ICS for Single Resource and Initial 

Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Student Manual

August 2010

Unit 1: Course Overview
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Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the Incident Command System (ICS) organization appropriate to the 

complexity of the incident or event.

• Use ICS to manage an incident or event.

Scope

• Course Welcome and Course Objectives

• Student Introductions and Expectations

• Instructor Expectations

• Incident Command System: Review 

• ICS Features: Review

o Activity

o Features

• Course Structure

• Course Logistics

• Successful Course Completion

Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.1

COURSE WELCOME

Visual 1.1

Key Points:

Welcome to the IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS-200)

course. This course focuses on single resources and initial action incidents and builds on the 

ICS-100 course.

IS-200.b follows NIMS guidelines and meets the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 

Baseline Training requirements for ICS-200.

This is the second in a series of ICS courses designed to meet the all-hazards, all-agency NIMS 

ICS requirement for operational personnel. Descriptions and details about the other ICS 

courses in the series may be found on our Web site: http://training.fema.gov.

Introduce yourself and provide information about your background and experience with the 

Incident Command System (ICS).
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.2 Student Manual August 2010

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Visual 1.2

Key Points:

Review the course objectives. By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the Incident Command System (ICS) organization appropriate to the complexity of 

the incident or event.

• Use ICS to manage an incident or event.

This course is designed to provide overall incident management skills rather than tactical 

expertise. Additional courses are available on developing and implementing incident tactics.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.3

STUDENT INTRODUCTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

Visual 1.3

Key Points:

You should introduce yourself by providing the following information:

• Name, job title, and organization.

• Overall experience with emergency or incident response.

• ICS qualifications and most recent ICS experience.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.4 Student Manual August 2010

STUDENT INTRODUCTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

Visual 1.4

Key Points:

Identify what you hope to gain from attending this course. 
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.5

INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS

Visual 1.5

Key Points:

Instructors expect you will:

• Cooperate with the group.

• Be open minded to new ideas.

• Participate actively in all of the training activities and exercises.

• Return to class at the stated time.

• Use what you learn in the course to perform effectively within an ICS organization.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.6 Student Manual August 2010

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: REVIEW

Visual 1.6

Key Points:

Remember in the ICS-100 course you learned that ICS is used to ensure the effective 

management of incidents and events.

ICS was developed in the 1970s following a series of catastrophic fires in California’s urban 

interface. Property damage ran into the millions, and many people died or were injured. The 

personnel assigned to determine the causes of these outcomes studied the case histories and 

discovered that response problems could rarely be attributed to lack of resources or failure of 

tactics. Surprisingly, studies found that response problems were far more likely to result from 

inadequate management than from any other single reason.

ICS:

• Is a standardized management tool for meeting the demands of small or large emergency or 

nonemergency situations.

• Represents “best practices,” and has become the standard for emergency management 

across the country. 

• May be used for planned events, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism. 

• Is a key feature of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

ICS is not just a standardized organizational chart, but an entire management system.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.7

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: REVIEW

Visual 1.7

Key Points:

• All levels of government, the private sector, and nongovernmental agencies must be 

prepared to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from a wide spectrum of major 

events and natural disasters that exceed the capabilities of any single entity. 

• Threats from natural disasters and human-caused events, such as terrorism, require a 

unified and coordinated national approach to planning and to domestic incident 

management.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.8 Student Manual August 2010

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: REVIEW

Visual 1.8

Key Points:

• ICS works! It saves lives! Life safety is the top priority for ICS response.

• The use of ICS is mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPDs) 5 and 8 

and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). 

The following page includes more information about HSPD-5 and HSPD-8. The next part of this 

unit includes a brief review of NIMS.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.9

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: REVIEW

Visual 1.8 (Continued)

HSPD-5, Management of Domestic Incidents, identified steps for improved coordination in 

response to incidents. It required the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate 

with other Federal departments and agencies and State, local, and tribal governments to 

establish a National Response Framework (NRF) and a National Incident Management System 

(NIMS).

HSPD-8, National Preparedness, directed DHS to lead a national initiative to develop a National 

Preparedness System—a common, unified approach to “strengthen the preparedness of the 

United States to prevent and respond to threatened or actual domestic terrorist attacks, major 

disasters, and other emergencies.”
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.10 Student Manual August 2010

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: REVIEW

Visual 1.9

Key Points:

• The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a consistent nationwide 

template to enable Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, the private sector, and 

nongovernmental organizations to work together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, recover 

from, and mitigate the effects of incidents regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, 

in order to reduce the loss of life and property, and harm to the environment. 

• Building upon the Incident Command System (ICS), NIMS provides the Nation’s first 

responders and authorities with the same foundation for incident management for terrorist 

attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. NIMS requires that ICS be 

institutionalized.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.11

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: REVIEW

Visual 1.10

Key Points:

NIMS represents a core set of doctrine, concepts, principles, terminology, and organizational 

processes that enables effective, efficient, and collaborative incident management. 

• Preparedness: Effective emergency management and incident response activities begin 

with a host of preparedness activities conducted on an ongoing basis, in advance of any 

potential incident. Preparedness involves an integrated combination of planning, 

procedures and protocols, training and exercises, personnel qualifications and certification, 

and equipment certification. 

• Communications and Information Management: Emergency management and incident 

response activities rely upon communications and information systems that provide a 

common operating picture to all command and coordination sites. NIMS describes the 

requirements necessary for a standardized framework for communications and emphasizes 

the need for a common operating picture. NIMS is based upon the concepts of

interoperability, reliability, scalability, portability, and the resiliency and redundancy of 

communications and information systems. 

• Resource Management: Resources (such as personnel, equipment, and/or supplies) are 

needed to support critical incident objectives. The flow of resources must be fluid and 

adaptable to the requirements of the incident. NIMS defines standardized mechanisms and 

establishes the resource management process to: identify requirements, order and acquire, 

mobilize, track and report, recover and demobilize, reimburse, and inventory resources. 

(Continued on the next page.)
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.12 Student Manual August 2010

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM: REVIEW

Visual 1.10 (Continued)

• Command and Management: The Command and Management component within NIMS is 

designed to enable effective and efficient incident management and coordination by 

providing flexible, standardized incident management structures. The structures are based 

on three key organizational constructs: the Incident Command System, Multiagency 

Coordination Systems, and Public Information. 

• Ongoing Management and Maintenance: Within the auspices of Ongoing Management 

and Maintenance, there are two components: the National Integration Center (NIC) and 

Supporting Technologies. 
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.13

ICS FEATURES: REVIEW

Visual 1.11

Key Points:

This course builds on what you learned in ICS-100 about ICS features. 

Activity Purpose: To see how much you remember from ICS-100 about ICS features.

Instructions:

1. Your team will have 3 minutes to try to list as many ICS features as you can remember. 

Hint: There are 14 features.

2. Select a spokesperson and recorder.

3. Start writing when the instructor says “go.”

4. Stop when the instructor calls time.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.14 Student Manual August 2010

ICS FEATURES: REVIEW

Visual 1.12

Key Points:

Standardization:

• Common Terminology: Using common terminology helps to define organizational 

functions, incident facilities, resource descriptions, and position titles.

Command:

• Establishment and Transfer of Command: The command function must be clearly 

established from the beginning of an incident. When command is transferred, the process 

must include a briefing that captures all essential information for continuing safe and 

effective operations.

• Chain of Command and Unity of Command: Chain of command refers to the orderly line 

of authority within the ranks of the incident management organization. Unity of command 

means that every individual has a designated supervisor to whom he or she reports at the 

scene of the incident. These principles clarify reporting relationships and eliminate the 

confusion caused by multiple, conflicting directives. Incident managers at all levels must be 

able to control the actions of all personnel under their supervision.

(Continued on the next page.)
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.15

ICS FEATURES: REVIEW

Visual 1.12 (Continued)

• Unified Command: In incidents involving multiple jurisdictions, a single jurisdiction with 

multiagency involvement, or multiple jurisdictions with multiagency involvement, Unified 

Command allows agencies with different legal, geographic, and functional authorities and 

responsibilities to work together effectively without affecting individual agency authority, 

responsibility, or accountability.

Planning/Organizational Structure:

• Management by Objectives: Includes establishing overarching objectives; developing 

strategies based on incident objectives; developing and issuing assignments, plans, 

procedures, and protocols; establishing specific, measurable objectives for various incident 

management functional activities and directing efforts to attain them, in support of defined 

strategies; and documenting results to measure performance and facilitate corrective action.

• Incident Action Planning: Incident Action Plans (IAPs) provide a coherent means of 

communicating the overall incident objectives in the context of both operational and support 

activities.

• Modular Organization: The Incident Command organizational structure develops in a 

modular fashion that is based on the size and complexity of the incident, as well as the 

specifics of the hazard environment created by the incident.

• Manageable Span of Control: Span of control is key to effective and efficient incident 

management. Within ICS, the span of control of any individual with incident management 

supervisory responsibility should range from three to seven subordinates.

Facilities and Resources:

• Comprehensive Resource Management: Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date picture 

of resource utilization is a critical component of incident management. Resources are 

defined as personnel, teams, equipment, supplies, and facilities available or potentially 

available for assignment or allocation in support of incident management and emergency 

response activities.

• Incident Locations and Facilities: Various types of operational support facilities are 

established in the vicinity of an incident to accomplish a variety of purposes. Typical 

designated facilities include Incident Command Posts, Bases, Camps, Staging Areas, Mass 

Casualty Triage Areas, and others as required.

(Continued on the next page.)
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.16 Student Manual August 2010

ICS FEATURES: REVIEW

Visual 1.12 (Continued)

Communications/Information Management:

• Integrated Communications: Incident communications are facilitated through the 

development and use of a common communications plan and interoperable communications 

processes and architectures. 

• Information and Intelligence Management: The incident management organization must 

establish a process for gathering, analyzing, sharing, and managing incident-related 

information and intelligence.

Professionalism:

• Accountability: Effective accountability at all jurisdictional levels and within individual 

functional areas during incident operations is essential. To that end, the following principles 

must be adhered to:

o Check-In: All responders, regardless of agency affiliation, must report in to receive an 

assignment in accordance with the procedures established by the Incident Commander.

o Incident Action Plan: Response operations must be directed and coordinated as 

outlined in the IAP.

o Unity of Command: Each individual involved in incident operations will be assigned to 

only one supervisor.

o Personal Responsibility: All responders are expected to use good judgment and be 

accountable for their actions.

o Span of Control: Supervisors must be able to adequately supervise and control their 

subordinates, as well as communicate with and manage all resources under their 

supervision.

o Resource Tracking: Supervisors must record and report resource status changes as 

they occur.

• Dispatch/Deployment: Personnel and equipment should respond only when requested or 

when dispatched by an appropriate authority.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.17

COURSE STRUCTURE

Visual 1.13

Key Points:

This course will focus on the following ICS features:

• Chain of Command and Unity of Command

• Modular Organization

• Management by Objectives

• Manageable Span of Control

• Transfer of Command

This course includes the following eight units:

• Unit 1: Course Overview (current unit)

• Unit 2: Leadership & Management

• Unit 3: Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

• Unit 4: Functional Areas & Positions

• Unit 5: Briefings

• Unit 6: Organizational Flexibility

• Unit 7: Transfer of Command

• Unit 8: Course Summary

Review the agenda on the last page.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.18 Student Manual August 2010

COURSE LOGISTICS

Visual 1.14

Key Points:

Review the following course logistics:

• Course agenda

• Sign-in sheet

• Housekeeping:

o Breaks

o Message and telephone location

o Cell phone policy

o Facilities

o Other concerns
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 1.19

SUCCESSFUL COURSE COMPLETION

Visual 1.15

Key Points:

Successful course completion requires that you:

• Participate in unit activities/exercises.

• Achieve 75% or higher on the final exam.

• Complete the end-of-course evaluation.

The next unit covers the ICS leadership and management principles.
Unit 1. Course Overview

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 1.20 Student Manual August 2010

ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

Sample Agenda

DAY 1

Morning Session

• Unit 1: Course Overview (1 hour 30 minutes)

• Unit 2: Leadership & Management (2 hours)

Afternoon Session

• Unit 3: Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives (2 hours)

• Unit 4: Functional Areas & Positions (2 hours)

DAY 2

Morning Session

• Unit 5: Briefings (1 hour 30 minutes)

• Unit 6: Organizational Flexibility (1 hour 30 minutes)

Afternoon Session

• Unit 7: Transfer of Command (45 minutes)

• Unit 8: Course Summary (1 hour)
Unit 2: Leadership & Management
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Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe chain of command and formal communication relationships.

• Identify common leadership responsibilities.

• Describe span of control and modular development.

• Describe the use of position titles.

Scope

• Unit Introduction

• Unit Objectives

• Chain of Command and Unity of Command

• Unified Command: Review

• Activity: Unified Command 

• Communications Overview

o Formal Communication

o Informal Communication

• Activity: Incident Communications

• Leadership in Incident Management

• Activity: Incident Leadership

• Leadership Responsibilities

• Leadership Values

• Activity: Building and Damaging Respect

• Communication Responsibilities

• Incident Management Assessment

• Common Terminology

• ICS Management

• Position Titles

• Activity: The Expanding Incident

• Summary

Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.1

UNIT INTRODUCTION

Visual 2.1

Key Points:

The Leadership and Management unit provides a more detailed look at the following ICS 

features:

• Chain of Command and Unity of Command

• Span of Control

• Leadership in Incident Management

• Common Terminology
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.2 Student Manual August 2010

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Visual 2.2

Key Points:

The objectives of this unit are as follows:

• Describe chain of command and formal communication relationships.

• Identify common leadership responsibilities.

• Describe span of control and modular development.

• Describe the use of position titles.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.3

CHAIN OF COMMAND AND UNITY OF COMMAND

Visual 2.3

Key Points:

The visual depicts an orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident management 

organization.

The flow of task assignments and resource requests between participants in the ICS occurs 

only with the person directly above or below them on the organizational chart.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.4 Student Manual August 2010

CHAIN OF COMMAND AND UNITY OF COMMAND

Visual 2.4

Key Points:

Unity of command means that each individual involved in incident operations will be assigned 

– and will report – to only one supervisor.

Chain of command and unity of command help to ensure clear reporting relationships exist and 

eliminate the confusion caused by multiple, conflicting directives. Incident managers at all 

levels must be able to control the actions of all personnel under their supervision.

