HFD Incident Management Guideline
Rated A+
Agency Representative - ANSWER Individual assigned to an incident from an assisting
or cooperating agency who has been delegated full authority to make decisions on all
matters affecting that agency's participation at the incident. Agency Representatives
report to the Incident Liaison Officer.
Area Command - ANSWER An organization established (1) to oversee the
management of multiple incidents that are each being handled by an ICS organization
or (2) to oversee the management of large or multiple incidents to which several
Incident Management Teams have been assigned. Also known as Unified Area
Command.
Assistant - ANSWER Title of subordinates of principal Command Staff positions. The
title indicates a level of technical capability, qualifications, and responsibility subordinate
to the primary position. Assistants may also be assigned to unit leaders.
Base - ANSWER The location at which the primary support function is conducted
(Incidnet name or other designator is added to the term "Base".) There is only on Base
per incident. The Base is used in large incidents to house all equipment and personnel
support operations. The Logistics Section, which orders all resources and supplies, is
also located at the Base.
Branch - ANSWER That organizational level having functional/geographic responsibility
for major aspects of incident operations. The Branch level is organizationally situated
between the Section and Division or Group in the Operations Section; and between the
Section and Units in the Logistics Section. Branches are identified by the use of Roman
numerals or by functional area.
Branch Director - ANSWER The chief officer in charge of a Branch, reporting directly to
the IC or the Operations Chief (if established).
Camp - ANSWER A geographical site, within the general incident area, separate from
the base equipped and staffed to provide food, water, and sanitary services to incident
personnel.
Clear Text - ANSWER The use of plain English in radio communications transmissions.
No Ten Codes or agency specific codes are used when using Clear Text.
Command - ANSWER The act of directing, ordering, and/or controlling resources by
virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority.
Command Post (CP) - ANSWER That location at which primary Command functions are
executed; usually co-located with the Incident base.
, HFD Incident Management Guideline
Rated A+
Command Staff - ANSWER In an incident management organization, the Command
Staff consists of the Incident Command and the special staff positions of Public
Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer (and other positions as required)
who report directly to the Incident Commander. This definition is not to be confused with
the term "Command Staff" that refers to the HFD Fire Chief's staff.
Communications Unit - ANSWER Functional unit within the Service Branch of the
Logistics Section. This unit is responsible for the incident communications plan, the
installation and repair of communications equipment, and operation of the Incident
Communications Center. Also may refer to a vehicle (trailer or mobile van) used to
provide the major part of an Incident Communications Center. The HFD
Communications Van is dispatched on all 2-11 fires or when requested by the IC.
Communication/Claims Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the
Finance/Administrative Section. Responsible for financial concerns resulting from
injuries or fatalities at an incident.
Cost Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Finance/Administration Section.
Responsible for tracking costs, analyzing cost data, making cost estimates, and
recommending cost-saving measures.
Demobilization Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Planning Section. responsible
for assuring orderly, safe, efficient demobilization or resources committed to the
incident.
Deputy - ANSWER A fully qualified individual who, in the absence of a superior, can be
delegated the authority to manage a functional operation or perform a specific task. In
some cases, a deputy can act as a relief for a superior and, therefore, must be fully
qualified in the position. Deputies can be assigned to the Incident Commander, General
Staff, and Branch Directors. For the purpose of incident management, the term deputy
shall not be confused with the HFD rank of Deputy Chief.
Division - ANSWER The partition of an incident into geographical areas of operation.
Divisions are established when the number of resources exceeds the manageable span
of control. A division is located within the ICS organization between the Branch and the
particular resources accomplishing tactical objectives.
Documentation Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Planning Section.
Responsible for recording/protecting all documents relevant to incident.
Facilities Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics
Section. Provides fixed facilities for incident. These facilities may include the Incident
Base, feeding areas, sleeping areas, sanitary facilities, and a formal Command Post.
Rated A+
Agency Representative - ANSWER Individual assigned to an incident from an assisting
or cooperating agency who has been delegated full authority to make decisions on all
matters affecting that agency's participation at the incident. Agency Representatives
report to the Incident Liaison Officer.
Area Command - ANSWER An organization established (1) to oversee the
management of multiple incidents that are each being handled by an ICS organization
or (2) to oversee the management of large or multiple incidents to which several
Incident Management Teams have been assigned. Also known as Unified Area
Command.
Assistant - ANSWER Title of subordinates of principal Command Staff positions. The
title indicates a level of technical capability, qualifications, and responsibility subordinate
to the primary position. Assistants may also be assigned to unit leaders.
Base - ANSWER The location at which the primary support function is conducted
(Incidnet name or other designator is added to the term "Base".) There is only on Base
per incident. The Base is used in large incidents to house all equipment and personnel
support operations. The Logistics Section, which orders all resources and supplies, is
also located at the Base.
Branch - ANSWER That organizational level having functional/geographic responsibility
for major aspects of incident operations. The Branch level is organizationally situated
between the Section and Division or Group in the Operations Section; and between the
Section and Units in the Logistics Section. Branches are identified by the use of Roman
numerals or by functional area.
Branch Director - ANSWER The chief officer in charge of a Branch, reporting directly to
the IC or the Operations Chief (if established).
Camp - ANSWER A geographical site, within the general incident area, separate from
the base equipped and staffed to provide food, water, and sanitary services to incident
personnel.
Clear Text - ANSWER The use of plain English in radio communications transmissions.
No Ten Codes or agency specific codes are used when using Clear Text.
Command - ANSWER The act of directing, ordering, and/or controlling resources by
virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority.
Command Post (CP) - ANSWER That location at which primary Command functions are
executed; usually co-located with the Incident base.
, HFD Incident Management Guideline
Rated A+
Command Staff - ANSWER In an incident management organization, the Command
Staff consists of the Incident Command and the special staff positions of Public
Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer (and other positions as required)
who report directly to the Incident Commander. This definition is not to be confused with
the term "Command Staff" that refers to the HFD Fire Chief's staff.
Communications Unit - ANSWER Functional unit within the Service Branch of the
Logistics Section. This unit is responsible for the incident communications plan, the
installation and repair of communications equipment, and operation of the Incident
Communications Center. Also may refer to a vehicle (trailer or mobile van) used to
provide the major part of an Incident Communications Center. The HFD
Communications Van is dispatched on all 2-11 fires or when requested by the IC.
Communication/Claims Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the
Finance/Administrative Section. Responsible for financial concerns resulting from
injuries or fatalities at an incident.
Cost Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Finance/Administration Section.
Responsible for tracking costs, analyzing cost data, making cost estimates, and
recommending cost-saving measures.
Demobilization Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Planning Section. responsible
for assuring orderly, safe, efficient demobilization or resources committed to the
incident.
Deputy - ANSWER A fully qualified individual who, in the absence of a superior, can be
delegated the authority to manage a functional operation or perform a specific task. In
some cases, a deputy can act as a relief for a superior and, therefore, must be fully
qualified in the position. Deputies can be assigned to the Incident Commander, General
Staff, and Branch Directors. For the purpose of incident management, the term deputy
shall not be confused with the HFD rank of Deputy Chief.
Division - ANSWER The partition of an incident into geographical areas of operation.
Divisions are established when the number of resources exceeds the manageable span
of control. A division is located within the ICS organization between the Branch and the
particular resources accomplishing tactical objectives.
Documentation Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Planning Section.
Responsible for recording/protecting all documents relevant to incident.
Facilities Unit - ANSWER Functional Unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics
Section. Provides fixed facilities for incident. These facilities may include the Incident
Base, feeding areas, sleeping areas, sanitary facilities, and a formal Command Post.
