Incident Management System Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the KCFD Incident Management System manual, including basic tenets, command modes, roles, and geographic designations.

KCFD IMS

A management system designed to enable effective and efficient incident management by integrating a standard set of predetermined organizational elements, functions, and common names for resources used to support incident operations.

Chain of Command

The orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident management organization.

Unity of Command

The principle that every individual has a designated supervisor to whom they report at the scene of the incident.

Incident Action Plan (IAP)

A coherent means of communicating overall incident objectives; executed verbally for most incidents, but should be written for operations potentially lasting more than $12$ hours.

Span of Control

The number of subordinates any individual with incident management supervisory responsibility should manage, which should range from $3-7$.

Check-In

The process where all responders, regardless of rank or agency affiliation, report their arrival on-scene to receive an assignment in accordance with procedures established by the IC.

Heart of America Fire Chiefs Council

The organization that adopted the IMS structure used by KCFD for mutual or automatic aid operations.

Command Radio Designation

The term "Command" combined with the geographical description of the incident location (e.g., "Armour Road Command").

Investigation Mode

A command option used when there are no visible indicators of a significant event upon arrival, requiring the first-arriving company to investigate while others remain staged.

Fast Attack Mode

A command option mandating immediate action by the company officer to stabilize the incident, such as critical life safety situations or offensive fire attacks.

Command Mode

A command option for large, complex incidents where the company officer assumes an exterior, safe, and effective command position and initiates a tactical work sheet.

Unified Command

A structure used during incidents involving multiple agencies or jurisdictions that allows them to work together effectively without affecting individual agency authority or accountability.

Division

An organizational element used to divide an incident into physical or geographical areas of operation.

Group

An organizational element used to divide an incident into functional areas of operation.

Command Staff

Positions that support the command function, including the Safety Officer, Public Information Officer, Liaison Officer, and Command Advisor.

Safety Officer

The individual responsible for monitoring and assessing safety hazards or unsafe situations and developing measures for ensuring personnel safety.

Public Information Officer (PIO)

The person responsible for the development and release of accurate information regarding the incident and serving as the point of contact for the news media.

Liaison Officer

The point of contact and coordination for assisting agencies not included within the standard IMS chain of command.

General Staff

The group of IMS personnel representing the major functional areas: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.

Operations Section

The section responsible for managing tactical operations directed toward reducing hazards, saving lives and property, and restoring normal conditions.

Planning Section

The section responsible for collecting, evaluating, and disseminating tactical information and status of resources to the Incident Commander.

Logistics Section

The section that meets all support needs for the incident, including facilities, transportation, supplies, food services, and medical services for personnel.

Communication Unit Leader

An individual assigned (often at a $2nd$ or $3rd$ alarm) to develop a Communication Plan that separates tactical from non-tactical radio traffic.

Staging Officer

The person responsible for maintaining a staging area for incoming resources and holding them until directed to a given assignment by the IC.

Medical Branch Director

The person who controls activities within the Medical Branch, establishing Triage, Treatment, and Transportation Groups as needed.

Occupant Service Officer

A role responsible for working with occupants experiencing an emergency to explain services, coordinate salvage, and notify agencies like the Red Cross.

Water Officer

The individual responsible for maintaining the water supply at the incident, locating hydrants, and coordinating with the Water Services Department.

Resource Supervisor

The person responsible for collecting and displaying the status of all personnel, equipment, and apparatus using a command post display.

Side A

The primary geographic designation for the front side of an incident building or location.

Exterior Exposure Designation

A numbering system for adjoining exposures that starts from behind the Command Post and proceeds clockwise (e.g., B/1, B/2).