Unity of command clears up many of the potential communication problems encountered in 

managing incidents or events because each individual maintains a formal communication 

relationship only with his or her immediate supervisor. 

It is important not to confuse unity of command with Unified Command.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.5

CHAIN OF COMMAND AND UNITY OF COMMAND

Visual 2.5

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What is the difference between unity of command and Unified Command?
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.6 Student Manual August 2010

UNIFIED COMMAND: REVIEW

Visual 2.6

Key Points:

Unified Command allows all responsible agencies to manage an incident together by 

establishing a common set of incident objectives and strategies. As a team effort, Unified 

Command overcomes much of the inefficiency and duplication of effort that can occur when 

agencies from different functional and geographic jurisdictions, or agencies at different levels of 

government, operate without a common system or organizational framework.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.7

UNIFIED COMMAND: REVIEW

Visual 2.7

Key Points:

Using Unified Command when appropriate:

• Enables all responsible agencies to manage an incident together by establishing a common 

set of incident objectives and strategies. 

• Allows Incident Commanders to make joint decisions by establishing a single command 

structure at one Incident Command Post (ICP). 

• Maintains unity of command. Each employee reports to only one supervisor. 
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.8 Student Manual August 2010

UNIFIED COMMAND: REVIEW

Visual 2.8

Key Points:

Advantages of using Unified Command include:

• All agencies have an understanding of joint priorities and restrictions.

• A single set of objectives guides incident response.

• A collective approach is used to develop strategies to achieve incident objectives.

• Information flow and coordination are improved between all involved in the incident.

• No agency’s legal authorities will be compromised or neglected.

• Agencies’ efforts are optimized as they perform their respective assignments under a single 

Incident Action Plan.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.9

ACTIVITY: UNIFIED COMMAND

Visual 2.9

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To practice recognizing potential incident management issues.

Instructions: Working with your team . . .

1. Read the scenario in your Student Manual. 

2. Identify the potential incident management issues.

3. List the incident management issues on chart paper.

4. Choose a spokesperson. Be prepared to present your findings to the class in 10 minutes.

Scenario:

A tornado collapsed a building, trapping 15 people in its basement. Fire department officers 

immediately designated a fire station located directly across from the incident site as the 

Incident Command Post (ICP). However, the fire station’s confined location and immediate 

proximity to the incident made it ill-suited for directing the large-scale response effort. As police 

officers arrived on the scene, they decided to establish their Command Center at a school, 

several blocks away from the immediate response activities.

As response operations progressed and a mobile command vehicle became available, the 

Incident Command Post (ICP) was established in that vehicle just north of the hospital. Other 

agencies involved, such as the fire department and emergency medical services, began 

operating near the new ICP location and Incident Commander. The police department 

continued to operate from the school.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.10 Student Manual August 2010

COMMUNICATIONS OVERVIEW

Visual 2.10

Key Points:

Formal communications follow the lines of authority. However, in informal communication, 

information concerning the incident or event can be passed horizontally or vertically within the 

organization without restriction.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.11

FORMAL COMMUNICATION

Visual 2.11

Key Points:

Formal communication should be used when:

• Receiving and giving work assignments. 

• Requesting support or additional resources.

• Reporting progress of assigned tasks.

Discussion Question: 

What are some examples of formal communications within the ICS organization? 
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.12 Student Manual August 2010

INFORMAL COMMUNICATION

Visual 2.12

Key Points:

Informal communication relationships are those situations requiring exchange of incident or 

event information only and do not involve tasking work assignments or requests for support or 

additional resources.

Discussion Question: 

What are some examples of informal communications within the ICS organization? 
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.13

INFORMAL COMMUNICATION

Visual 2.13

Key Points:

Examples of informal communication are as follows:

• The Communications Unit Leader may directly contact the Resources Unit Leader to 

determine the number of persons requiring communications devices.

• The Cost Unit Leader may directly discuss and share information on alternative strategies 

with the Planning Section Chief.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.14 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: INCIDENT COMMUNICATIONS 

Visual 2.14

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To practice identifying communication strategies to avoid problems during

incident operations.

Instructions: Working with your team . . .

1. Read the case study in your Student Manual. 

2. Identify strategies to address the communications problem. 

3. List the strategies on chart paper.

4. Choose a spokesperson. Be prepared to present your findings to the class in 10 minutes.

Case Scenario:

Emergency communications at the Pentagon site proved challenging on September 11, 2001.

Radio communications among emergency responders quickly became overloaded. These 

communication problems persisted throughout rescue operations. There was a need to record 

the identification number and location of each piece of equipment on the Pentagon grounds. 

Radio communications could not be employed to perform this task.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.15

LEADERSHIP IN INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.15

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

Why is leadership an essential element of successful incident/event management?
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.16 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: INCIDENT LEADERSHIP 

Visual 2.16

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To stimulate thought and discussion about desirable leadership qualities.

Instructions: Working with your team . . .

1. Identify a highly effective incident leader you have known or know about.

2. List the main leadership qualities that such an individual must possess.

3. State how these qualities relate to leadership in incident response.

4. Choose a spokesperson. Be prepared to present your findings to the class in 5 minutes.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.17

LEADERSHIP IN INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.17

Key Points:

Relate the discussion from the activity to the following statement about leadership:

Leadership means...

providing purpose, direction, and motivation for responders working to accomplish 

difficult tasks under dangerous, stressful circumstances.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.18 Student Manual August 2010

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Visual 2.18

Key Points:

The safety of all personnel involved in an incident or a planned event is the first duty of ICS 

leadership. This is the overall responsibility of Team Leaders, Group or Division Supervisors, 

Branch Directors, Section Chiefs, and all members of the Command or Unified Command Staff. 

Ensuring safe work practices is the top priority within the ICS common leadership 

responsibilities.

Note the following additional key points about decisionmaking:

• Demonstrating initiative requires the ability to make sound, timely decisions during an 

incident or event. 

• Effective decisionmaking can avert tragedy and help the community recover from the event 

more quickly. 

• Conversely, poor decisionmaking or the absence of decisions potentially can result in injury 

or death to victims or responders. But the repercussions don’t stop there. Poor decisions in 

the early stages of an incident can make the responders’ job more difficult and more 

dangerous. In addition, they can give rise to much more critical or complex decisions.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.19

LEADERSHIP VALUES

Visual 2.19

Key Points:

• Leaders should know, understand, and practice the leadership principles. Leaders need to 

recognize the relationship between these principles and the leadership values.

• Duty is how you value your job. Duty begins with everything required of you by law and 

policy, but it is much more than simply fulfilling requirements. A leader commits to 

excellence in all aspects of his or her professional responsibility. 
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.20 Student Manual August 2010

LEADERSHIP VALUES

Visual 2.20

Key Points:

To demonstrate leadership commitment:

• Take charge within your scope of authority. 

• Be prepared to step out of a tactical role to assume a leadership role. 

• Be proficient in your job, both technically and as a leader.

o Adhere to professional standard operating procedures.

o Develop a plan to accomplish given objectives.

o Develop and improve technical and management skills.

o To prepare for your leadership role, participate in the development of standard operating 

procedures, emergency operations plans, or specific planning for incidents or events.

o Participate in disaster simulation exercises.

o Know agency policies.

• Make sound and timely decisions.

o Maintain situation awareness in order to anticipate needed actions.

o Evaluate situation for:

• Safety.

• Economic concerns.

• Environmental concerns.

• Political concerns.

• Progress of work assignments.

• Problems completing tasks.

o Develop and communicate contingencies within your scope of authority.

(Continued on the next page.)
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.21

LEADERSHIP VALUES

Visual 2.20 (Continued)

• Ensure that tasks are understood.

o Issue clear instructions.

o Observe and assess actions in progress without micro-managing. (Do not become 

excessively involved with tactics. Focus on whether or not the strategies are 

accomplishing the objective.)

o Use positive feedback to modify duties, tasks, and assignments when appropriate.

• Develop your subordinates for the future.

o Clearly state expectations.

o Delegate those tasks that you are not required to do personally.

o Consider individual skill levels and developmental needs when assigning tasks.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.22 Student Manual August 2010

LEADERSHIP VALUES

Visual 2.21

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What can you do to demonstrate your commitment to duty to those you lead?
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.23

LEADERSHIP VALUES

Visual 2.22

Key Points:

• Know your subordinates and look out for their well-being. The workers who follow you 

are your greatest resource. Not all of your workers will succeed equally, but they all deserve 

respect.

• Keep your subordinates and supervisor informed. Provide accurate and timely briefings 

and give the reason (intent) for assignments and tasks. 

• Build the team. Conduct frequent briefings and debriefings with the team to monitor 

progress and identify lessons learned. Consider team experience, fatigue, and physical 

limitations when accepting assignments.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.24 Student Manual August 2010

LEADERSHIP VALUES

Visual 2.23

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To stimulate discussion of the impact of various leadership actions.

Instructions: Working individually . . .

1. List leadership actions that can damage and build respect. 

2. Record your answers on paper in two columns, one labeled “Builds Respect” and the other 

labeled “Damages Respect.”

3. Be prepared to present your findings to the class in 5 minutes.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.25

LEADERSHIP VALUES

Visual 2.24

Key Points:

• Integrity is how you value yourself. You must be in charge of yourself, before you can be 

in charge of others. Leaders with integrity separate what is right from what is wrong and act 

according to what they know is right, even at personal cost.

• Integrity means knowing yourself and seeking improvement.

o Know the strengths/weaknesses in your character and skill level. 

o Ask questions of peers and superiors. 

o Actively listen to feedback from subordinates. 

• Integrity means seeking responsibility and accepting responsibility for your actions.

o Accept full responsibility for and correct poor team performance.

o Credit subordinates for good performance.

o Keep your superiors informed of your actions.

Discussion Question: 

What acts of integrity have you witnessed at an incident response?
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.26 Student Manual August 2010

COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Visual 2.25

Key Points:

One common responsibility of all members of the ICS organization is communication. Key 

points:

• The most effective form of communication is face-to-face. Obviously, this is not always 

possible. 

• Regardless of the means of communication required by the incident, all responders have 

five communication responsibilities to perform:

o Brief others as needed.

o Debrief their actions.

o Communicate hazards to others.

o Acknowledge messages.

o Ask if they don’t know.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.27

COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES

Visual 2.26

Key Points:

All leaders have the responsibility to provide complete briefings that include clearly stated 

incident objectives. The following elements should be included in all briefings:

• Task. What is to be done 

• Purpose. Why it is to be done 

• End State. How it should look when done
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.28 Student Manual August 2010

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT

Visual 2.27

Key Points:

• Management is an important leadership responsibility. 

• Assessments should be conducted after a major activity in order to allow employees and 

leaders to discover what happened and why. 

• Common assessment methods include: 

o Corrective action report/after-action review.

o Post-incident analysis.

o Debriefing.

o Post-incident critique.

o Mitigation plans.

According to NIMS, “Corrective action plans are designed to implement procedures that are 

based on lessons learned from actual incidents or from training and exercises. Mitigation plans 

describe activities that can be taken prior to, during, or after an incident to reduce or eliminate 

risks to persons or property or to lessen the actual or potential effects or consequences of an 

incident.”
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.29

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT

Visual 2.28

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What questions would you use to assess the effectiveness of incident management?
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.30 Student Manual August 2010

COMMON TERMINOLOGY

Visual 2.29

Key Points:

ICS establishes common terminology that allows diverse incident management and support 

entities to work together. Major functions and functional units with incident management 

responsibilities are named and defined. Terminology for the organizational elements involved is 

standard and consistent.

• Organizational Functions. Major functions and functional units with domestic incident 

management responsibilities are named and defined. Terminology for the organizational 

elements involved is standard and consistent.

• Incident Facilities. Common terminology is used to designate the facilities in the vicinity of 

the incident area that will be used in the course of incident management activities.

• Resource Descriptions. Major resources—including personnel, facilities, and major 

equipment and supply items—used to support incident management activities are given 

common names and are “typed” with respect to their capabilities, to help avoid confusion 

and to enhance interoperability. 

• Position Titles. At each level within the ICS organization, individuals with primary 

responsibility have distinct titles. Titles provide a common standard for all users, and also 

make it easier to fill ICS positions with qualified personnel.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.31

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.30

Key Points:

The ICS organization: 

• Is typically structured to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: command, 

operations, planning, logistics, and finance and administration.

• Is adaptable to any emergency or incident to which domestic incident management 

agencies would be expected to respond.

• Has a scalable organizational structure that is based on the size and complexity of the 

incident. 

However, this flexibility does NOT allow for the modification of the standard, common language 

used to refer to organizational components or positions. 

Note: Refer to the enlarged version of this graphic on the next page in your Student Manuals.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.32 Student Manual August 2010

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.30 (Continued)

ICS Organization

The ICS organizational chart shown above includes the following Command Staff: Incident Commander, 

Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, and Liaison Officer. General Staff includes the Operations, 

Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Admin. Sections. 

Within the Operations Section there are two Branches. Subordinate to the Branches are Divisions and 

Groups. Under the Division there is a Strike Team, Task Force, and Single Resource.

Within the Planning Section the following Units are shown: Resources, Situation, Demobilization, and 

Documentation.

Within the Logistics Section two Branches are shown: the Service Branch with Communications, Medical, 

and Food Units, and the Support Branch with Supply, Facilities, and Ground Support Units.

Within the Finance/Admin. Section the following Units are shown: Time, Procurement, 

Compensation/Claims, and Cost.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.33

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.31

Key Points:

Discussion Questions:

Who is the point of contact for representatives of other governmental agencies, 

nongovernmental organizations, and/or private entities? 

Which Section is responsible for all support requirements needed to facilitate effective 

and efficient incident management, including ordering resources from off-incident 

locations? 

Who handles media and public inquiries, emergency public information and warnings, 

rumor monitoring and response, and media monitoring, and coordinates the 

dissemination of information in an accurate and timely manner? 

Which Section collects, evaluates, and disseminates incident situation information and 

intelligence? 

Which Section would perform cost analysis and contracting services? 

(Continued on the next page.)
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.34 Student Manual August 2010

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.31 (Continued)

Discussion Questions:

Who is responsible for monitoring incident operations and advising the Incident 

Commander on all matters relating to operational safety, including the health and safety 

of emergency responder personnel? 

Within which Section would you find a Strike Team? 

When would a Division be used? 
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.35

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.32

Key Points:

• Span of control is key to effective and efficient incident management. Maintaining an 

effective span of control is important because safety and accountability are a priority. 

