# Presentation: 657834

## Unit 5:  General Staff Functions    

## Unit Objective

**Describe the roles and functions of the General Staff including:**
**Operations Section**
**Planning Section**
**Logistics Section**
**Finance/****Administration ****Section**

## Expanding Incidents

**Expanding incidents may add supervisory layers to the organizational structure as needed.**

**Divisions**

**Groups**

**Units**

**Branches**

**Single Resources**

**Sections**

**Incident Commander**

**Operations Section Chief**

**Command**

## General Staff

**This unit focuses on the role of the General Staff in the ICS organizational structure.**

**Safety**
**Officer**

**Liaison**
**Officer**

**Public Information**
**Officer**

**Command Staff**

**Incident**
**Commander**

**Operations**
**Section**

**Planning**
**Section**

**Logistics**
**Section**

**Finance/Admin**
**Section**

**General ****Staff**

## Operations Section Chief

**The Operations Section Chief:**
**Develops and implements strategy and tactics to carry out the incident objectives.**
**Organizes, assigns, and supervises the tactical field resources.**
**Supervises air operations and those resources in a Staging Area.**

**Operations Section Chief**

## Operations Section

**The Operations Section:**
**Directs and coordinates all incident tactical operations.**
**Is typically one of the first organizations to be assigned to the incident.**
**Expands from the bottom up. **
**Has the most incident resources.**
**May have Staging Areas and special organizations.**

**Rescue**
**Group**

**Investigation**
**Group**

**Operations**
**Section**

**Staging ****Area**

**Incident**
**Commander**

## Operations Section Challenges

**It is critical to organize field resources and maintain span of control by using Branches and Groups.**
**In complex incidents, there may be a Deputy Operations Section Chief.**
**The Operations Section Chief depends on the rest of the General Staff for support.**

**Operations Section Chief**

## Maintaining Span of Control

**The following supervisory levels can be added to help manage span of control:**

**Divide an incident geographically.**

**Describe functional **
**areas of operation.**

**Are used when the number of Divisions or Groups exceeds the span of control.  Can be either geographical or functional.**

**Divisions**

**Groups**

**Branches**

## Operations Section:  Divisions

**Divided geographically based on the needs of the incident. **
**Labeled using alphabet characters (A, B, C, etc.). **
**Managed by a Supervisor.**

## Operations Section:  Groups

**Established based on the needs of an incident. **
**Labeled according to the job that they are assigned.**
**Managed by a Supervisor.**
**Work wherever their assigned task is needed and are not limited geographically.**

## Operations Section:  Divisions & Groups

**Divisions and Groups:**
**Can be used together on an incident. **
**Are at an equal level in the organization.  One does not supervise the other. **

## Operations Section:  Branches

**Established if the number of Divisions or Groups exceeds the span of control. **
**Have functional or geographical responsibility for major parts of incident operations.  **
**Identified by Roman numerals or functional name.  **
**Managed by a Branch Director.**

## Operations Section:  Task Forces

**Task Force**

**Strike Team**

**Single Resource**

**Operations Section**

**Task Forces are a combination of mixed resources with common communications operating under the direct supervision of a Task Force Leader.**

## Operations Section:  Strike Teams

**Task Force**

**Strike Team**

**Single Resource**

**Operations Section**

**Strike Teams are a set number of resources of the same kind and type with common communications operating under the direct supervision of a Strike Team Leader.**

## Operations Section:  Single Resources

**Single Resources may be:**
**Individuals.**
**A piece of equipment and its personnel complement.**
**A crew or team of individuals with an identified supervisor.**

**Task Force**

**Strike Team**

**Single Resource**

**Operations Section**

## Name That Resource . . .

**Name That Resource . . .**

_**Leader**_

_**Leader**_

**A**

**C**

**B**

## Use of Position Titles

**Using specific ICS position titles:**
**Provides a common standard for performance expectations.**
**Helps to ensure that qualified individuals fill positions.**
**Standardizes communication.**
**Describes the responsibilities of the position.**

