“FIREGROUND COMMAND: THE “”STICK”” METHOD”

FIREGROUND COMMAND:

THE “STICK” METHOD

Over the past decade, the incident command system has been idolized, theorized, and patronized by the fire service. Idolization has spawned the following new buzzwords, which have become standard terminology for components of the fireground command structure: incident commander, staging, liaison, and public information officer (PIO). Successful fire officers have come to use command variations to accomplish their goals. They have accepted the fact that they must delegate many tasks to achieve their mission.

ICS has been successfully theorized in books such as those by Chief Alan V. Brunacini, the National Fire Academy, and Fire Protection Publications, as well as in articles appearing in fire service publications.

It has been patronized by commanders who operate by the “seat of their pants.” Their continual nontactical approach on the fireground causes misinterpretation, hostility, and disorder—which result in time lost, severe property damage, and injuries or deaths. Freelancing by companies on the fireground is a prime example of command breakdown. The most frightening aspect of patronizing ICS is that the commander is more vulnerable, as he is left to address complex fireground issues by himself

Photo by Bill Hillermeier.

At every fireground operation, the only function filled is command. Since the traditional command structure is only as good as the commander, practical and functional ICS aspects must be used for each incident Rapid evaluations related to the incident must be made minute to minute. A Standard /ncident Command Kit (STICK) can assist in the mental process of establishing ICS protocol.

STICK is the product of a project begun in 1989 by the East Bergen (NJ) Firefighters Mutual Aid Association. At that time, the Association formed a committee to study the procedure for implementing an incident command system. Committee members used as reference materials Incident Command Systems, published by Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma; FIRE COMMAND, by Alan V. Brunacini; the Incident Command System and Commanding the Initial Response, published by the National Fire Academy; and Do’s and Don ‘ts of Media Relations, published by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The committee’s objective was to condense into outline form the five major ICS functions—command, operation, planning, logistics, and finance—so that the information could be made into 8½- x 11-inch information cards (using the front and back).

The pages then were laminated in clear, rigid plastic and bound by a large key ring. This STICK kit is now available for command use. The chief’s vehicle has a STICK kit, and the Special Operations/Communication Unit has STICK cards for each discipline. A fire officer assigned the tasks of staging manager can flip to the appropriate STICK card for a readily available guideline for the staging chore. The system provides inexperienced and experienced fire officers with pertinent information pertaining to ICS functions. The officers then can apply the basics of their fire department SOPs and preplan to mitigate the incident.

A STICK kit consists of the following components:

• COMMAND

Safety

Liaison/Agency

Public Information Officer

• OPERATION

Staging

• PLANNING CHIEFS (2)
• LOGISTICS CHIEF

Communication

• FINANCE CHIEF

Contents of the STICK cards are presented below.

I. COMMAND

The incident commander is the overall command at the scene throughout the duration. The IC shall be responsible for the overall coordination and direction of all activities at the incident scene.

• Establish command.
• Make assignments of staff based on the needs of each particular incident.
• As incident increases in size and complexity, expand the command structure to maintain effective levels of supervision and span of control.
• Approve and authorize all requests for plans, additional resources, information release, and demobilization planning, etc.
• Utilize standard terminology for communications and fireground.
• Assign duties and responsibilities to individuals, which also shall include the delegation of authority necessary’ to accomplish the assignments.
• Determine the overall strategy for the incident and communicate this strategy to all supervisory levels of the incident management structure.

LA) Safety Officer

Identify hazardous situations concerning incident:

• Observe fireground and ensure that safety regulations such as turnout gear use and safer operational procedures are being followed.
• The safety officer reserves the authority to take immediate action to correct any unsafe procedure or potential hazards. Under this authority, the safety officer could issue orders that cause a change in the incident strategy or tactics. The safety officer shall promptly notify the incident commander upon exercising this authority.

• Obtain briefing from incident commander.
• Provide a point of contact for assisting/cooperating with outside agency representative.
• Identify agency representative from each agency including communications link and location.
• Respond to requests from incident personnel for interorganizational contacts.
• Monitor incident operations to identify current or potential interorganizational contacts.

1B2) Agency Representative Checklist•*

Each agency representative receives an informational IC checklist:

• Check in at the incident command post.
• Obtain briefing from liaison officer or incident commander.
• Establish working location as assigned by command.
• Attend planning meetings as required.
• Provide input on use of agency resources if no resources technical specialist is assigned.
• Cooperate fully with incident commander and general staff on agency’s involvement at the incident.
• Oversee the well-being and safety of agency personnel assigned to incident.
• Advise liaison officer of any agency needs or requirements.

Each outside agency receives this information page as it arrives at the incident.

IC) Public Information Officer (PIO)

The public information officer is responsible for interface with the media and other appropriate agencies. The PIO should discuss the facts of the incident: “what is known at this point,” the plan to control the incident, and the general situation with the incident commander prior to briefing the media.

Establish a Press Area Away from Command

Establish safe areas and off-limits areas for press personnel. Arrange for media to interview incident commander at appropriate time and place.