• Within ICS, the span of control of any individual with incident management supervisory 

responsibility should range from three to seven subordinates. If a supervisor has fewer than 

three people reporting, or more than seven, some adjustment to the organization should be 

considered. Monitoring the span of control in the ICS organization is a major responsibility 

of the Incident Commander.

• Optimally, span of control is five subordinates.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.36 Student Manual August 2010

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.33

Key Points:

• The type and complexity of incident, nature of the task, distances between personnel and 

resources, and hazards and safety factors all influence span-of-control considerations.

• Provide examples from personal experience of incidents that would use a span of control of 

three or four subordinates to a supervisor.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.37

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.34

Key Points:

• The ICS organization adheres to a “form follows function” philosophy. The size of the 

current organization and that of the next operational period is determined through the 

incident action planning process.

• Because ICS is a modular concept, managing span of control is accomplished by organizing 

resources into Teams, Divisions, Groups, Branches, or Sections when the supervisor-tosubordinate ratio exceeds seven, or by reorganizing or demobilizing Sections, Branches, 

Divisions, Groups, or Teams when the ratio falls below three or the incident objectives have 

been met.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.38 Student Manual August 2010

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.35

Key Points:

The initial response to most domestic incidents is typically handled by local “911” dispatch 

centers, emergency responders within a single jurisdiction, and direct supporters of emergency 

responders. Most responses need go no further. 

Most incidents are small responses that include:

• Command. Incident Commander and other Command Staff.

• Single Resources. An individual piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or an 

established crew or team of individuals with an identified work supervisor that can be used 

on an incident.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.39

ICS MANAGEMENT

Visual 2.36

Key Points:

• Incidents that begin with single resources may rapidly expand requiring significant additional 

resources and operational support.

• Expanding incidents may add supervisory layers to the organizational structure as needed.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.40 Student Manual August 2010

POSITION TITLES

Visual 2.37

Key Points:

At each level within the ICS organization, individuals with primary responsibility positions have 

distinct titles. Using specific ICS position titles serves these important purposes:

• Provides a common standard.

• Ensures qualified individuals fill positions.

• Ensures that requested personnel are qualified.

• Standardizes communication.

• Describes the responsibilities of the position.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.41

POSITION TITLES

Visual 2.38

Key Points:

Take a moment to review the information contained 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
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.42 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: THE EXPANDING INCIDENT

Visual 2.39

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice at maintaining span of control by adjusting the ICS 

organization structure as an expanding scenario incident unfolds.

Instructions: Working with your team . . .

1. Review the scenario on the next page.

2. Using an organization chart format, identify the supervisory structures (Divisions, Branches, 

Groups, Strike Teams, or Task Forces) that you would use to ensure a proper span of 

control for the resources currently on the scene.

3. For each organizational element, indicate the title of its supervisor. 

4. Choose a spokesperson. Be prepared to present your organizational charts to the class in 

15 minutes.
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 2.43

ACTIVITY: THE EXPANDING INCIDENT

Visual 2.39 (Continued)

Scenario:

A swim meet is being held at the Main Street pool with 30 team members and 50 observers. 

During a race, a sudden electrical storm sends a lightning bolt into a flagpole near the pool and 

the charge arcs to the water. The pool is instantly electrified, sending guards and parents into 

the pool to rescue the children. The primary objectives are saving lives and ensuring safety.

On-Scene Resources: Local Police: 4 Marked Units; State Police: 2 Marked Units; Fire: 2 

Engine Companies; Rescue: 1 Company; and EMS: 5 Basic Life Support and 2 Advanced Life 

Support 
Unit 2. Leadership & Management

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 2.44 Student Manual August 2010

SUMMARY

Visual 2.40

Key Points:

Are you now able to:

• Describe chain of command and formal communication relationships?

• Identify common leadership responsibilities?

• Describe span of control and modular development?

• Describe the use of position titles?

The next unit presents information about delegation of authority and management by objectives.
Unit 3: Delegation of Authority & 

Management by Objectives
This page intentionally left blank.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe the delegation of authority process.

• Describe scope of authority.

• Define management by objectives.

• Explain the importance of preparedness plans and agreements.

Scope

• Unit Introduction

• Unit Objectives

• Delegation of Authority Process

• Activity: Delegating Authority

• Implementing Authorities

• Management by Objectives

• Activity: Adding Incident Objectives

• Preparedness Plans and Agreements

• Activity: Developing Incident Objectives

• Summary

Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.1

UNIT INTRODUCTION

Visual 3.1

Key Points:

The Delegation of Authority and Management by Objectives unit introduces you to the 

delegation of authority process, implementing authorities, management by objectives, and 

preparedness plans and objectives.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.2 Student Manual August 2010

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.2

Key Points:

The objectives of this unit are as follows:

• Describe the delegation of authority process.

• Describe scope of authority.

• Define management by objectives.

• Explain the importance of preparedness plans and agreements.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.3

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.3

Key Points:

Authority is a right or obligation to act on behalf of a department, agency, or jurisdiction.

• In most jurisdictions, the responsibility for the protection of the citizens rests with the chief 

elected official. Elected officials have the authority to make decisions, commit resources, 

obligate funds, and command the resources necessary to protect the population, stop the 

spread of damage, and protect the environment.

• In private industry, this same responsibility and authority rests with the chief executive 

officer.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.4 Student Manual August 2010

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.4

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

Within your jurisdiction or agency, who has the authority for protecting citizens and 

responding to incidents?
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.5

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.5

Key Points:

An Incident Commander’s scope of authority is derived:

• From existing laws, agency policies, and procedures, and/or

• Through a delegation of authority from the agency administrator or elected official.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.6 Student Manual August 2010

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.6

Key Points:

The process of granting authority to carry out specific functions is called the delegation of 

authority. Delegation of authority:

• Grants authority to carry out specific functions.

• Is issued by the chief elected official, chief executive officer, or agency administrator in 

writing or verbally.

• Allows the Incident Commander to assume command.

• Does NOT relieve the granting authority of the ultimate responsibility for the incident.

Ideally, this authority will be granted in writing. Whether it is granted in writing or verbally, the 

authorities granted remain with the Incident Commander until such time as the incident is 

terminated, or a relief shift Incident Commander is appointed, or the Incident Commander is 

relieved of his or her duties for just cause. 
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.7

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.7

Key Points:

A delegation of authority may be needed:

• When the incident is outside the Incident Commander’s jurisdiction.

• When the incident scope is complex or beyond existing authorities.

• When required by law or procedures.

A delegation of authority may not be required if the Incident Commander is acting within his or 

her existing authorities. For example:

• An emergency manager may already have the authority to deploy response resources to a 

small flash flood.

• A fire chief probably has the authority (as part of the job description) to serve as an Incident 

Commander at a structure fire.

Discussion Question:

Can you think of other instances when a delegation of authority may not be necessary.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.8 Student Manual August 2010

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.8

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

When would an Incident Commander in your jurisdiction or agency need a delegation of 

authority?
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.9

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.9

Key Points:

A delegation of authority should include the following elements:

• Legal authorities and restrictions.

• Financial authorities and restrictions.

• Reporting requirements.

• Demographic issues.

• Political implications.

• Agency or jurisdictional priorities.

• Plan for public information management.

• Process for communications. 

• Plan for ongoing incident evaluation.

The delegation should also specify when the incident will be achieved prior to a transfer of 

command or release.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.10 Student Manual August 2010

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY PROCESS

Visual 3.10

Key Points:

The final responsibility for the resolution of the incident remains with the chief elected official, 

chief executive officer, or agency administrator. It is imperative then that the chief elected 

official, chief executive officer, or agency administrator remain an active participant, supporter, 

supervisor, and evaluator of the Incident Commander.

Discussion Question: 

How do you ensure that the delegating authority remains an active part of the incident 

response?
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.11

ACTIVITY: DELEGATING AUTHORITY 

Visual 3.11

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To identify and reinforce ways that incident management personnel can 

keep their agency executives involved and informed during an incident.

Instructions: Working in your team:

1. Read the case study in your Student Manual.

2. Identify the steps you would take to keep the agency executives involved in this incident. 

3. List the steps on chart paper.

Case Study:

The Beltway sniper case was one of the most infamous crimes in recent law enforcement, 

instilling fear in thousands of people. According to the after-action report, communication was 

clearly the most compelling concern in the sniper case. Investigations of this kind succeed or 

fail based on executives’ ability to effectively manage and communicate information in a timely 

manner. Incident Commanders must balance the incident needs with the obligations of local 

executives to be responsive to their citizens. In the words of one police chief, “You cannot 

expect leaders to stop leading.”
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.12 Student Manual August 2010

IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITIES

Visual 3.12

Key Points:

Within his or her scope of authority, the Incident Commander establishes incident objectives, 

then determines strategies, resources, and ICS structure. The Incident Commander must also 

have the authority to establish an ICS structure adequate to protect the safety of responders 

and citizens, to control the spread of damage, and to protect the environment.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.13

MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.13

Key Points:

ICS is managed by objectives. Objectives are communicated throughout the entire ICS 

organization through the incident planning process. 

Management by objectives includes: 

• Establishing overarching objectives.

• Developing and issuing assignments, plans, procedures, and protocols.

• Establishing specific, measurable objectives for various incident management functional 

activities.

• Directing efforts to attain them, in support of defined strategic objectives.

• Documenting results to measure performance and facilitate corrective action.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.14 Student Manual August 2010

MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.14

Key Points:

The process for establishing and implementing incident objectives involves the following steps. 

• Step 1: Understand agency policy and direction. 

• Step 2: Assess incident situation. 

• Step 3: Establish incident objectives.

• Step 4: Select appropriate strategy or strategies to achieve objectives.

• Step 5: Perform tactical direction.

• Step 6: Provide necessary followup.

The Incident Commander must have a firm grasp of the policies and direction of his or her 

agency or jurisdiction. Laws, regulations, and policies of that agency or jurisdiction will govern 

the Incident Commander’s scope of authority to act and, therefore, the objectives established.

Note that the ICS-300 course presents more training in setting objectives and the planning 

process cycle.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.15

MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.15

Key Points:

In an initial incident, a size-up is done to set the immediate incident objectives.

The first responder to arrive must assume command and size up the situation by determining:

• Nature and magnitude of the incident.

• Hazards and safety concerns:

o Hazards facing response personnel and the public

o Evacuation and warnings

o Injuries and casualties 

o Need to secure and isolate the area

• Initial priorities and immediate resource requirements.

• The location of the Incident Command Post and Staging Area.

• Entrance and exit routes for responders.

Discussion Question: 

What additional factors might you consider when conducting a size-up?
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.16 Student Manual August 2010

MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.16

Key Points:

Throughout the incident, objectives are established based on the following priorities:

• First Priority: Life Safety

• Second Priority: Incident Stabilization

• Third Priority: Property Preservation
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.17

MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.17

Key Points:

Incident objectives must describe what must be accomplished and provide substantive direction 

for work at the incident.

For full effectiveness, incident objectives must be:

• Specific – Is the wording precise and unambiguous?

• Measurable – How will achievements be measured?

• Action Oriented – Is an action verb used to describe expected accomplishments?

• Realistic – Is the outcome achievable with given available resources?

• Time Sensitive – What is the timeframe (if applicable)?
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.18 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: ADDING INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.18

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice at developing incident objectives for a scenario.

Instructions: Working in your team:

1. Read the following scenario in your Student Manual.

2. Next, review the sample incident objectives

3. Determine what other incident objectives you would add for this incident. 

4. List the objectives on chart paper and select a spokesperson.

5. Be prepared to present your additional objectives to the class in 5 minutes.

Scenario: At noon a sudden, severe windstorm strikes the city, uprooting trees, and trapping 

several commuters in their vehicles. Power is out to half of the city. Traffic is gridlocked. The 

storm has passed as quickly as it began.

Sample Incident Objectives:

• Identify life-safety priorities and initial resource needs for the first 2 hours by 12:30.

• Begin rescue operations before 12:45.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.19

MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.19

Key Points:

Incident objectives, strategies, and tactics are three fundamental pieces of a successful incident 

response.

• Incident objectives state what will be accomplished.

• Strategies establish the general plan or direction for accomplishing the incident objectives.

• Tactics specify how the strategies will be executed.

The Incident Commander is responsible for establishing goals and selecting strategies. The 

Operations Section, if it is established, is responsible for determining appropriate tactics for an 

incident.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.20 Student Manual August 2010

MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.20

Key Points:

An Incident Action Plan (IAP) covers an operational period and includes:

• What must be done.

• Who is responsible.

• How information will be communicated.

• What should be done if someone is injured.

The operational period is the period of time scheduled for execution of a given set of tactical 

actions as specified in the IAP.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.21

PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND AGREEMENTS

Visual 3.21

Key Points:

The Incident Commander, as well as the Command and General Staffs, should have a working 

knowledge of jurisdictional and agency preparedness plans and agreements.

Preparedness plans may take many forms. The most common preparedness plans are:

• Federal, State, or local Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs).

• Standard operating guidelines (SOGs).

• Standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Jurisdictional or agency policies.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.22 Student Manual August 2010

PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND AGREEMENTS

Visual 3.22

Key Points:

• EOPs are developed at the Federal, State, and local levels to provide a uniform response to 

all hazards that a community may face.

• EOPs written after October 2005 must be consistent with the National Incident Management 

System (NIMS).

• NIMS is mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 5, which directs the 

Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management 

System. According to HSPD-5: 

“This system will provide a consistent nationwide approach for Federal, State, tribal, and 

local governments to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to, and 

recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity. To provide for 

interoperability and compatibility among Federal, State, tribal, and local capabilities, the 

NIMS will include a core set of concepts, principles, terminology, and technologies covering 

the incident command system; multiagency coordination systems; unified command; 

training; identification and management of resources (including systems for classifying types 

of resources); qualifications and certification; and the collection, tracking, and reporting of 

incident information and incident resources.”
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.23

PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND AGREEMENTS

Visual 3.23

Key Points:

NIMS states that:

• Mutual aid agreements and assistance agreements are agreements between agencies, 

organizations, and jurisdictions that provide a mechanism to quickly obtain emergency 

assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials, and other associated services.

• Jurisdictions should be party to agreements with the appropriate jurisdictions and/or 

organizations from which they expect to receive, or to which they expect to provide, 

assistance.

