Definitions

Incident Commander (IC)

The individual with overall authority and responsibility for managing the incident. There is exactly one IC at any given time.

Command Post (CP)

The designated location from which the IC directs operations. May be an apparatus, a vehicle, or a fixed point.

Transfer of Command

The formal, face-to-face (or by radio when face-to-face is not possible) hand-off of incident command authority from one individual to another.

Unified Command

A command structure in which multiple agencies with jurisdictional or functional responsibility share command authority through a single, consolidated plan.

Purpose

To ensure every incident the [DEPARTMENT NAME] responds to is managed under a single, recognizable command structure that maintains accountability, coordinates resources, and supports safe, effective operations.

Scope

This guideline applies to all members of [DEPARTMENT NAME] at every emergency and non-emergency incident, training evolution, and pre-planned event. Mutual aid agencies operating within [DEPARTMENT NAME]'s jurisdiction will be integrated under the command structure established by this guideline.

Establishing Command

1. The first [DEPARTMENT NAME] unit to arrive on scene establishes command by radio transmission. The transmission includes unit designation, arrival conditions, a brief initial radio report, strategy, and assumption of command (e.g., "Engine 1 on scene, single-family two-story with fire showing from Side A, offensive strategy, Engine 1 is [Address] Command").
2. If the incident is clearly a "nothing showing" or minor incident, the first-arriving officer may announce "[Unit] is investigating" in lieu of formally establishing command, but must escalate to formal command if conditions warrant.
3. The initial IC remains IC until command is transferred or the incident is terminated.

Transfer of Command

Transfer of command is expected as more senior officers arrive. Transfer is performed face-to-face whenever possible. A transfer over the radio is permitted only when face-to-face is impractical (e.g., arriving chief is coordinating a staging area out of sight of the CP).

1. The arriving officer contacts the current IC and requests a situation report.
2. The current IC provides a briefing covering: conditions, resources on scene, actions underway, effectiveness of actions, needed resources, and safety concerns.
3. The arriving officer explicitly accepts command with a radio transmission ("[Rank/Name] is now [Address] Command").
4. The previous IC confirms transfer and is assigned a position within the command structure or released.

• An officer may decline to transfer command if taking command would disrupt ongoing operations and the current IC is performing effectively.
• The IC should not be rotated more than once per operational period unless necessary.

Command Options

Command Organization

The IC expands the organization as the incident complexity demands. A simple incident may require only the IC. A working fire typically requires the IC plus Division/Group assignments. A large or complex incident may expand to full ICS with Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration Sections.

• Span of control should remain between 3 and 7 direct reports, with 5 being optimal.
• No officer should supervise more units than they can effectively track for accountability.
• When span of control is exceeded, an additional supervisor (Division, Group, or Branch) must be appointed.

Unified Command

When an incident involves multiple agencies with jurisdictional or functional responsibility (e.g., a hazmat release that affects police, public health, and environmental protection), the IC will establish a Unified Command structure. All unified commanders jointly determine objectives, strategy, and priorities. Tactical operations remain under a single Operations Section Chief.

Responsibilities

Termination

1. Command is terminated only by the IC, by radio announcement.
2. Prior to termination, the IC ensures all units are accounted for (final PAR), all personnel are released, and a return-to-quarters report is given.
3. Required reports (incident report, exposure reports, apparatus checks, training record if applicable) are completed per [DEPARTMENT NAME] recordkeeping policy.
4. A post-incident after-action review is conducted for every working fire, every injury incident, and any incident identified by the IC as warranting review.

Training Requirements

• All members complete FEMA IS-100 and IS-700 on hire and maintain currency.
• Company officers complete FEMA IS-200 and ICS-300.
• Chief officers complete FEMA ICS-400.
• Command transfer and ICS skills are drilled at least annually. Verification is documented in the member's training record.

References

• NFPA 1561Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System and Command Safety
• NFPA 1500Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program
• FEMA NIMSNational Incident Management System, current edition
• FEMA IS-100Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS-100)

Adapt this template

Before this template becomes your department's policy, review the following items and adjust accordingly. Anything else that does not match your operation should be updated as well.

• Replace [DEPARTMENT NAME] throughout with your department's formal name.
• Confirm your jurisdiction's expected radio naming convention for command (street address, occupancy name, etc.) and adjust the example radio traffic accordingly.
• Confirm your dispatch center's elapsed-time notification intervals and update the Dispatch responsibilities section.
• If your department participates in a regional ICS or has a local AHJ-mandated command structure, add or replace sections to reflect that structure.