1 IMS Chapter J1-4 Unified Command: Unit 4 Presented by Zone 3 Training Officers “The people that make it happen”

2 IMS Chapter J1-4 Lesson Objectives The student will be able to identify command procedures to include: n When to use a single command n When to use a unified command

3 IMS Chapter J1-4 Preparation

4 IMS Chapter J1-4 Lesson Overview n Command—single and unified n Single command—incident commander n Unified command—incident commander n Single/unified command difference n Summary

5 IMS Chapter J1-4 Command—Single and Unified The incident management system may be conducted in two general ways: n Single command n Unified command

6 IMS Chapter J1-4 Single Command— Incident Commander n Within a jurisdiction in which an incident occurs and when there is no overlap of jurisdictional boundaries involved.

7 IMS Chapter J1-4 Single Command— Incident Commander (Continued) Strategy + Objectives = Action plan

8 IMS Chapter J1-4 n Single incident command structure Single Command— Incident Commander (Continued) Fire attack E-1 VentSearch L-1E-2 E-1 Officer Incident Commander objectives

9 IMS Chapter J1-4 n A unified command structure may be called under the following conditions: Single jurisdiction with more than one department or agency sharing management responsibility. The incident is multi-jurisdictional in nature, i.e., a major flood. Unified Command— Incident Commander

10 IMS Chapter J1-4 Unified Command Structure Multi-department Fire Department FAA Department Forest Service (Same jurisdiction) Objectives Unified Command— Incident Commander (Continued) (Functional Areas) Command Staff Operations

11 IMS Chapter J1-4 Unified Command Structure Multi-jurisdictional Agency A Agency B Agency C (Different jurisdictions) Objectives Command Staff Unified Command— Incident Commander (Continued) (Functional Areas) A B C Operations Section Chief

12 IMS Chapter J1-4 Single/Unified Command Differences In a Single Command structure, the IC is responsible to: n Establish strategies n Determine objectives n Establish overall management plan associated with the incident

13 IMS Chapter J1-4 Single/Unified Command Differences (Continued) In a Unified Command structure, the individuals designated by their jurisdictions, or departments within a single jurisdiction, must jointly determine: n Strategy n Objectives n Priorities and the overall management structure needed

14 IMS Chapter J1-4 Single/Unified Command Differences (Continued) As in a Single Command structure, the Operations Section Chief has the responsibility for implementation of the plan.

15 IMS Chapter J1-4 Single/Unified Command Differences (Continued) The Unified Command determines which agency or department representative will be the Operations Section Chief. The decision may be based upon the agency with the: n Greatest jurisdictional involvement n Number of resources involved n Existing statutory authority The decision may also be based on mutual knowledge of the individual’s qualifications.

16 IMS Chapter J1-4 Summary We have discussed— n IMS as it relates to structural fire fighting. n Command procedures with an overview of the roles and responsibilities of command. n The small incident where the IC retains all functions of command. n The large incident which expands and implements divisions, branches, operations, logistics, planning, and finance. n Single and unified command.

17 IMS Chapter J1-4 Summary (Continued) n The IMS is a system designed to manage the resources you need to mitigate the incident. n It can be used on the simple, single resource alarm, as well as a large, multiple alarm incident. n It is a tool box of tools for the IC to use in managing the incident. n Use part of the system, or use it all, to let the incident dictate how far out you expand the system.