Note: The United States has a trust relationship with Indian tribes and recognizes their right to 

self-government. As such, tribal governments are responsible for coordinating resources to 

address actual or potential incidents. When local resources are not adequate, tribal leaders 

seek assistance from States or the Federal Government.

For certain types of Federal assistance, tribal governments work with the State, but as 

sovereign entities they can elect to deal directly with the Federal Government for other types of 

assistance. In order to obtain Federal assistance via the Stafford Act, a State Governor must 

request a Presidential declaration on behalf of a tribe.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.24 Student Manual August 2010

PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND AGREEMENTS

Visual 3.24

Key Points:

• Mutual aid is the voluntary provision of resources by agencies or organizations to assist 

each other when existing resources are inadequate.

• When combined with NIMS-oriented resource management, mutual aid allows jurisdictions 

to share resources among mutual aid partners.

• At a minimum, mutual aid agreements should include the following elements or provisions:

o Definitions of key terms used in the agreement;

o Roles and responsibilities of individual parties;

o Procedures for requesting and providing assistance;

o Procedures, authorities, and rules for payment, reimbursement, and allocation of costs;

o Notification procedures;

o Protocols for interoperable communications;

o Relationships with other agreements among jurisdictions;

o Workers compensation;

o Treatment of liability and immunity;

o Recognition of qualifications and certifications; and

o Sharing agreements, as required.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.25

PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND AGREEMENTS

Visual 3.25

Key Points:

Mutual aid agreements and assistance agreements are used at all levels of government:

• Local jurisdictions participate in mutual aid through agreements with neighboring 

jurisdictions.

• States can participate in mutual aid through the Emergency Management Assistance 

Compact (EMAC).

• Federal agencies offer mutual aid to each other and to States, tribes, and territories under 

the National Response Framework (NRF).
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.26 Student Manual August 2010

PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND AGREEMENTS 

Visual 3.26

Key Points:

Plans may include information about:

• Hazards and risks in the area. 

• Resources in the area.

• Other formal agreements and plans.

• Contact information for agency administrators and response personnel.

• Other pertinent information.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.27

PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND AGREEMENTS 

Visual 3.27

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What preparedness plans, agreements, and standard operating procedures must you 

follow in responding to incidents?
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.28 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: DEVELOPING INCIDENT OBJECTIVES

Visual 3.28

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice in working with a team to develop incident objectives

for a scenario.

Instructions: Working in your team:

1. Review the scenario, scenario map, and resource list in your Student Manuals.

2. Develop incident objectives for the next 12 hours.

3. Next, identify your general strategy for accomplishing these objectives.

4. Select a spokesperson and be prepared to present your work in 30 minutes.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.29

ACTIVITY: DEVELOPING INCIDENT OBJECTIVES 

Visual 3.28 (Continued)

Emerald City Flood

Situation:

Your Incident Management Team has been asked to assist Emerald City in its preparations for 

a response to a possible flood situation in the northwest quadrant of the city. National Weather 

Service (NWS) reports indicate that it has been raining heavily for the past 7 days, averaging 

1.3 inches of rain each 24-hour period.

The Rapid River, which runs north and south through Emerald City, is experiencing slow-rise 

flooding. The flooding is being aggravated by debris catching on the low bridge downstream 

from lower Lake Emerald. The bridge is located on 10th St., just west of Main St.

Located upstream from the bridge is the Lake Emerald Independent Living Complex, which 

includes independent living apartments to the south, two buildings of assisted living units, and 

one skilled nursing facility. These are located to the east of the bridge. To the west are the 

Gordon Elementary School and the water treatment plant. Just to the north and east of Lake 

Emerald is the Industrial Park.

It is 1200 hours, and the NWS has just informed the County Emergency Management Office 

that the flooding is expected to crest at 1800 today. It is expected that this flood crest will cause 

flooding as indicated on the projected floodplain map.

Residents in the area north of the 10th St. bridge from Main St. on the east to Avenue AA on the 

west are being asked to evacuate their homes in anticipation that the rising floodwaters may cut 

off access to and egress from their homes. Basement flooding at least to the first-floor level is 

anticipated. This evacuation area extends north to 19th St. County Emergency Management is 

in contact with business owners in the Industrial Park to determine if any of their stored 

chemicals will be affected by the flooding, causing possible contamination downstream.

In addition, the County Emergency Management Office has been receiving calls from residents 

in the rural area to the northwest of the city with concerns about the floodwaters approaching 

their wells.

Weather:

Current pattern continues through midnight, then partial clearing. Highs in the mid 40s, lows in 

the high 30s. Chance of precipitation 60% through midnight, reducing to 40% after midnight. 

Expected precipitation next 24 hours is 0.75 inches. Winds from the west 10-15 mph.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.30 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: DEVELOPING INCIDENT OBJECTIVES 

Visual 3.28 (Continued)

Emerald City Flood

Resources:

• County Emergency Management:

o County Director

o Deputy Director

o Program Assistant

• County Health Department:

o Public Health Director

o 4 Public Health Nurses

o 2 administrative staff

o Mutual aid and assistance agreements in place with 6 neighboring counties could allow 

for an additional 14 public health staff.

• American Red Cross (ARC):

o 3 full-time staff

o Approximately 45 trained volunteers

o 1 Emergency Response Vehicle

• Mutual Aid:

o State ARC resources

o Salvation Army

o Mennonites

• Shelters:

o Lawrence Senior High School

o Lafayette Middle School

o Gordon Elementary School

• Fire and EMS: The following resources are within close proximity and available for

response:

o 3 engine companies (4 personnel each)

o 1 truck company (4 personnel each)

o 3 basic life support ambulances (2 EMTs)

o 1 advanced life support ambulance (2 paramedics)

o 1 Mobile Command Vehicle

• Law Enforcement:

o Units within close proximity: 1 sergeant, 3 officers

o Other responding units: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 3 sergeants, 8 officers, mobile 

command post (6 officers remain in service elsewhere in the city)

o County Sheriff’s Office: 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 6 deputies

o State Troopers: 2 sergeants, 8 troopers

o 1 Tactical Mobile Command Vehicle
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.31

ACTIVITY: DEVELOPING INCIDENT OBJECTIVES 

Visual 3.28 (Continued)

Emerald City Flood

Resources:

• Department of Public Works:

o Emerald City

 6 dump trucks

 2 road graders

 4 front loaders

 2 backhoes

 6 pickup trucks

o Available mutual aid

 20 dump trucks

 6 road graders

 6 front loaders

 8 backhoes

 22 pickup trucks

OTHER AGENCIES THAT MAY OR WILL RESPOND

• Emerald City Memorial Hospital

• Edison Electric

• Commonwealth Gas Company

• City Water Authority

• City Transit Authority

• County School District (buses available)

Media:

• 3 (local) newspaper reporters

• 2 network reporters and crews

• 5 radio station news staff members

• 3 TV reporters and crews (WLOX, WEMI, WCSU)

• 1 TV helicopter (WEMI) 
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.32 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: DEVELOPING INCIDENT OBJECTIVES 

Visual 3.28 (Continued)

Emerald City Flood
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 3.33

SUMMARY

Visual 3.29

Key Points:

Are you now able to:

• Describe the delegation of authority process?

• Describe scope of authority?

• Define management by objectives?

• Explain the importance of preparedness plans and agreements?

The next unit presents information about the functional areas and positions.
Unit 3. Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 3.34 Student Manual August 2010

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Unit 4: Functional Areas & Positions
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Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe the functions of organizational positions within the Incident Command System 

(ICS).

• Identify the ICS tools needed to manage an incident.

• Demonstrate the use of an ICS Form 201, Incident Briefing.

Scope

• Unit Introduction

• Unit Objectives

• Command Staff

• Expanding Incidents

• General Staff

• ICS Tools

• Activity: Using ICS Form 201, Incident Briefing

• Summary

Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.1

UNIT INTRODUCTION

Visual 4.1

Key Points:

The Functional Areas and Positions unit introduces you to ICS organizational components, the 

Command Staff, the General Staff, and ICS tools.

This unit presents information that is similar to materials covered in the ICS-100 course. The 

discussion of the positions will be more detailed than the coverage in the ICS-100 course.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.2 Student Manual August 2010

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Visual 4.2

Key Points:

The objectives of this unit are as follows:

• Describe the functions of organizational positions within the Incident Command System 

(ICS).

• Identify the ICS tools needed to manage an incident.

• Demonstrate the use of an ICS Form 201, Incident Briefing.

This unit provides more indepth information on ICS.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.3

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.3

Key Points:

The Incident Commander:

• Has overall incident management responsibility delegated by the appropriate jurisdictional 

authority.

• Develops the incident objectives to guide the incident planning process.

• Approves the Incident Action Plan and all requests pertaining to the ordering and releasing 

of incident resources.

In some situations or agencies, a lower ranking but more qualified person may be designated as 

the Incident Commander.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.4 Student Manual August 2010

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.4

Key Points:

The Incident Commander performs all major ICS Command and General Staff responsibilities 

unless these functions are activated.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.5

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.5

Key Points:

The Incident Commander may have one or more Deputies. Deputies may be assigned at the 

Incident Command, Section, or Branch levels. The only ICS requirement regarding the use of a 

Deputy is that the Deputy must be fully qualified and equally capable to assume the position.

The three primary reasons to designate a Deputy Incident Commander are to:

• Perform specific tasks as requested by the Incident Commander.

• Perform the incident command function in a relief capacity (e.g., to take over for the next 

operational period). In this case, the Deputy will assume the primary role.

• Represent an assisting agency that may share jurisdiction or have jurisdiction in the future.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.6 Student Manual August 2010

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.6

Key Points:

The Command Staff is only activated in response to the needs of the incident. The Command 

Staff includes the following positions:

• Public Information Officer

• Liaison Officer

• Safety Officer
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.7

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.7

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What are the major responsibilities of the Public Information Officer?
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.8 Student Manual August 2010

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.8

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What are some examples of types of incidents where you might activate a Safety Officer? 
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.9

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.9

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What are the major responsibilities of the Liaison Officer?
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.10 Student Manual August 2010

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.10

Key Points:

In a large or complex incident, Command Staff members may need one or more Assistants to 

help manage their workloads. Each Command Staff member is responsible for organizing his or 

her Assistants for maximum efficiency. Assistants are subordinates of principal Command Staff 

positions.

As the title indicates, Assistants should have a level of technical capability, qualifications, and 

responsibility subordinate to the primary positions.

Assistants may also be assigned to Unit Leaders (e.g., at camps to supervise unit activities).
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.11

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.11

Key Points:

• An agency or jurisdiction will often send resources to assist at an incident. In ICS these are 

called assisting agencies.

• An assisting agency is defined as an agency or organization providing personnel, services, 

or other resources to the agency with direct responsibility for incident management.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.12 Student Manual August 2010

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.12

Key Points:

• A cooperating agency is an agency supplying assistance other than direct operational or 

support functions or resources to the incident management effort.

• Don’t get confused between an assisting agency and a cooperating agency! 

An assisting agency has direct responsibility for incident response, whereas a cooperating 

agency is simply offering assistance.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.13

COMMAND STAFF

Visual 4.13

Key Points:

• An Agency Representative is an individual assigned to an incident from an assisting or 

cooperating agency. 

• The Agency Representative is delegated authority to make decisions on matters affecting 

that agency’s participation at the incident.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.14 Student Manual August 2010

EXPANDING INCIDENTS

Visual 4.14

Key Points:

• An incident may start small and then expand. As the incident grows in scope and the 

number of resources needed increases, there may be a need to activate Teams, Divisions, 

Groups, Branches, or Sections to maintain an appropriate span of control.

• The ability to delegate the supervision of resources not only frees up the Incident 

Commander to perform critical decisionmaking and evaluation duties, but also clearly 

defines the lines of communication to everyone involved in the incident.

• Next, you’ll review the major organizational elements that may be activated during an 

expanding incident.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.15

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.15

Key Points:

The Operations Section is responsible for all activities focused on reducing the immediate 

hazard, saving lives and property, establishing situational control, and restoring normal 

operations.

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.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.16 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.16

Key Points:

The Operations Section Chief:

• Is responsible to the Incident Commander for the direct management of all incident-related 

operational activities.

• Establishes tactical objectives for each operational period.

• Has direct involvement in the preparation of the Incident Action Plan.

The Operations Section Chief may have one or more Deputies assigned. The assignment of 

Deputies from other agencies may be advantageous in the case of multijurisdictional incidents.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.17

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.17

Key Points:

Discussion Question:

What do you consider when selecting the location for a Staging Area.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.18 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.18

Key Points:

• Staging Areas are set up at the incident where resources can wait for a tactical assignment.

• All resources in the Staging Area are assigned and ready for deployment. Out-of-service 

resources are NOT located at the Staging Area.

• After a Staging Area has been designated and named, a Staging Area Manager will be 

assigned. The Staging Area Manager will report to the Operations Section Chief or to the 

Incident Commander if the Operations Section Chief has not been designated.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.19

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.19

Key Points:

After a Staging Area has been designated and named, a Staging Area Manager will be 

assigned. The Staging Area Manager will report to the Operations Section Chief, or to the 

Incident Commander if an Operations Section Chief has not been designated.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.20 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.20

Key Points:

• Divisions are established to divide an incident into physical or geographical areas of 

operation.

• Groups are established to divide the incident into functional areas of operation.

• For example, a Damage Assessment Task Force, reporting to the Infrastructure Group 

Leader, could work across divisions established to manage two distinct areas of the building 

that had been damaged — the west side of the building (West Division) and the north side 

(North Division).
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.21

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.21

Key Points:

• Branches may be used to serve several purposes, and may be functional or geographic in 

nature. 

• In general, Branches are established when the number of Divisions or Groups exceeds the 

recommended span of control of one supervisor to three to seven subordinates for the 

Operations Section Chief.

• Branches are identified by Roman numerals or functional name.

• Branches are managed by a Branch Director. Branch Directors may have deputy positions 

as required. In multiagency incidents, the use of Deputy Branch Directors from assisting 

agencies can be of great benefit to ensure and enhance interagency coordination.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.22 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.22

Key Points:

• Some incidents may require the use of aviation resources to provide tactical or logistical 

support. On smaller incidents, aviation resources will be limited in number and will report 

directly to the Incident Commander or to the Operations Section Chief.