## ICS Supervisory Position Titles

**Titles for all ICS supervisory levels are shown in the table below.**

| Organizational Level | Title | Support Position |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Incident Command | Incident Commander | Deputy |
| Command Staff | Officer | Assistant |
| General Staff (Section) | Chief | Deputy |
| Branch | Director | Deputy |
| Division/Group | Supervisor | N/A |
| Unit | Leader | Manager |
| Strike Team/Task Force | Leader | Single Resource Boss |

## Knowledge Review (1 of 5)

**Two Supervisors have been dispatched with resources (personnel and equipment) to evacuate homes within the potential hazard zone.  One Supervisor has responsibility for the east side of the community and the other has responsibility for the west side.**

**What type of ICS organizational structure is being described?**

## Knowledge Review (2 of 5)

**Several utility crews have been organized under a single **_**Supervisor**_** in order to coordinate their repairs of downed power lines.**

**What type of ICS organizational structure is being described?**

## Knowledge Review (3 of 5)

**HazMat specialists, sanitation workers, and disposal equipment are grouped together, under the direct supervision of a **_**Leader**_**, to handle the removal of hazardous waste.**
** **

**What type of ICS organizational structure is being described?**

## Knowledge Review (4 of 5)

**As incident objectives and resources expand, the Operations Section Chief begins organizing resources into functional areas that are managed by a **_**Supervisor**_**.**

**On the organizational chart, the title of each component would be a _________________. **

**Operations**
**Section**

**Medical (EMS)**
**?**

**HazMat**
**?**

## Knowledge Review (5 of 5)

**As the operation expands even further, the Operations Section Chief appoints a Director to manage the Groups.**

**On the organizational chart, the title of the organizational component managed by a Director would be called the Emergency Services _________________. **

**Operations**
**Section**

**Emergency Services****?**

**Medical (EMS)**
**Group**

**HazMat**
**Group**

## Planning Section Chief

**The Planning Section Chief:**
**Gathers, analyzes, and disseminates information and intelligence.**
**Manages the planning process.**
**Compiles the Incident Action Plan.**
**Manages Technical Specialists.**

**Planning Section Chief**

## Planning Section

**Maintains resource status.**
**Maintains and displays situation status.**
**Prepares the Incident Action Plan.**
**Develops alternative strategies.**
**Provides documentation services.**
**Prepares the Demobilization Plan.**
**Provides a primary location for Technical Specialists assigned to an incident.**

## Planning Section:  Resources Unit

**Conducts all check-in activities and maintains the status of all incident resources. **
**Plays a significant role in preparing the written Incident Action Plan.**

**Planning Section**

**Resources**
**Unit**

**Demobilization**
**Unit**

**Situation**
**Unit**

**Documentation****Unit**

## Planning Section:  Situation Unit

**Collects and analyzes information on the current situation.**
**Prepares situation displays and situation summaries.**
**Develops maps and ****projections.**

**Planning Section**

**Resources**
**Unit**

**Demobilization**
**Unit**

**Situation**
**Unit**

**Documentation****Unit**

**Planning Section**

## Planning Section:  Documentation Unit

**Provides duplication services, including the written Incident Action Plan. **
**Maintains and archives all incident-related documentation.**

**Planning Section**

**Resources**
**Unit**

**Demobilization**
**Unit**

**Situation**
**Unit**

**Documentation****Unit**

**Planning Section**

## Planning Section:  Demobilization Unit

**Assists in ensuring that resources are released from the incident in an orderly, safe, and cost-effective manner.**

**Planning Section**

**Resources**
**Unit**

**Demobilization**
**Unit**

**Situation**
**Unit**

**Documentation****Unit**

**Planning Section**

## Planning Section:  Technical Specialists

**Provide special expertise useful in incident management and response.**
**May be assigned to work in the Planning Section or in other Sections. **

