**[[IDT]{.smallcaps} 435 Incident Command]{.underline}**

3 Semester Credit Hours

# Catalogue Description

The study of complex fire situations, including analysis of pre-fire
planning, establishing and managing the command post, and effective
management of complex fireground operations. Emphasizes the study of
multiple company response and the efficient utilization of available and
prospective resources in handling major fires.

Prerequisites: PLS 450 Managing Public Safety Agencies of Departmental
Permission.

# 

# Course Goals and Objectives

The course focuses on the problems posed for fire department management
from large scale incidents or natural disasters, including the
particular problems associated with multiple-company response and
involvement of multiple jurisdictions. These characteristics impose
significant demands on management, including the necessity for
pre-planning, the development of communication and information and
data-retrieval systems, and attention to leadership and decision-making
approaches appropriate for crisis situations. The course incorporates a
simulation requiring students to develop plans for and respond to
specific complex fire situations.

The objectives of the course are to:

\- identify the characteristics of a complex fire situation

\- examine the administrative problems posed by multiple jurisdiction in
providing disaster-related services

> \- describe the elements of an effective communication system

\- describe the requirements for pre-incident planning, including data
requirements and planning methodologies

> \- examine management approaches at a complex fire scene
>
> \- link theory with practice by completing a simulation.

# Course Format and Requirements

The class utilizes a lecture/discussion format, with ample use of case
discussions, exercises and simulations. Student attendance is expected
and assigned readings should be completed prior to class. Grading is
based on three equally weighted noncumulative

examinations (75%), including objective as well as essay and short
answer questions, and a class project (25%).

# 

# Text

[Incident Command]{.underline}, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Washington, D.C.: U.S Fire Protection Administration, 1980.

# Course Content

A. Psychology of Command and Communication

> 1\. elements of effective command behavior at a complex fire scene
>
> 2\. designing a good communication system

B. Addressing Jurisdictional Issues

> 1\. agency jurisdiction and mutual aid

2\. identifying key public departments and private groups with whom the
fire service interfaces during large-scale operations

> 3\. regional approaches to disaster preparedness
>
> 4\. interagency coordination and planning

C. Pre-Incident Planning

> 1\. gathering and utilizing pre-fire information
>
> 2\. types of information, nature of information systems
>
> 3\. alternative planning methodologies
>
> 4\. linking planning, information and communication systems

D. Setting Up The Command Post

> 1\. identifying the components of a complex fireground command post
>
> 2\. detailing the sequence of procedures to set up a command post

E. Managing The Command Post

> 1\. logistics of a complex fire scene
>
> 2\. managing a complex fireground command post
>
> 3\. applying Management by Objectives, M.B.O., principles to complex
> fire operations
>
> 4\. coordinating across agency lines

E. Simulating Major Incidents

1.  given a scenario, a previously completed pre-plan for location, and
    an acetate overlay for sectoring and fire scene design, students
    will design a strategy for handling incidents

> 2\. students will create a case study of a complex fire situation
> (design phase)
>
> 3\. students will resolve (command phase) major incident cases

[Bibliography and Resource Material]{.underline}

[Municipal Public Safety: A guide for the Implementation of Consolidated
Police-Fire services]{.underline}, Berenbaum, Esai, Springfield, IL:
Charles C. Thomas, 1977.

[Managing Fire Services,]{.underline} Bryan and Picard, eds.
International City Management Association, 1979.

[Winning the Fire Service Leadership Game]{.underline}, Caulfield, H.
Fire Engineering, 1985.

[Truck Company Fireground Operations Study Guide]{.underline}, David
Dunay, Alabama Sate Fire College: Davis Publishing Co., 1987.

[Incident Command System]{.underline}, International Fire Services
Training Association: Fire Protection Publications, 1983.

[Fire Department Management: Scope and Method]{.underline}, Gratz,
David, Macmillan, 1972.

[Leadership in the Fire Service]{.underline}, Robert Hamm, International
Fire Service Training Association : Fire Protection Publications, 1989.

[Hazardous Materials and Natural Disaster Emergency Incident Action
Guidebook]{.underline}, Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Co., 1984.

[Fire Officer Series: Managing People]{.underline}: Henry, Kenneth C.
and Shurtleff, Morton D., eds. International Society of Fire Service,
1987.

[Pre-Emergency Planning,]{.underline} William Jenaway, International
Society of Fire Service, 1986.

[Organization for Fire Services]{.underline}, National Fire Protection
Association, 1971.

[Effective Company Command,]{.underline} Page, James, National Fire
Protection Association, 1974.

[Small Community Fire Departments: Organization and
Operations,]{.underline} National Fire Protection Association, 1982.

[Management in the Fire Service]{.underline}, K. Tower and A. Dean, eds,
National Fire Protection Association, 1977.

[Firefighting Strategy and Leadership]{.underline}, Walsh, Charles V.
and Marks, Leonard, McGraw-Hill, 1976.