• On larger incidents, it may be desirable to activate a separate Air Operations organization to 

coordinate the use of aviation resources. The Air Operations organization will then be 

established at the Branch level, reporting directly to the Operations Section Chief.

• The Air Operations Branch Director can establish two functional groups. The Air Tactical 

Group coordinates all airborne activity. The Air Support Group provides all incident groundbased support to aviation resources.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.23

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.23

Key Points:

The Planning Section will have responsibility for:

• Maintaining resource status.

• Maintaining and displaying situation status.

• Preparing the Incident Action Plan (IAP).

• Developing alternative strategies

• Providing documentation services.

• Preparing the Demobilization Plan.

• Providing a primary location for technical specialists assigned to an incident.

The Planning Section is typically responsible for gathering and disseminating information and 

intelligence critical to the incident, unless the Incident Commander places this function 

elsewhere.

One of the most important functions of the Planning Section is to look beyond the current and 

next operational period and anticipate potential problems or events.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.24 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.24

Key Points:

The Planning Section will have a Planning Section Chief. The Planning Section Chief may have 

a Deputy. Technical Specialists:

• Are advisors with special skills required at the incident.

• Will initially report to the Planning Section, work within that Section, or be reassigned to 

another part of the organization.

• Can be in any discipline required (e.g., epidemiology, infection control, chemical-biologicalnuclear agents, etc.).
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.25

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.25

Key Points:

Discussion Question:

What are the major responsibilities of each Planning Unit?
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.26 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.26

Key Points:

Early recognition of the need for a Logistics Section can reduce time and money spent on an 

incident. The Logistics Section is responsible for all support requirements, including:

• Communications.

• Medical support to incident personnel.

• Food for incident personnel.

• Supplies, facilities, and ground support.

It is important to remember that Logistics Unit functions, except for the Supply Unit, are geared 

to supporting personnel and resources directly assigned to the incident.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.27

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.27

Key Points:

The Service Branch may be made up of the following units:

• The Communications Unit is responsible for developing plans for the effective use of 

incident communications equipment and facilities, installation and testing of communications 

equipment, supervision of the Incident Communications Center, distribution of 

communications equipment to incident personnel, and maintenance and repair of 

communications equipment.

• The Medical Unit is responsible for the development of the Medical Plan, obtaining medical 

aid and transportation for injured and ill incident personnel, and preparation of reports and 

records.

• The Food Unit is responsible for supplying the food needs for the entire incident, including 

all remote locations (e.g., Camps, Staging Areas), as well as providing food for personnel 

unable to leave tactical field assignments.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.28 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.28

Key Points:

The Support Branch within the Logistics Section may include the following units:

• The Supply Unit is responsible for ordering personnel, equipment, and supplies; receiving 

and storing all supplies for the incident; maintaining an inventory of supplies; and servicing 

nonexpendable supplies and equipment.

• The Facilities Unit is responsible for the layout and support of incident facilities (e.g., Base, 

Camp(s), and Incident Command Post (ICP)). The Facilities Unit Leader provides sleeping 

and sanitation facilities for incident personnel and manages Base and Camp operations. 

Each facility (Base, Camp) is assigned a manager who reports to the Facilities Unit Leader 

and is responsible for managing the operation of the facility. The basic functions or activities 

of the Base and Camp Managers are to provide security service and general maintenance.

• The Ground Support Unit is responsible for supporting out-of-service resources; 

transporting personnel, supplies, food, and equipment; fueling, service, maintenance, and 

repair of vehicles and other ground support equipment; and implementing the Traffic Plan 

for the incident.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.29

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.29

Key Points:

The Finance/Administration Section:

• Is established when incident management activities require finance and other administrative 

support services.

• Handles claims related to property damage, injuries, or fatalities at the incident.

Not all incidents will require a separate Finance/Administration Section. If only one specific 

function is needed (e.g., cost analysis), a Technical Specialist assigned to the Planning Section 

could provide these services.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.30 Student Manual August 2010

GENERAL STAFF

Visual 4.30

Key Points:

Discussion Question:

What are the major responsibilities of each Finance and Administration Unit?
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.31

ICS TOOLS

Visual 4.31

Key Points:

Some important tools you should have available at the incident include:

• ICS forms.

• Position description and responsibilities.

• Emergency Operations Plan. 

• Agency policies and procedures manual.

• Maps.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.32 Student Manual August 2010

ICS TOOLS

Visual 4.32

Key Points:

When receiving ICS forms, some questions you should ask yourself about each form are:

• Purpose – What function does the form perform?

• Preparation – Who is responsible for preparing the form?

• Distribution – Who needs to receive this information?
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.33

ICS TOOLS

Visual 4.33

Key Points:

The Incident Briefing Form (ICS Form 201) is an eight-part form that provides an Incident 

Command/Unified Command with status information that can be used for briefing incoming 

resources, an incoming Incident Commander or team, or an immediate supervisor. The basic 

information includes:

• Incident situation (map, significant events).

• Incident objectives.

• Summary of current actions.

• Status of resources assigned or ordered for the incident or event.

Occasionally, the ICS Form 201 serves as the initial Incident Action Plan (IAP) until a Planning 

Section has been established and generates, at the direction of the Incident Commander, an 

IAP.

The ICS Form 201 is also suitable for briefing individuals newly assigned to the Command and 

General Staffs.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.34 Student Manual August 2010

Sample ICS Form 201

Items 1 through 3 

Identification 

Information

Item 4

Map Sketch
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.35

Sample ICS Form 201

5. Current Organization

Page 2 of 3 Prepared by (name/position)

Incident Commander

Cpt. Jerry Johnson

PIO

Lt. Dave Hanson

Safety Officer

Lt. Tony Silva

Officer Helger

Officer Cargill

Outer Perimeter 

Div. A 

Officer Sandy Smith

Officer DeFrance

Officer Mason

Officer Candalera

Officer Parker

Officer Vincennes

Entry Team

Lt. Silva

Arrest Strike Team

Sgt. Formosa

Inner Perimeter Strike 

Team 

Sgt. Williams

SWAT Group

Sgt. Nelson

Operations Section Chief

Lt. Craig Walker

Planning Section Chief

Sgt. Mike Ferrar

Hostage Negotiation 

Group 

Sgt. Allen Franklin

Staging Area Manager

Wilkins

ALS Ambulance #5

Item 5 

Org. Chart
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.36 Student Manual August 2010

Sample ICS Form 201

6. Resources Summary

Resources Ordered Resource Identification ETA On Scene Location/Assignment

Incident Commander Cpt. Johnson GPD X ICP-Fire Station 10895 W Emerald

Public Info Officer Lt. Dave Hanson X ICP

Safety Officer Lt. Silva GPD X ICP

Operations SC Lt. Craig Walker GPD X ICP

SWAT GPD SWAT – Sgt. Nelson X SWAT Staging - Fire Station 10895 W Emerald

Hostage Negotiation 

Group

Negotiation Group –

Franklin

X ICP

ALS Ambulance ALS #5 X Staging Fire Station 10895 W Emerald

Staging Area Manager Lt. Ralph Wilkins GPD X Staging

Planing SC Sgt. Mike Ferrar GPD X ICP

Division Supervisor Officer Smith GPD X Division A Supervisor OP1

Officer Officer Helger GPD X Division A OP2

Officer Officer DeFrance GPD X Division A OP3

Officer Officer Cargill GPD X Division A OP4

Officer Officer Mason GPD X Division A OP5

7. Summary of Current Actions

Status: Houses inside the outer perimeter have been evacuated, and neighbors interviewed. Outer perimeter 

secured. Inner perimeter sniper/observers stationed (residents have signed agreements allowing SWAT to use 

houses as observation platforms). SWAT Group developing tactical plan. Ambulance and paramedics in staging. 

Dispatch updated. Lifeflight placed on standby. Negotiation Group is interviewing a friend of the girlfriend 

(hostage) and awaiting arrival of subject’s parents. Contact has not been established with the subject. Power and 

gas companies have been notified; representatives are en route.

Initial Objectives:

1 Evacuate houses within the outer perimeter by 1500.

2 Secure outer perimeter from foot and vehicular traffic by 1500.

3 Secure inner perimeter so that subject is not able to escape armed by 1500.

4 Open negotiation with subject for release of hostage and peaceful surrender by 1600.

5 Prepare tactical entry contingency plan by 1630.

Subject Profile/Incident History: Ken Williams, 1015 Mesquite Street, (wm, 6’2”, 190 lbs. brown/brown DOB 

4/27/87) is a high school dropout whose girlfriend, Andrea Hillerman, recently broke up with him. Marsha 

Anderson (a friend of the girl) has told hostage negotiators that the reason for the breakup was that he was 

physically abusive to her. Andrea had gone to his parents’ house, where he lives with his mother and father, to 

retrieve some of her belongings. No one else was home. Once inside, he took her hostage. She managed to call 

911 on her cell phone and reported that he had “lots of guns and bomb stuff” and was threatening to kill himself 

and her. The call was broken off, and police have been unable to establish contact with her. Williams has no prior 

police record.

Page 3 of 3

Item 6 

Resources On-Scene 

and Ordered

Item 7 

Status, Incident 

Objectives, and Current 

Actions/History
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.37

ICS TOOLS

Visual 4.34

Key Points:

The following commonly used ICS forms can be found on the NIMS Resource Center at 

http://www.fema.gov/nims:

• ICS Form 201, Incident Briefing

• ICS Form 202, Incident Objectives

• ICS Form 203, Organization Assignment List

• ICS Form 204, Assignment List

• ICS Form 205, Incident Radio Communications Plan

• ICS Form 206, Medical Plan

• ICS Form 207, Organizational Chart

• ICS Form 209, Incident Status Summary

• ICS Form 210, Status Change Card

• ICS Form 211, Check-In List

• ICS Form 213, General Message

• ICS Form 214, Unit Log

• ICS Form 215, Operational Planning Worksheet

• ICS Form 215a, Incident Action Plan Safety Analysis

• ICS Form 216, Radio Requirements Worksheet

• ICS Form 217, Radio Frequency Assignment Worksheet

• ICS Form 218, Support Vehicle Inventory

• ICS Form 220, Air Operations Summary

• ICS Form 221, Demobilization Plan

• ICS Form 308, Resource Order Form
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.38 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Visual 4.35

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice completing ICS Form 201 using information from a 

scenario incident.

Instructions: Working in your team:

1. Read the scenario on the following page of your Student Manual.

2. Complete the missing elements in the ICS Form 201, Incident Briefing, for the Emerald City 

Floods incident provided in your Student Manual, including: 

o Section 4 – Sketch: Identify and locate the incident facilities on the sketch provided.

o Section 5 – Current Organization: Create an organizational chart for this incident.

o Section 6 – Resource Summary: 

 Complete column 1 listing the resources ordered. (Base this list on the anticipated 

needs and incident objectives.) 

 In column 2, identify the resources by position, training level, or type. 

 In column 3, indicate if the resource is on scene or the time it should arrive. 

 In column 4, indicate the location where the resource is or will be assigned.

3. Choose a spokesperson to present your completed ICS Form 201. Be prepared to present 

your work in 30 minutes.

(Continued on next page.)
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.39

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Scenario

Status:

See map for projected inundation zone and impacted facilities. Floodwaters are projected to 

crest by 1800 3/15.

Initial Incident Objectives:

• Provide safety information and gear to personnel before they begin work assignments.

• Establish and publish schedule for press conferences by 1400.

• Evacuate vulnerable populations and areas of the city that may be cut off by floodwaters by 

1800 today.

• Develop strategy to protect buildings and infrastructure from floodwaters by 1900 today.

Current Actions: 

Command Post established in parking lot at Fire Station in Tactical Mobile Command Vehicle. 

Divisions A, B, C assigned to alert and warning in projected inundation zone; estimate 

completion by 1330. American Red Cross contacted to open shelter at Lafayette Middle School 

by 1400-briefed on evacuees from Lake Emerald Independent Living Center. Nursing Home 

and Lake Emerald Independent Living notified to implement evacuation plans not later than 

1400. Lake Emerald confirms adequate transportation. City Water Authority notified to protect 

water treatment plant by 1600. Rapid River Nuclear Power Plant staff notified and implementing 

flood SOP by 1600. PIO has prepared public service announcement, awaiting approval by City 

Manager; press conference scheduled for 1330 at City Hall. Emerald City EOC in the process 

of being activated. County EOC in the process of being activated. Emerald City Hospital 

notified and prepared to receive Nursing Home evacuees by 1600. Resources ordered to 

support Water Treatment Plant Group and Nursing Home Evacuation Group. Edison Electric, 

Commonwealth Gas Co., and City Transit notified.

Weather: 

Current weather pattern continues through midnight, then partial clearing. Highs in the mid 40s, 

lows in the high 30s. Chance of precipitation 60% through midnight, reducing to 40% after 

midnight. Expected precipitation next 24 hours 0.75 inches. Winds from the west 10-15 mph.

Safety Message: 

Avoid skin contact with floodwaters. Drive with lights on. Watch for downed power lines in flood 

vicinity. Wear personal flotation devices when near/around water. Monitor City radio frequency 

F2 for safety updates.
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.40 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Worksheet: ICS Form 201 (Page 1 of 3)
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.41

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Worksheet: ICS Form 201 (Page 2 of 3)

5. Current Organization

Page 2 of 3 Prepared by (name/position)
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.42 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Worksheet: ICS Form 201 (Page 3 of 3)

6. Resources Summary

Resources Ordered Resource Identification ETA On Scene Location/Assignment

7. Summary of Current Actions

Status:

See map for projected inundation zone and impacted facilities. Floodwaters are projected to crest by 1800 3/15.

Initial Incident Objectives:

 Provide safety information and gear to personnel before they begin work assignments.

 Establish and publish schedule for press conferences by 1400.

 Evacuate vulnerable populations and areas of the city that may be cut off by floodwaters by 1800 today.

 Develop strategy to protect buildings and infrastructure from floodwaters by 1900 today.