## Knowledge Review (1 of 3)

**Planning Section**

**Resources**
**Unit**

**Demobilization**
**Unit**

**Situation**
**Unit**

**Documentation****Unit**

**If you needed copies ****made of the Incident Action ****Plan, which Unit **
**would you go to?**

## Knowledge Review (2 of 3)

**Planning Section**

**Resources**
**Unit**

**Demobilization**
**Unit**

**Situation**
**Unit**

**Documentation****Unit**

**If you needed a ****map of the incident area, ****which Unit **
**would you go to? **

## Knowledge Review (3 of 3)

**Planning Section**

**Resources**
**Unit**

**Demobilization**
**Unit**

**Situation**
**Unit**

**Documentation****Unit**

**If you needed to check in ****at an incident, **
**which Unit**
**would you go to? **

## Logistics Section

**Responsible for:**
**Communications.**
**Medical support to incident personnel.**
**Food for incident personnel.**
**Supplies.**
**Facilities.**
**Ground support.**

## Logistics Section Chief

**The Logistics Section Chief:**
**Provides resources and services required to support incident activities.**
**Develops portions of Incident Action Plan and forwards them to Planning Section.**
**Contracts for and purchases goods and services needed at the incident.**

**Logistics Section Chief**

## Logistics Section:  Service Branch

**The Service Branch may be made up of the following Units:**

## Service Branch:  Communications Unit

**Prepares and supports the Incident Communication Plan (ICS Form 205).**
**Distributes and maintains communications equipment.**
**Supervises the Incident Communications Center.**
**Ensures adequate communications over the ****incident.**

## Service Branch:  Medical Unit

**Develops the Medical Plan (ICS Form 206).**
**Provides first aid and light medical treatment.**
**Prepares procedures for a major medical emergency.**

## Service Branch:  Food Unit

**Supplies the food and potable water.**
**Obtains equipment and supplies to operate food ****service facilities.**

## Logistics Section:  Support Branch

## Support Branch:  Supply Unit

**Assists in determining the type and amount of supplies needed to support the incident. **
**Orders, receives, stores, and distributes supplies.**
**Services nonexpendable equipment. **
**Places all resource orders.**
**Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment.**

## Support Branch:  Facilities Unit

**Sets up and maintains facilities. **
**Provides managers for Base and Camps.**
**Provides facility security and maintenance services (sanitation, lighting, cleanup).**

## Support Branch:  Ground Support Unit

**Prepares the Transportation Plan. **
**Arranges for, activates, and documents the fueling and maintenance of ground resources.**
**Arranges for transportation of personnel, supplies, food, ****and equipment.**

## Knowledge Review (1 of 4)

**If the lighting at ****the Incident Command Post  ****was not operating properly, ****which Unit would ****do the repairs?**

**Ground**
**Unit**

**Food**
**Unit**

**Facilities**
**Unit**

**Medical**
**Unit**

**Supply**
**Unit**

**Commun.**
**Unit**

**Support**
**Branch**

**Service**
**Branch**

**Logistics Section**

## Knowledge Review (2 of 4)

**Which Unit would ****arrange transport of personnel ****from the northernmost point**
**of the incident area ****to the Base?**

**Ground**
**Unit**

**Food**
**Unit**

**Facilities**
**Unit**

**Medical**
**Unit**

**Supply**
**Unit**

**Commun.**
**Unit**

**Support**
**Branch**

**Service**
**Branch**

**Logistics Section**

## Knowledge Review (3 of 4)

**If your radio was not **
**working properly, which **
**Unit would you go to?**

**Ground**
**Unit**

**Food**
**Unit**

**Facilities**
**Unit**

**Medical**
**Unit**

**Supply**
**Unit**

**Commun.**
**Unit**

**Support**
**Branch**

**Service**
**Branch**

**Logistics Section**

## Knowledge Review (4 of 4)

**If you needed to place an**
**order for additional**
**protective equipment, which **
**Logistics Section Unit **
**would you go to?**

**Ground**
**Unit**

**Food**
**Unit**

**Facilities**
**Unit**

**Medical**
**Unit**

**Supply**
**Unit**

**Commun.**
**Unit**

**Support**
**Branch**

**Service**
**Branch**

**Logistics Section**

## Finance/Administration Section Chief

**The Finance/Admin Section Chief:**
**Is responsible for financial and cost analysis.**
**Oversees contract negotiations.**
**Tracks personnel and equipment time.**
**Processes claims for accidents and injuries.**
**Works with Logistics to ensure resources are procured.**

