Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Unit 5:

Command and Support Structure of a State Mobilization

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Unit Objectives

Define “span of control” during a state mobilization incident.

Identify immediate supervisors. Demonstrate an understanding of

basic ICS. Explain whose orders a responder

must follow.

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Incident Management Teams The State Fire Marshal will assign an

appropriate level of incident management for each mobilization incident. State Mobilization may be under the command of a:o Type 3 IMTo Type 2 IMTo Type 1 IMTo Unified Command, local Incident

Commander with a Type 1-4 Incident Commander.

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Incident Command System (ICS) The State of Washington has

adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and will use the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage all incidents involving State Mobilization resources.

All responding fire service resources should be trained to a minimum of ICS 100 level.

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Incident Command System (ICS) This section is not intended to

provide a comprehensive review of ICS and assumes responder familiarity with the system.

The following section is provided to familiarize the responder with the various ICS positions they are likely to interface with during a mobilization incident.

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Chain of Command

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Communication Flow

SEngine Boss

S

S

Division/Group Supervisor

SEngine Boss SEngine Boss SEngine Boss

Firefighters Firefighters Firefighters Firefighters

Strike Team/Task Force Leader

Unity of Command:Each subordinate has only one Supervisor

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Span of Control ICS Span of Control for any

supervisor is considered 3 to 7 subordinates.

Optimally does not exceed 5 subordinates.

To maintain span of control, responders are organized into Strike Teams and Task Forces, each with a leader and common communications.

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Command Staff (1 of 2)Incident Commander Responsible for all aspects of the

response, including developing incident objectives and managing all incident operations.o Generally you will have no direct

operational contact with the Incident Commander – use the chain of command.

Public Information Officer Responsible for the development and

release of incident information.o Notify PIO of any community

concerns.o Direct Media to PIO unless

otherwise directed.

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Command Staff (2 of 2)Safety Officer Responsible for Incident Safety.

o Must be notified of injury or vehicle damage (do so through your Strike Team Leader).

Liaison Officer Point of contact for assisting and

cooperating agencies.o Direct inquiries from outside

agencies to the Liaison Officer.

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Planning SectionPlanning Section The Planning Section is responsible for the

collection, evaluation, dissemination and use of incident information and the status of resources.o Advise the Resource Unit if your unit is

out of service. o Provide Situation Unit with GPS Tracks

and lists of notable damage within the incident (destroyed homes, etc.)

o Provide Documentation Unit with daily ICS 214 Unit Logs and personnel evaluations.

Don’t be shy - the Planning Section appreciates the information that you can provide!

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Logistics SectionLogistics Section Responsible for providing facilities, services and

materials for the incident response.

Communications Unit Provides Incident Communications

o Comm Unit can provide you with a loaner portable radio, batteries. See the Comm Unit if you have a problem with your radio equipment.

Medical Unit Responsible for the development of the Medical Plan

and the provision of medical care for incident response personnel. o Can assist with medical needs.o Must be notified of Medical Emergencies involving

response personnel.

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Logistics Section Responsible for providing facilities, services and

materials for the incident response.

Communications Unit Provides Incident Communications

o Comm Unit can provide you with a loaner portable radio, batteries. See the Comm Unit if you have a problem with your radio equipment.

Medical Unit Responsible for the development of the Medical Plan

and the provision of medical care for incident response personnel. o Can assist with medical needs.o Must be notified of Medical Emergencies involving

response personnel.

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Logistics SectionSupply Unit Responsible for providing equipment and supplies needed

to support the incident. o See the Supply Unit to procure equipment and

supplies such as PPE, replacement foam and hose, nozzles and fittings. Remember: In most cases these items must be return prior to demobilization.

Facilities Unit Responsible for Incident Facilities.

Ground Support Unit Responsible for Incident transport needs. Conducts vehicle inspections.

o May be able to assist with minor mechanical repairs.

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Finance/Administration SectionFinance / Administration Responsible for all financial and cost analysis aspects of

the incident.

Time Unit Tracks personnel and equipment time.

o Turn in your personal time (CTR) and equipment time daily.

Procurement Unit Manages the procurement and buying needs of the

incident.

Compensation/Claims Unit Responsible for all administrative matters pertaining to

compensation for injury and claims related to the incident. o On a mobilization incident, you will typically discuss

these items directly with a WSP mobilization representative.

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Operations SectionOperations Section Manages and Supervises the Operational aspects of the

incident operation. Managed by the Operations Section Chief. o Interface within the operations section in accordance

with the chain of command as previously identified.

Branches Can be used to divide an incident geographically or

functionally- typically used when necessary to manage span of control. Managed by a Branch Director.

Air Operations Branch Responsible for all Air Operations involved in the incident.

o Air Resources within your area of operation are normally requested through the Division Supervisor (via the Strike Team/Task Force Leader)

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Office of the State Fire Marshal

Operations SectionDivisions Used to Divide an incident geographically. Managed by a Division

Supervisor.o Only the Strike Team/Task Force Leader should communicate

directly to the DIVS – except in an emergency where the STL/TFL cannot be reached.

Groups Used to divide an incident by function. Managed by a Group Supervisor.

o See above regarding contact directly to the Group Sup.

Strike Team Five resources of the same type, with common communications and a

leader. Managed by a Strike Team Leader.

Task Force Resources configured into any combination of single resources,

assembled for a tactical need, with common communications and a leader. Managed by a Task Force Leader.o Note: Task Force Leaders are commonly assigned to Divisions as

single resources to assist Division Supervisors in maintaining span of control.

Washington State Patrol

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Mobilization RepresentativeWSP Mobilization Section Representative Not an ICS position. Assists incident managers:

• Acquiring facilities and supplies• Assist with check-in and work within the Finance Section in the demobilization of

State Mobilization resources. Excellent resource for State Mobilization resources

• Can answer questions regarding payroll and compensation issues. • Can advise and assist responders in the completion of appropriate paperwork. • Can assist with Resource Order Number issues and questions.

Must be notified of any anticipated crew changes. Personnel must seek authorization before any apparatus swaps may occur (new

apparatus require a new Resource Order Number). Apparatus self-dispatching to an incident may be sent home without compensation.