of pre-existing and developing factors which may
affect initial and continued tactics and safety.
Split Foyer (SFD) - The split foyer-style house, a stalwart of 1970s design, typically features a
front entryway that is between floors and faces a short staircase leading up
to a main living level and another going down to a finished lower level that
has plenty of natural light.
ATTACHMENT F:
DEFINITIONS (cont.)
Split Lay – The act of the 1st due engine laying in at a specified location absent of a hydrant
with the 2nd due engine completing the lay from the specified point to the hydrant.
Split Level (SFD) - Single family dwelling that are split level, for example, those that have a
garage and living space at ground level, this level will be referred to as
Division 1; and bedrooms on 2nd story will be Division 2; and dining/kitchen
and living areas on the Split Level, or between the two floors, will be
referred to as the Split-Level Division. See Attachment B.
Staging – The act of units and/or manpower standing by for assignment from Command or as a
pool of resources.
Strike Team - Multiple units, often five in number, of the same resource category that have an
assigned strike team leader.
Supply Line – A 3” or larger diameter hose utilized to feed water to an operating engine or
aerial from a hydrant or other engine.
Support Staff - Any designated Firefighters and /or Officers utilized to assist Command with
overall operations tasks at any one incident.
Tanker – A Tanker or Engine Tanker designated to supply the scene with water or shuttle water to the scene.
Task Force – Any combination of single resource, but typically two to five, assembled to meet a
specific tactical need.
Townhouse - is defined as a house attached to any number of other townhouses (three or more),
each of which may have multiple floors, commonly side by side each with their
own separate entrances.
Upgrade - Conditions of smoke or fire are reported, that the dispatch will consist of ALS, BLS,
RIT and Fire Marshal.
Unit – Any single Fire or EMS vehicle.
Unit Officer - A single qualified Firefighter and/or Officer assuming full crew responsibility of
any one unit
*Additional hand lines that are used as primary attack lines will be labeled as such and back up lines etc. i.e. 2nd hand line, 3rd attack line etc.