Current Actions: Command Post established in parking lot at Fire Station in Tactical Mobile Command Vehicle. Divisions A, B, C 

assigned to alert and warning in projected inundation zone; estimate completion by 1330. American Red Cross contacted to open 

shelter at Lafayette Middle School by 1400-briefed on evacuees from Lake Emerald Independent Living Center. Nursing Home and 

Lake Emerald Independent Living notified to implement evacuation plans not later than 1400. Lake Emerald confirms adequate 

transportation. City Water Authority notified to protect water treatment plant by 1600. Rapid River Nuclear Power Plant staff 

notified and implementing flood SOP by 1600. PIO has prepared public service announcement, awaiting approval by City Manager; 

press conference scheduled for 1330 at City Hall. Emerald City EOC in the process of being activated. County EOC in the process of 

being activated. Emerald City Hospital notified and prepared to receive Nursing Home evacuees by 1600. Resources ordered to 

support Water Treatment Plant Group and Nursing Home Evacuation Group. Edison Electric, Commonwealth Gas Co., and City 

Transit notified.

Weather: Current weather pattern continues through midnight, then partial clearing. Highs in the mid 40s, lows in the high 30s. 

Chance of precipitation 60% through midnight, reducing to 40% after midnight. Expected precipitation next 24 hours 0.75 inches. 

Winds from the west 10-15 mph.

Safety Message: Avoid skin contact with floodwaters. Drive with lights on. Watch for downed power lines in flood vicinity. Wear

personal flotation devices when near/around water. Monitor City radio frequency F2 for safety updates.

Page 3 of 3
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.43

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Sample Answers: ICS Form 201 (Page 1 of 3)
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.44 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Sample Answers: ICS Form 201 (Page 2 of 3)

5. Current Organization

Page 2 of 3 Prepared by (name/position)

Incident Commander

Cpt. Dave Gordon

PIO

Lt. Cheryl Martin

Safety Officer

Lt. Jack Dominguez

Operations Section Chief

Sgt. Jim Hanson

Planning Section Chief

Sgt. Carol Baker

Division A

Lt. Mike 

Fielding

Division B

Sgt. Fred 

Potter

Water Group

Bill White

Nursing Home 

Group 

Cpt. Bill Wu

Officer A

Officer B

Officer C

Officer D

Officer E

Officer F

Officer G

Officer H

Officer I

Officer J

Division C

Sgt. Maria 

Sanchez
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 4.45

ACTIVITY: USING ICS FORM 201

Sample Answers: ICS Form 201 (Page 3 of 3)

6. Resources Summary

Resources Ordered Resource Identification ETA On Scene Location/Assignment

Incident Commander Captain Gordon EPD X ICP-Fire Station

Operations SC Sgt. Hanson EPD X ICP-Fire Station

PIO Lt. Martin EPD X ICP-Fire Station

Division A Sup Lt. Fielding EPD X Division A-Industrial Park

Division B Sup Sgt. Potter EPD X Division B-Nursing Home/Independent Living

Division C Sup Sgt. Sanchez EPD X Division C-Power Plant

Water Group Sup Bill White EWA X Water Treatment Plant

2 Dump trucks 1330 Water Group

2 Front Loaders 1315 Water Group

1 Backhoe 1300 Water Group

Nursing Home Grp. 

Supervisor

Captain Wu EFS X Nursing Home Group evacuation

3 BLS Ambulances A2, A4, A7 1300 Nursing Home Group evacuation

Safety Officer Lt. Dominguez EFD 1245 Nursing Home Group evacuation

Planning SC Sgt. Baker X ICP-Fire Station

7. Summary of Current Actions

Status:

See map for projected inundation zone and impacted facilities. Floodwaters are projected to crest by 1800 3/15.

Initial Incident Objectives:

1. Ensure safety of responders and public in impact area.

2. Ensure effective public information.

3. Evacuate vulnerable populations and areas of the city that may be cut off by floodwaters.

4. Protect buildings and infrastructure from floodwaters.

Current Actions: Command Post established in parking lot at Fire Station in Tactical Mobile Command Vehicle. Divisions A, B, C 

assigned to alert and warning in projected inundation zone; estimate completion by 1330. American Red Cross contacted to open 

shelter at Lafayette Middle School by 1400-briefed on evacuees from Lake Emerald Independent Living Center. Nursing Home and 

Lake Emerald Independent Living notified to implement evacuation plans not later than 1400. Lake Emerald confirms adequate 

transportation. City Water Authority notified to protect water treatment plant by 1600. Rapid River Nuclear Power Plant staff 

notified and implementing flood SOP by 1600. PIO has prepared public service announcement, awaiting approval by City Manager; 

press conference scheduled for 1330 at City Hall. Emerald City EOC in the process of being activated. County EOC in the process of 

being activated. Emerald City Hospital notified and prepared to receive Nursing Home evacuees by 1600. Resources ordered to

support Water Treatment Plant Group and Nursing Home Evacuation Group. Edison Electric, Commonwealth Gas Co., and City 

Transit notified.

Weather: Current weather pattern continues through midnight, then partial clearing. Highs in the mid 40s, lows in the high 30s. 

Chance of precipitation 60% through midnight, reducing to 40% after midnight. Expected precipitation next 24 hours 0.75 inches. 

Winds from the west 10-15 mph.

Safety Message: Avoid skin contact with floodwaters. Drive with lights on. Watch for downed power lines in flood vicinity. Wear

personal flotation devices when near/around water. Monitor City radio frequency F2 for safety updates.

Page 3 of 3
Unit 4. Functional Areas & Positions

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 4.46 Student Manual August 2010

SUMMARY

Visual 4.36

Key Points:

Are you now able to:

• Describe the functions of organizational positions within the Incident Command System 

(ICS)?

• Identify the ICS tools needed to manage an incident?

• Demonstrate the use of an ICS Form 201, Incident Briefing?

The next unit will cover briefings—the types, components, and presentation of incident briefings.
Unit 5: Briefings
This page intentionally left blank.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe components of field, staff, and section briefings/meetings.

• Plan to give an operational period briefing.

Scope

• Unit Introduction

• Unit Objectives

• Types of Briefings

• Briefing Information

• Activity: Briefing Information

• Operational Period Briefing

• Activity: Operational Period Briefing

• Summary

Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.1

UNIT INTRODUCTION

Visual 5.1

Key Points:

The purpose of this unit is to familiarize you with different types of briefings and meetings. The 

activity at the end of the unit will provide an opportunity to practice presenting an effective 

operational briefing.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.2 Student Manual August 2010

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Visual 5.2

Key Points:

The objectives of this unit are as follows:

• Describe components of field, staff, and section briefings/meetings.

• Plan to give an operational period briefing.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.3

TYPES OF BRIEFINGS

Visual 5.3

Key Points:

Effective briefings and meetings are:

• An essential element of good supervision and incident management.

• Intended to pass along vital information required in the completion of incident response 

actions.

Typically, these briefings are concise and do not include long discussions or complex 

decisionmaking. Rather, they allow incident managers and supervisors to communicate specific 

information and expectations for the upcoming work period and to answer questions.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.4 Student Manual August 2010

TYPES OF BRIEFINGS

Visual 5.4

Key Points:

There are three types of briefings/meetings used in ICS: staff level, field level, and section 

level.

• Staff-level briefings are delivered to resources assigned to nonoperational and support tasks 

at the Incident Command Post or Base.

• Field-level briefings are delivered to individual resources or crews who are assigned to 

operational tasks and/or work at or near the incident site.

• Section-level briefings are delivered to an entire Section and include the operational period 

briefing.

These three levels of briefing are described in more detail on the following page.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.5

TYPES OF BRIEFINGS

Visual 5.4 (Continued)

Three Levels of Incident Briefings

Briefing Type Description

Staff-Level Briefing This level typically involves resources assigned to nonoperational and 

support tasks that are commonly performed at the Incident Base or 

Command Post. These briefings will be delivered to individual staff 

members or full units within a Section. These briefings occur at the 

beginning of the assignment to the incident and as necessary during the 

assignment. 

The supervisor attempts to clarify tasks and scope of the work as well as 

define reporting schedule, subordinate responsibilities and delegated 

authority, and the supervisor’s expectations. The supervisor will also 

introduce coworkers and define actual workspace, sources of work 

supplies, and work schedule.

Field-Level Briefing This level typically involves resources assigned to operational tasks and/or 

work at or near the incident site. These briefings will be delivered to 

individual subordinates, full crews, or multiple crews such as Strike Teams 

or Task Forces and will occur at the beginning of an operational shift. 

The location will usually be near the work site or just prior to mobilization to 

the field. The supervisor attempts to focus the subordinates on their 

specific tasks and helps define work area, reporting relationships, and 

expectations.

Section-Level Briefing This level typically involves the briefing of an entire Section (Operations, 

Planning, Logistics, or Finance/Administration) and is done by the specific 

Section Chief. These briefings occur at the beginning of the assignment to 

the incident and after the arrival of Section supervisory staff. The Section 

Chief may schedule periodic briefings at specific times (once per day) or 

when necessary. A unique briefing in this category is the operational 

period briefing (also called a shift briefing). Here, the Operations Section 

Chief presents the plan for all operational elements for the specific 

operational period. This specific briefing is done at the beginning of each 

operation shift and prior to the operational resources being deployed to the 

area of work. Often, a field-level briefing will take place subsequent to the 

completion of the operational period briefing. 

During any Section-level briefing, the supervisor attempts to share incidentwide direction from the Incident Commander, how the direction impacts the 

Section staff, and specific ways the Section will support the Incident 

Commander’s direction. The supervisor will establish Section staffing 

requirements, Section work tasks, Section-wide scheduling rules, and 

overall timelines for meetings and completion of work products.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.6 Student Manual August 2010

BRIEFING INFORMATION

Visual 5.5

Key Points:

Below is a list of topics that you may want to include in a briefing:

• Current Situation and Objectives

• Safety Issues and Emergency Procedures

• Work Tasks

• Facilities and Work Areas

• Communications Protocols

• Supervisory/Performance Expectations

• Process for Acquiring Resources, Supplies, and Equipment

• Work Schedules

• Questions or Concerns
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.7

ACTIVITY: BRIEFING INFORMATION

Visual 5.6

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice at sifting out the appropriate details when preparing for 

an incident briefing, so that only information that it pertinent to the audience is covered in the 

briefing.

Instructions: Working in your group:

1. Each group will be assigned one type of briefing (staff, field, section).

2. For the assigned type of briefing, list the specific types of information that you think should 

be in briefings. You may want to refer to the two previous visuals.

3. Choose a spokesperson to present your findings to the class. Be ready to present your list 

in 10 minutes.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.8 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: BRIEFING INFORMATION

Visual 5.7

Key Points:

Note: This visual is not in the Student Manual.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.9

ACTIVITY: BRIEFING INFORMATION

Visual 5.8

Key Points:

Note: This visual is not in the Student Manual.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.10 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: BRIEFING INFORMATION

Visual 5.9

Key Points:

Note: This visual is not in the Student Manual.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.11

OPERATIONAL PERIOD BRIEFING

Visual 5.10

Key Points:

The operational period briefing:

• Is conducted at the beginning of each operational period.

• Presents the Incident Action Plan for the upcoming period to supervisory personnel within 

the Operations Section.

• Should be concise.

In addition to the Operations Section Chief, at the operational period briefing the other members 

of the Command and General Staffs as well as specific support elements (i.e., Communications 

Unit, Medical Unit) can provide important information needed for safe and effective performance 

during the shift.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.12 Student Manual August 2010

OPERATIONAL PERIOD BRIEFING

Visual 5.11

Key Points:

The operational period briefing is facilitated by the Planning Section Chief and follows a set 

agenda. A typical briefing includes the following:

• The Planning Section Chief reviews the agenda and facilitates the briefing.

• The Incident Commander presents incident objectives or confirms existing objectives.

Note: Objectives may be presented by the Planning Section Chief.

• The current Operations Section Chief provides current assessment and accomplishments.

• The on-coming Operations Section Chief covers the work assignments and staffing of 

Divisions and Groups for the upcoming operational period.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.13

OPERATIONAL PERIOD BRIEFING

Visual 5.12

Key Points:

Other elements of a typical briefing include the following:

• Technical Specialists present updates on conditions affecting the response (e.g., weather, 

fire behavior, environmental factors).

• The Safety Officer reviews specific risks to operational resources and the identified 

safety/mitigation measures.

• The Special Operations Chief briefs on areas such as Air Operations (if activated).
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.14 Student Manual August 2010

OPERATIONAL PERIOD BRIEFING

Visual 5.13

Key Points:

Other elements of a typical briefing include the following:

• Specific Section Chiefs/Unit Leaders present information related to ensuring safe and 

efficient operations.

• The Incident Commander reiterates his or her operational concerns and directs resources to 

deploy.

• The Planning Section Chief announces the next planning meeting and operational period 

briefing, then adjourns the meeting.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 5.15

ACTIVITY: OPERATIONAL PERIOD BRIEFING

Visual 5.14

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice at preparing and presenting briefings.

Instructions: Working in your team:

1. Prepare an operational period briefing using the information from the Emerald City Flood 

scenario begun in the previous units.

2. Include the following roles:

o Incident Commander

o Planning Section Chief

o Operations Section Chief (assume no change of command)

o Safety Officer

o Weather Specialist

3. Be prepared to present your briefing in 20 minutes.
Unit 5. Briefings

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 5.16 Student Manual August 2010

SUMMARY

Visual 5.15

Key Points:

Are you now able to:

• Describe components of field, staff, and section briefings/meetings?

• Plan to give an operational period briefing?
Unit 6: Organizational Flexibility
This page intentionally left blank.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Explain how the modular organization expands and contracts.

• Complete a complexity analysis when given a scenario.

• Define the five types of incidents.

Scope

• Unit Introduction

• Unit Objectives

• ICS Organizational Flexibility

• Modular Organization

• Complexity Analysis

• Activity: Complexity Analysis

• Resource Kinds and Types

• Incident Complexity Types

• Activity: Incident Types

• Summary

Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.1

UNIT INTRODUCTION

Visual 6.1

Key Points:

The Organizational Flexibility unit introduces you to flexibility within the standard ICS 

organizational structure.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.2 Student Manual August 2010

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Visual 6.2

Key Points:

The objectives of this unit are as follows:

• Explain how the modular organization expands and contracts.

• Complete a complexity analysis when given a scenario.

• Define the five types of incidents.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.3

ICS ORGANIZATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

Visual 6.3

Key Points:

A key principle of ICS is its flexibility. The ICS organization may be expanded easily from a very 

small size for routine operations to a larger organization capable of handling catastrophic 

events.

Standardization within ICS does not limit flexibility. ICS works for small, routine operations as 

well as catastrophic events.