Basic Do’s and Don’ts of Media Relations

DO:

• Remain as calm as possible when talking to the media.
• Get your important information out first.
• Before a crisis occurs, tell the media who is the best source of information.
• Be aware of media deadlines.
• Monitor news coverage of the event and bring inaccuracies to the media’s attention.
• Express thanks to the community, employees, and anyone who helped during the crisis.
• DONT:
• Speculate—release only confirmed facts.
• Attempt to place blame.
• Release specific personal information about employees or others involved in the crisis. Respect their right to privacy.
• Try to mislead or cover up facts. Never lie!
• Become defensive on the air.
• Make “off-the-record” statements.
• Repeat negative or inflammatory remarks used by a reporter. They might end up as part of your quote.
• Release or mention the names of injured or deceased victims (civilian or fire service).

II. OPERATIONS CHIEF

Assist incident commander in the development of strategy, tactics, and the overall action plan for the incident:

• Direct and coordinate all tactical operations at an incident.
• Determine the need for and request additional resources.
• Supervise staging area officer.
• Supervise water supply officer.

III. PLANNING CHIEF

The planning chief is responsible for information about current incident status and resources. Also evaluates the need for and obtains additional resources to meet anticipated operational changes.

Assist the Incident Commander

• Obtain briefing from incident commander to develop effective plan based on anticipated needs.
• Modify incident plan to meet changing needs.
• Anticipate the need for additional resources (technical specialist, environmental protection, etc ).
• Provide periodic predictions on incident potential.
• Prepare alternate options based on incident potential.
• Establish weather data collection system if necessary.
• Compile and maintain incident status board.
• Ensure that normal agency information collection and reporting requirements are being met.
• Prepare recommendations for release of resources (to be submitted to incident commander).

Based on the size and complexity of the incident, the planning chief may implement subunits.

Situation Status Unit is responsible for the analysis of the incident as it progresses. It should be staffed with a minimum of two people who will periodically survey the entire incident scene and operations. This unit is responsible for evaluating

What has happened

What is currently happening

What is likely to happen

Technical Specialist Unit is for persons with relevant special skills or knowledge that may be applied to support incident operations. Such personnel can be

Water Supply

Haz Mat

EMS

County Fire Coordinator

Dept. of Public Works

Police

Building Engineer

Environmental/Health

Fire Behavior

Training

Resources Utilization

Demobilization Unit is responsible for releasing or replacing resources committed to an incident:

• Determine release order.
• Notify personnel/units of pending release.
• Provide resources ready for release with check-out form and orders to report to Documentation Unit.

Documentation Unit keeps documents relative to the incident:

• Check incoming units into the operation.
• Check out all released units.
• Prepare a list of lost and damaged equipment.
• Prepare a roster of all personnel at the scene for personnel accountability.
• Prepare a roster of all equipment and resources at the scene.

Planning Section Personnel Assignments

Planning Chief_

Situation Unit Leader _

Field Surveyors _

Technical Specialists

Water Supply_

Haz Mat_

EMS _

County/State Fire Coordinator _

Dept, of Public Works_

Police_

Building Engineer _

Environmental/Health_

Fire Behavior_

Training_

Resource Utilization –

Demobilization Leader

Recorder -Recorder _Recorder-

Documentation Leader

Recorder_Recorder_Recorder-

IV. LOGISTICS CHIEF

The logistics chief is responsible for providing the services, materials, and facilities for the incident:

• Service Branch is responsible for fixed facilities and food for fire personnel during long-term operations.
• Support Branch is responsible for providing the personnel, equipment, and supplies to support the incident. Supply equipment as required, i.e., SCBA, specialized equipment, fuel, and severe weather conditions.
• Communication Unit develops the incident communication plan, distributes communication equipment, and supervises the communication networks.
• Medical Unit is responsible for providing emergency medical treatment of fire and emergency personnel.
• Requests operations chief to designate ambulance for fire personnel.

V. FINANCE CHIEF*

Responsible for tracking all incident costs and evaluating the financial considerations of the incident.

• Time Unit: Maintains timekeeping records required for personnel working at the incident.
• Procurement Unit: Manages functions for goods and services from vendors.
• Compensation!Claim Unit. Is responsible for recordkeeping and financial concerns resulting from injuries or fatalities at incident.
• Cost Unit: Functions include tracking cost, analyzing data, making cost estimates, and recommending costsaving measures.

* Activate financial section when private-sector resources are used or for incidents in which the fire department and/or agencies seek reimbursement.

Scene Plot Maps

On the reverse side of Incident Command, Safety, Liaison, Agency Representative, Operations, Staging, Planning and Finance, two scene plot maps are used by personnel to outline the incident. One plot map is a hazmat incident. This map shows the command post/staging area upwind of incident, control entry points, decon zone hot and warm zones, and safety areas. The other plot map shows the fireground for a structure fire. This map exhibits exposures and sectors areas 1 through 4. A floor plot may be added for high-rise structures. These maps provide personnel with reference points so they may sketch the fireground.

STICK consolidates the basic command values into a simple format that helps officers use ICS to successfully mitigate an incident. New York City’s Assistant Fire Chief James Murtagh notes: “The key thing to good control is having everyone know the system and the equipment they’re using.” ICS training, departmental SOPs, and preplanning play important roles in extending the basic and traditional fireground system of the fire service. “Getting on the STICK” does not replace the basic fireground command structure, but it enhances the performance and accountability of command *