**Finance/Administration Section Chief**

## Finance/Administration Section

**Contract negotiation and monitoring **
**Timekeeping **
**Cost analysis **
**Compensation for injury or damage to property**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

## Finance/Admin Section:  Time Unit

**Responsible for incident personnel time recording.**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

## Finance/Admin Section:  Procurement Unit

**Responsible for administering all financial matters pertaining to:**
**Vendor contracts. **
**Leases.**
**Fiscal agreements.**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

## Finance/Admin Section:  Comp/Claims Unit

**Responsible for management and direction of administrative matters pertaining to:**
**Compensation for ****injury. **
**Claims-related activities kept for the incident.**

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

## Finance/Admin Section:  Cost Unit

**Collects all cost data.**
**Performs cost effectiveness analyses.**
**Provides cost estimates.**
**Makes cost savings recommendations.**

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

## Knowledge Review (1 of 3)

** ****If you wanted to ****confirm that your pay was correct,**
**which Unit would you go to?**

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

## Knowledge Review (2 of 3)

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

** ****If you were injured**
**at an incident,**
**which Unit would ****you go to?**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

## Knowledge Review (3 of 3)

** ****If you needed to ****lease equipment, **
**which Unit would ****you go to?**

**Time**
**Unit**

**Compensation/**
**Claims Unit**

**Procurement**
**Unit**

**Cost**
** ****Unit**

**Finance/Admin****Section**

## General Staff Functions:  Case Study (1 of 7)

_**Instructions**_**:  Read the scenario below and then answer the question.**_**The Scenario**_**:  At 4:30 p.m. on a chilly autumn day, a parent calls 911 to report a missing 3-year-old child.  The child was outside playing and may have wandered off into a vast wooded area adjacent to the home.  A local police officer arrives at the scene, establishing the initial ICS organization. **

**In the ICS organization described above, ****Police Officer Unit 1 has assumed ****which role? **

## General Staff Functions:  Case Study (2 of 7)

_**The Scenario Continues**_**:**
**A Police Chief arrives at the scene, along with news crews and numerous volunteers. **

**What must happen before the Chief assumes the Incident Commander role? **

## General Staff Functions:  Case Study (3 of 7)

_**The Scenario Continues**_**:****A transfer of command briefing occurs and the Chief assumes the Incident Commander role.  All Command Staff positions are filled. **

**What is the correct title of the Command Staff member who will manage the media and ensure that the correct messages are communicated?  **

**Emergency**
**Medical Technician**

## General Staff Functions:  Case Study (4 of 7)

_**The Scenario Continues**_**:  The Incident Commander establishes ****an Operations Section. ****Within the Search Group, four canine search teams are assigned.  The teams have identical resources.   The teams are using common communications and are operating under the direct supervision of a Leader.**

**What is the correct title of this organization?  If the resources continue to expand, what might the Operations Section Chief do?**

## General Staff Functions:  Case Study (5 of 7)

_**The Scenario Continues**_**:****After the first hour, the Incident Commander establishes a second Section that will develop the Incident Action Plan and track the status of resources on the scene. **

**What is the correct title of this Section?**

## General Staff Functions:  Case Study (6 of 7)

_**The Scenario Continues**_**:****As night falls, more than 100 personnel are on the scene searching for the missing child.  Given the number of personnel on the scene, there is a need to provide meals, food, first aid, and rest areas for responders. **

**Which Section is responsible for providing these support resources?**

## General Staff Functions:  Case Study (7 of 7)

_**The Scenario Continues**_**:****Just before noon the child is found.  **

**Which resources would you demobilize first?  Why?**

## Summary

**Are you able to describe the roles and functions ****of the:**
**Operations Section?**
**Planning Section?**
**Logistics Section?**
**Finance/Administration ****Section?**