Flexibility does not mean that the ICS feature of common terminology is superseded. Flexibility 

is allowed only within the standard ICS organizational structure and position titles.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.4 Student Manual August 2010

MODULAR ORGANIZATION

Visual 6.4

Key Points:

Incident command organizational structure is based on:

• Size and complexity of the incident.

• Specifics of the hazard environment created by the incident.

• Incident planning process and incident objectives.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.5

MODULAR ORGANIZATION

Visual 6.5

Key Points:

It is important to remember that:

• Only functions and positions that are necessary to achieve incident objectives are filled.

• Each activated element must have a person in charge.

• An effective span of control must be maintained.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.6 Student Manual August 2010

MODULAR ORGANIZATION

Visual 6.6

Key Points:

Activation of organizational elements is flexible, as noted below.

• Many incidents will never require the activation of the entire Command or General Staff or 

entire list of organizational elements within each Section. Other incidents will require some 

or all members of the Command Staff and all sub-elements of each General Staff Section.

• The decision to activate an element (Section, Branch, Unit, Division, or Group) must be 

based on incident objectives and resource needs.

• An important concept is that many organizational elements may be activated in various 

Sections without activating the Section Chief.

• For example, the Situation Unit can be activated without a Planning Section Chief assigned. 

In this case, the supervision of the Situation Unit will rest with the Incident Commander.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.7

MODULAR ORGANIZATION

Visual 6.7

Key Points:

• It is tempting to combine ICS positions to gain staffing efficiency. Rather than combining 

positions, you may assign the same individual to supervise multiple units.

• When assigning personnel to multiple positions, do not use nonstandard titles. Creating 

new titles may be unrecognizable to assisting or cooperating personnel and may cause 

confusion. Be aware of potential span-of-control issues that may arise from assigning one 

person to multiple positions.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.8 Student Manual August 2010

MODULAR ORGANIZATION

Visual 6.8

Key Points:

Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date picture of resource utilization is a critical component of 

incident management. The incident resource management process consists of the following:

• Establishment of resource needs (kind/type/quantity)

• Resource ordering (actually getting what you need)

• Check-in process and tracking (knowing what resources you have and where they are)

• Resource utilization and evaluation (using the resources effectively)

• Resource demobilization (releasing resources that are no longer needed)

This section of the lesson reviews key resource management principles.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.9

MODULAR ORGANIZATION

Visual 6.9

Key Points:

Experience and training will help you to predict workloads and corresponding staffing needs. As 

the graphic illustrates, an incident may build faster than resources can arrive.

Eventually, a sufficient number of resources arrive and begin to control the incident. As the 

incident declines, resources then exceed incident needs. 
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.10 Student Manual August 2010

MODULAR ORGANIZATION

Visual 6.10

\

Key Points:

Incident workload patterns are often predictable throughout the incident life cycle. Several 

examples are provided below:

• Operations Section. The workload of Operations is immediate and often massive. On a 

rapidly escalating incident, the Operations Section Chief must determine appropriate tactics; 

organize, assign, and supervise resources; and at the same time participate in the planning 

process.

• Planning Section. The Resources and Situation Units will be very busy in the initial phases 

of the incident. In the later stages, the workload of the Documentation and Demobilization 

Units will increase.

• Logistics Section. The Supply and Communications Units will be very active in the initial 

and final stages of the incident.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.11

COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS

Visual 6.11

Key Points:

It is important to strike the right balance when determining resource needs. Having too few 

resources can lead to loss of life and property, while having too many resources can result in 

unqualified personnel deployed without proper supervision.

A complexity analysis can help:

• Identify resource requirements.

• Determine if the existing management structure is appropriate.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.12 Student Manual August 2010

COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS

Visual 6.12

Key Points:

Review the following complexity factors (listed on the visual):

• Community and responder safety

• Impacts to life, property, and the economy

• Potential hazardous materials 

• Weather and other environmental influences

• Likelihood of cascading events

• Potential crime scene (including terrorism)

• Political sensitivity, external influences, and media relations

• Area involved, jurisdictional boundaries

• Availability of resources
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.13

ACTIVITY: COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS

Visual 6.13

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice at identifying the indicators that are considered when 

analyzing and determining the complexity of an incident.

Instructions: Working in your team:

1. Select an incident (e.g., flood, building collapse, water main break, bridge accident, hostage, 

hazardous materials, fire, disease outbreak, planned event, etc.). (Or you may want to 

assign an incident type to each team.)

2. Using the worksheet in the Student Manual (see the next page), identify a list of indicators 

that you might consider in order to determine the complexity of this incident. List the top 

three critical factors on chart paper.

3. Choose a spokesperson and be ready to present your complexity analysis to the class in 

15 minutes.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.14 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS

Visual 6.13 (Continued)

Activity: Complexity Analysis Worksheet

Describe your selected incident (e.g., flood, building collapse, water main break, bridge 

accident).hostage, hazardous materials, fire, disease outbreak, planned event, etc.).

List the specific indicators that you would use to analyze the complexity of this kind of 

incident. 

Next, select your top three indicators.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.15

COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS

Visual 6.14

Key Points:

Note that as complexity increases, resources expand, requiring an organization with additional 

levels of supervision.

The next visuals will cover the relationships between incident complexity, resources, and ICS 

structure.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.16 Student Manual August 2010

RESOURCE KINDS AND TYPES

Visual 6.15

Key Points:

Managing an expanding incident requires that responders get the right personnel and 

equipment. For this reason, ICS resources are categorized by:

• Kinds of Resources. Describe what the resource is (for example: medic, firefighter, 

Planning Section Chief, helicopter, ambulance, combustible gas indicator, bulldozer).

• Types of Resources. Describe the size, capability, and staffing qualifications of a specific 

kind of resource. 
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.17

RESOURCE KINDS AND TYPES

Visual 6.16

Key Points:

Review the items on the visual. Discussion Question:

Which side (A or B) represents kinds? Which side represents types?
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.18 Student Manual August 2010

RESOURCE KINDS AND TYPES

Visual 6.17

Key Points:

Requesting a resource kind without specifying a resource type could result in an inadequate 

resource arriving on the scene.

Discussion Questions:

• What are the implications of a HazMat team arriving without the appropriate level of 

protective gear?

• Can anyone think of other examples of situations when the response resources 

deployed were not sufficient?

• How about situations where the resources at the scene exceeded the requirements? 

What are the implications of having resources that exceed the requirements?
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 6.19

RESOURCE KINDS AND TYPES

Visual 6.18

Key Points:

• Resource types range from Type I (most capable) to Type IV (least capable), letting you 

reserve the appropriate level of resource for your incident by describing the size, capability, 

and staffing qualifications of a specific resource.

• Assigning the Type I label to a resource implies that it has a greater level of capability than a 

Type II of the same resource (for example, due to its power, size, or capacity), and so on to 

Type IV. 

• Typing provides managers with additional information to aid the selection and best use of 

resources. In some cases, a resource may have less than or more than four types; in such 

cases, either additional types will be identified, or the type will be described as “not 

applicable.” The type assigned to a resource or component is based on a minimum level of 

capability described by the identified metric(s) for that resource. 

NIMS requires the development of a national resource typing protocol. 

The next page provides a sample resource typing.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.20 Instructor Guide August 2010

RESOURCE KINDS AND TYPES
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.21

RESOURCE KINDS AND TYPES

Visual 6.19

Key Points:

• Resource typing is a key component of NIMS. This effort helps all Federal, State, tribal, and 

local jurisdictions locate, request, and track resources to assist neighboring jurisdictions 

when local capability is overwhelmed.

• The National Integration Center encourages Federal, State, tribal, and local officials to use 

the NIMS Resource Typing definitions as they develop or update response assets 

inventories.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.22 Instructor Guide August 2010

RESOURCE KINDS AND TYPES

Visual 6.20

Key Points:

As covered in ICS-100, the following terms apply to resources:

• A Task Force is a combination of mixed resources with common communications operating 

under the direct supervision of a Task Force Leader.

• A Strike Team is a set number of resources of the same kind and type with common 

communications operating under the direct supervision of a Strike Team Leader.

• A Single Resource is an individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or 

a crew or team of individuals with an identified work supervisor that can be used on an 

incident.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.23

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.21

Key Points:

Incidents, like resources, may be categorized into five types based on complexity. Type 5 

incidents are the least complex and Type 1 the most complex.

Incident typing may be used to:

• Make decisions about resource requirements.

• Order Incident Management Teams (IMTs). An IMT is made up of the Command and 

General Staff members in an ICS organization.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.24 Instructor Guide August 2010

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.22

Key Points:

The incident type corresponds to both the number of resources required and the anticipated 

incident duration.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.25

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.23

Key Points:

Characteristics of a Type 5 Incident are as follows:

• Resources: One or two single resources with up to six personnel. Command and General 

Staff positions (other than the Incident Commander) are not activated.

• Time Span: Incident is contained within the first operational period and often within a few 

hours after resources arrive on scene. No written Incident Action Plan is required.

Examples include a vehicle fire, an injured person, or a police traffic stop.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.26 Instructor Guide August 2010

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.24

Key Points:

Characteristics of a Type 4 Incident are as follows:

• Resources: Command Staff and General Staff functions are activated (only if needed). 

Several single resources are required to mitigate the incident.

• Time Span: Limited to one operational period in the control phase. No written Incident 

Action Plan is required for non-HazMat incidents. A documented operational briefing is 

completed.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.27

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.25

Key Points:

Characteristics of a Type 3 Incident are as follows:

• Resources: When capabilities exceed initial attack, the appropriate ICS positions should be 

added to match the complexity of the incident. Some or all of the Command and General 

Staff positions may be activated, as well as Division or Group Supervisor and/or Unit Leader 

level positions. An Incident Management Team (IMT) or incident command organization 

manages initial action incidents with a significant number of resources, and an extended 

attack incident until containment/control is achieved.

• Time Span: The incident may extend into multiple operational periods and a written Incident 

Action Plan may be required for each operational period.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.28 Instructor Guide August 2010

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.26

Key Points:

Characteristics of a Type 2 Incident are as follows:

• Resources: Regional and/or national resources are required to safely and effectively 

manage the operations. Most or all Command and General Staff positions are filled. 

Operations personnel typically do not exceed 200 per operational period and the total does 

not exceed 500. The agency administrator/official is responsible for the incident complexity 

analysis, agency administrator briefings, and written delegation of authority.

• Time Span: The incident is expected to go into multiple operational periods. A written 

Incident Action Plan is required for each operational period.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.29

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.27

Key Points:

Characteristics of a Type 1 Incident are as follows:

• Resources: National resources are required to safely and effectively manage the 

operations. All Command and General Staff positions are activated, and Branches need to 

be established. Operations personnel often exceed 500 per operational period and total 

personnel will usually exceed 1,000. There is a high impact on the local jurisdiction, 

requiring additional staff for office administrative and support functions. The incident may 

result in a disaster declaration.

• Time Span: The incident is expected to go into multiple operational periods. A written 

Incident Action Plan is required for each operational period.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.30 Instructor Guide August 2010

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.28

Key Points:

As mentioned earlier, an IMT is made up of the Command and General Staff members in an 

ICS organization. Persons to fill these positions for various types of incidents or events are 

often predesignated to ensure that they have the necessary training and experience to fulfill the 

roles and responsibilities of the ICS position. The level of training and experience of the IMT 

members, coupled with the identified formal response requirements and responsibilities of the 

IMT, are factors in determining the “type,” or level, of IMT.

Briefly review the following information about IMT types:

• Type 5: Local Village and Township Level – A “pool” of primarily fire officers from several 

neighboring departments trained to serve in Command and General Staff positions during 

the first 6-12 hours of a major or complex incident. 

• Type 4: City, County, or Fire District Level – A designated team of fire, EMS, and 

possibly law enforcement officers from a larger and generally more populated area, typically 

within a single jurisdiction (city or county), activated when necessary to manage a major or 

complex incident during the first 6-12 hours and possibly transition to a Type 3 IMT. 

• Type 3: State or Metropolitan Area Level – A standing team of trained personnel from 

different departments, organizations, agencies, and jurisdictions within a State or DHS 

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) region, activated to support incident management at 

incidents that extend beyond one operational period. Type 3 IMTs will respond throughout 

the State or large portions of the State, depending upon State-specific laws, policies, and 

regulations.

(Continued on the next page.)
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.31

INCIDENT COMPLEXITY TYPES

Visual 6.28 (Continued)

• Type 2: National and State Level – A federally or State-certified team; has less staffing 

and experience than Type 1 IMTs, and is typically used on smaller scale national or State 

incidents. Several dozen Type 2 IMTs are currently in existence, and operate through the 

U.S. Forest Service.

• Type 1: National and State Level – A federally or State-certified team; is the most robust 

IMT with the most experience; is fully equipped and self-contained. Sixteen Type 1 IMTs 

are now in existence, and operate through the U.S. Forest Service.

Source: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/subjects/incident/imt/overview.shtm
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.32 Instructor Guide August 2010

ACTIVITY: INCIDENT TYPES

Visual 6.29

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you practice at determining incident types for various scenarios.

Instructions: Working with your team:

1. Review the facts presented about the five incident scenarios in your Student Manual.

2. Determine the incident type.

3. Choose a spokesperson and be ready to list the incident types for each scenario in 10

minutes.

Note: A table summarizing characteristics of each type is provided after the scenarios.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.33

ACTIVITY: INCIDENT TYPES

Visual 6.29 (Continued)

Scenario 1:

o A multivehicle accident with critical injuries has occurred.

o Local resources are on the scene.

o The rescue and investigation should be complete in one operational period.

o The IAP is verbal.

Scenario 2:

o There is ongoing flooding in a tri-State area.

o Local and regional resources are overwhelmed.

o There are numerous missing and injured persons.

o Additional rain and wind are forecasted.

o The President has declared all counties in the affected region as disaster areas under the 

Stafford Act.

Scenario 3:

o A cargo jet has crashed with injuries onboard and on the ground.

o Possible hazardous materials are aboard.

o State and local resources are managing the incident.

o All Command Staff positions are filled and the Operations and Planning Sections are being 

utilized.

Scenario 4:

o A small kitchen fire has occurred in a single family residence.

o The fire department, police and emergency medical services responded.

o The fire was out by the time the responders arrived on scene.

o The fire department confirmed the fire was out and helped the homeowner clear the smoke 

from the house.

o All units were back in service within one hour after the initial dispatch.

