The Incident Command System (ICS) has been covered in other bulletins (see EMCOM001-020 on the ACS archive or Web page). Here we'll cover the typical fire service terms/definitions since the first place many communications unit participants
come across the ICS is in a fire response situation. If you are likely to be in such a situation you will need to know these terms. For those who will never be a fire responder this is still a worthwhile review because you may someday be called on to act as a relay station and terminology familarity can be vital.
One interesting ICS application was in the steering committee for ERI '96 (Emergency Response Institute) where the committee set itself up under the ICS structure to illustrate its incident application. Such use helped all grasp ICS benefits more clearly. Any group planning a major event can benefit from using the same methodology as a learning process in ICS.
Incident Command System Terms and Definitions
GLOSSARY OF TERMS supplied by Bill Pennington, WA6SLA, OES Inland Region Assistant Radio Officer, OES Region IV Radio Officer, DEC.
One interesting ICS application was in the steering committee for ERI '96 (Emergency Response Institute) where the committee set itself up under the ICS structure to illustrate its incident application. Such use helped all grasp ICS benefits more clearly. Any group planning a major event can benefit from using the same methodology as a learning process in ICS.
Incident Command System Terms and Definitions
GLOSSARY OF TERMS supplied by Bill Pennington, WA6SLA, OES Inland Region Assistant Radio Officer, OES Region IV Radio Officer, DEC.
- Aerial Torch
- An ignition device suspended under a helicopter capable of dispensing ignited fuel to the ground for assistance in burnout or backfiring.
- Agency Representative
- 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 agencies participation at the incident. Reports to the Incident Liaison Officer.
- Air Tanker
- Any fixed wing aircraft certified by the FAA as being capable of transport and delivery of fire retardant solutions.
- Allocated Resources
- Resources dispatched to an incident that have not yet checked-in with the Incident Communications Center.
- Assigned Resources
- Resources checked-in and assigned work task on an incident.
- Assisting Agency
- An agency directly contributing, suppression, rescue, support, or service resources to another agency.
- Available Resources
- Resources assigned to an incident and available for an assignment.
- Base
- The location where the primary logistics functions are coordinated and administered. The Incident Command Post may be collocated with the base. There is only one base per incident.
- Branch
- The organizational level having the functional/ geographical responsibility for major segments of incident operations. Organizationally between Section and Division/Group.
- Brush Patrol Unit
- Any light mobile unit, having limited pumping and water capacity for off-road operations.
- Camp
- 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.
- Check-in
- Locations where assigned resources check-in at an incident. The locations are:
- Incident Command Post (Resources Unit),
- Incident Base,
- Camps,
- Staging Areas,
- Helibases, and
- Division Supervisors (for direct line assignments)
- Clear Text
- The use of plain english in radio communications. transmissions. (The text of a message.) No Ten Codes, or agency specific codes are used when using clear text. (And for amateur radio operators it is recommended that no Q Signals, or CW abbreviations be used.)
Continues next week
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