Scenario 5:

o A bank robber is holding staff and patrons hostage.

o An Operations Section has been activated with a Perimeter Control Group, Investigation 

Group, and SWAT Unit.

o The Command Staff includes the Incident Commander and a Public Information Officer.

o The incident may extend into multiple operational periods. 
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.34 Instructor Guide August 2010

ACTIVITY: INCIDENT TYPES

Visual 6.29 (Continued)

Incident Typing Review:

Incidents may be typed in order to make decisions about resource requirements. Incident types

are based on the following five levels of complexity. (Source: U.S. Fire Administration)

Type 5 • The incident can be handled with one or two single resources with up to six personnel.

• Command and General Staff positions (other than the Incident Commander) are not activated.

• No written Incident Action Plan (IAP) is required.

• The incident is contained within the first operational period and often within an hour to a few 

hours after resources arrive on scene.

• Examples include a vehicle fire, an injured person, or a police traffic stop.

Type 4 • Command staff and general staff functions are activated only if needed.

• Several resources are required to mitigate the incident, including a Task Force or Strike Team.

• The incident is usually limited to one operational period in the control phase.

• The agency administrator may have briefings, and ensure the complexity analysis and 

delegation of authority are updated.

• No written Incident Action Plan (IAP) is required but a documented operational briefing will be 

completed for all incoming resources.

• The role of the agency administrator includes operational plans including objectives and 

priorities.

Type 3 • When capabilities exceed initial attack, the appropriate ICS positions should be added to match 

the complexity of the incident.

• Some or all of the Command and General Staff positions may be activated, as well as 

Division/Group Supervisor and/or Unit Leader level positions.

• A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) or incident command organization manages initial 

action incidents with a significant number of resources, an extended attack incident until

containment/control is achieved, or an expanding incident until transition to a Type 1 or 2 IMT.

• The incident may extend into multiple operational periods.

• A written IAP may be required for each operational period.

Type 2 • This type of incident extends beyond the capabilities for local control and is expected to go into 

multiple operational periods. A Type 2 incident may require the response of resources out of 

area, including regional and/or national resources, to effectively manage the operations, 

command, and general staffing.

• Most or all of the Command and General Staff positions are filled.

• A written IAP is required for each operational period.

• Many of the functional units are needed and staffed.

• Operations personnel normally do not exceed 200 per operational period and total incident 

personnel do not exceed 500 (guidelines only).

• The agency administrator is responsible for the incident complexity analysis, agency 

administrator briefings, and the written delegation of authority.

Type 1 • This type of incident is the most complex, requiring national resources to safely and effectively 

manage and operate.

• All Command and General Staff positions are filled.

• Operations personnel often exceed 500 per operational period and total personnel will usually 

exceed 1,000.

• Branches need to be established.

• The agency administrator will have briefings, and ensure that the complexity analysis and 

delegation of authority are updated.

• Use of resource advisors at the incident base is recommended.

• There is a high impact on the local jurisdiction, requiring additional staff for office administrative 

and support functions.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Instructor Guide Page 6.35

SUMMARY

Visual 6.30

Key Points:

Are you now able to:

• Explain how the modular organization expands and contracts?

• Complete a complexity analysis when given a scenario?

• Define the five types of incidents?

The next unit presents information about transfer of command.
Unit 6. Organizational Flexibility

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 6.36 Instructor Guide August 2010

This page intentionally left blank.
Unit 7: Transfer of Command
This page intentionally left blank.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 7.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe the process of transfer of command.

• List the essential elements of information involved in transfer of command.

Scope

• Unit Introduction

• Unit Objectives

• Transfer of Command

• Briefing Elements

• Activity: Transfer of Command

• Summary

Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 7.1

UNIT INTRODUCTION

Visual 7.1

Key Points:

The Transfer of Command unit introduces you to transfer of command briefings and procedures.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 7.2 Student Manual August 2010

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Visual 7.2

Key Points:

The objectives of this unit are as follows:

• Describe the process of transfer of command.

• List the essential elements of information involved in transfer of command.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 7.3

TRANSFER OF COMMAND

Visual 7.3

Key Points:

Transfer of command is the process of moving the responsibility for incident command from one 

Incident Commander to another.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 7.4 Student Manual August 2010

TRANSFER OF COMMAND

Visual 7.4

Key Points:

Transfer of command may take place for many reasons, including when: 

• A jurisdiction or agency is legally required to take command.

• Change of command is necessary for effectiveness or efficiency.

• Incident complexity changes.

• There is a need to relieve personnel on incidents of extended duration.

• Personal emergencies arise (e.g., Incident Commander has a family emergency).

• Agency administrator directs a change in command.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 7.5

TRANSFER OF COMMAND

Visual 7.5

Key Points:

The arrival of a more qualified person does NOT necessarily mean a change in incident 

command. 

The more qualified individual may:

• Assume command according to agency guidelines.

• Maintain command as it is and monitor command activity and effectiveness.

• Request a more qualified Incident Commander from the agency with more experience 

and/or specialized training.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 7.6 Student Manual August 2010

TRANSFER OF COMMAND

Visual 7.6

Key Points:

One of the main features of ICS is a procedure to transfer command with minimal disruption to 

the incident. This procedure may be used any time personnel in supervisory positions change.

Whenever possible, transfer of command should:

• Take place face-to-face.

• Include a complete briefing.

The effective time and date of the transfer should be communicated to personnel.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 7.7

BRIEFING ELEMENTS

Visual 7.7

Key Points:

Discussion Question: 

What would you include in a transfer of command briefing?
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 7.8 Student Manual August 2010

BRIEFING ELEMENTS

Visual 7.8

Key Points:

A transfer of command briefing should always take place. The briefing should include:

• Situation status.

• Incident objectives and priorities.

• Current organization.

• Resource assignments.

• Resources ordered and en route.

• Incident facilities.

• Incident communications plan.

• Incident prognosis, concerns, and other issues.

• Introduction of Command and General Staff members.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 7.9

BRIEFING ELEMENTS

Visual 7.9

Key Points:

Agency policies and incident-specific issues may alter the transfer of command process. In all 

cases, the information shared must be documented and saved for easy retrieval during and 

after the incident.

The initial Incident Commander can use the ICS Form 201 to document actions and situational 

information. 

For more complex transfer of command situations, every aspect of the incident must be 

documented and included in the transfer of command briefing. 
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 7.10 Student Manual August 2010

ACTIVITY: TRANSFER OF COMMAND

Visual 7.10

Key Points:

Activity Purpose: To give you the opportunity to identify the elements that should be included 

in a transfer of command briefing.

Instructions: Working individually:

1. Review the Emerald City Flood update provided in your Student Manual.

2. Review the list of briefing elements and check the items that should be included in the 

transfer of command briefing.

3. Be prepared to share your answer in 5 minutes.

Incident Update: Let’s return to the Emerald City Incident. It is now 1800 and the water level 

is still rising. You are relieving the current Incident Commander for the next operational period. 

Review the list below and check the items that should be included in the transfer of command 

briefing.
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 7.11

ACTIVITY: TRANSFER OF COMMAND

Visual 7.10 (Continued)

Transfer of Command Activity

Briefing Element Yes No

Situation Status

Incident Objectives and Priorities

Current Organization

Current Expenditures and Anticipated Budget

Resource Assignment

Resources En Route or On Order

Incident Facilities

Incident Communications Plan

News Releases and Media Monitoring Reports

Incident Prognosis

Special Requests from Agency Representatives

Introduction of Command and General Staff Members
Unit 7. Transfer of Command

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 7.12 Student Manual August 2010

SUMMARY

Visual 7.11

Key Points:

Are you now able to:

• Describe the process of transfer of command?

• List the essential elements of information involved in transfer of command?

The next unit will summarize the key learning points of the course.
Unit 8: Course Summary
This page intentionally left blank.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.i

Unit Objectives

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Summarize the key learning points of the course. 

• Complete a course evaluation.

Scope

• Unit Introduction

• Leadership and Management

• Delegation of Authority

• Functional Areas & Positions

• Briefings 

• Organizational Flexibility

• Transfer of Command

• Final Exam

• Course Evaluation

Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.1

UNIT INTRODUCTION

Visual 8.1

Key Points:

This unit provides a brief summary of the key learning points of the course. After reviewing the 

summary information, you will receive instructions for taking the final exam.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.2 Student Manual August 2010

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Visual 8.2

Key Points:

The Leadership and Management unit provided a detailed look at the following ICS features: 

• Chain of Command refers to the orderly line of authority within the ranks of the incident 

management organization. 

• Unity of Command means that each individual involved in incident operations will be 

assigned to only one supervisor to whom they report. 

• Unified Command is a management structure used in multijurisdictional or multiagency 

incidents. Unified Command is not implemented in all incidents.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.3

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Visual 8.3

Key Points:

Within the ICS organization, information must flow freely. The types of communication are

summarized below.

• Formal communication channels must be used when: 

o Receiving and giving work assignments. 

o Requesting support or additional resources.

o Reporting progress of assigned tasks.

• Informal communication is the exchange of incident information among responders that 

does not involve tasking work assignments or requests for support or additional resources.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.4 Student Manual August 2010

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Visual 8.4

Key Points:

Common leadership responsibilities include:

• Ensuring safe work practices. 

• Taking command of assigned resources. 

• Motivating with a “can do safely” attitude. 

• Demonstrating initiative by taking action. 

• Communicating by giving specific instructions and asking for feedback. 

• Supervising the scene of action. 

• Evaluating the effectiveness of the plan. 

• Understanding and accepting the need to modify plans or instructions. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.5

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

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Key Points:

The ICS organization: 

• Is typically structured to facilitate activities in five major functional areas: command, 

operations, planning, logistics, and finance and administration. 

• Has a scalable organizational structure that is based on the size and complexity of the 

incident. 

• Uses standard terminology to refer to elements and positions.

• Helps maintain a span of control that is between 3 and 7 subordinates.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.6 Student Manual August 2010

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

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Key Points:

The Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives unit presented information about:

• The delegation of authority process.

• Management by objectives and the Incident Action Plan.

• Preparedness plans (Federal, State, or local Emergency Operations Plans, Standard 

Operating Guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures, etc.).
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.7

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

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Key Points:

Throughout the incident, objectives are established based on the following priorities:

• First Priority: Life Safety 

• Second Priority: Incident Stabilization 

• Third Priority: Property Preservation 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.8 Student Manual August 2010

FUNCTIONAL AREAS & POSITIONS

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Key Points:

The Functional Areas & Positions unit reviewed ICS organizational components, including:

• The Incident Commander, who has the overall responsibility for the incident management. 

• The Deputy Incident Commander, who performs assigned tasks and may relieve the 

Incident Commander. A Deputy must be fully qualified and equally capable to assume the 

position. 

• The Command Staff, which carries out staff functions needed to support the Incident 

Commander. These functions include interagency liaison, incident safety, and public 

information.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.9

FUNCTIONAL AREAS & POSITIONS

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Key Points:

Remember that:

• An Agency Representative is an individual assigned to an incident from an assisting or 

cooperating agency. 

• An assisting agency is defined as an agency or organization providing personnel, services, 

or other resources to the agency with direct responsibility for incident management.

• A cooperating agency is an agency supplying assistance other than direct operational or 

support functions or resources to the incident management effort.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.10 Student Manual August 2010

FUNCTIONAL AREAS & POSITIONS

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Key Points:

The Operations Section:

• Is part of the General Staff of an ICS organization.

• 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. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.11

FUNCTIONAL AREAS & POSITIONS

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Key Points:

In addition to the Operations Section, the General Staff includes: 

• Planning Section: Responsible for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of 

information related to the incident, and for the preparation and documentation of Incident 

Action Plans. This Section also maintains information on the current and forecasted 

situation, and on the status of resources assigned to the incident. 

• Logistics Section: Responsible for providing facilities, services, and materials for the 

incident. 

• Finance/Administration Section: Responsible for all incident costs and financial 

considerations. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.12 Student Manual August 2010

FUNCTIONAL AREAS & POSITIONS

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Key Points:

The Incident Briefing Form (ICS Form 201) provides an Incident Command/Unified Command 

with status information that can be used for briefing incoming resources, an incoming Incident 

Commander or team, or an immediate supervisor. The basic information includes:

• Incident situation (map, significant events).

• Incident objectives. 

• Summary of current actions. 

• Status of resources assigned or ordered for the incident or event. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.13

BRIEFINGS

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Key Points:

The Briefings unit introduced the three types of briefings/meetings used in ICS, including:

• Staff-level briefings, which are delivered to resources assigned to nonoperational and 

support tasks at the Incident Command Post or Base. 

• Field-level briefings, which are delivered to individual resources or crews who are 

assigned to operational tasks and/or work at or near the incident site. 

• Section-level briefings, which are delivered to an entire Section and include the 

Operational Period Briefing. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.14 Student Manual August 2010

BRIEFINGS

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Key Points:

The Operational Period Briefing:

• May be referred to as the Shift Briefing. 

• Is conducted at the beginning of each operational period. 

• Presents the Incident Action Plan for the upcoming period to supervisory personnel within 

the Operations Section. 

• Should be concise. 

In addition to the Operations Section Chief, the other members of the Command and General 

Staffs as well as specific support elements (e.g., Communications Unit, Medical Unit) can 

provide important information needed for safe and effective performance during the shift. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.15

ORGANIZATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

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Key Points:

The Organizational Flexibility unit described the flexibility within the standard ICS organizational 

structure and the ICS principle of management by objectives.

It is important to strike the right balance when determining resource needs. Having too few 

resources can lead to loss of life and property, while having too many resources can result in 

unqualified personnel deployed without proper supervision. A complexity analysis can help 

ensure the right resource balance.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.16 Student Manual August 2010

ORGANIZATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

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Key Points:

To ensure that responders get the right personnel and equipment, ICS resources are 

categorized by:

• Kinds of Resources: Describe what the resource is (for example: registered nurse, 

emergency physician, engineer, security officer, ambulance). 

• Types of Resources: Describe the size, capability, and staffing qualifications of a specific 

kind of resource. Types range from Type 1 (most capable) to Type 4 (least capable), letting 

you reserve the appropriate level of resource for your incident by describing the size, 

capability, and staffing qualifications of a specific resource.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.17

ORGANIZATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

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Key Points:

Incidents, like resources, may be categorized into types based on complexity, with a total of five 

types used to delineate levels of incident complexity. Type 5 incidents are the least complex 

and Type 1 are the most complex. 

Incident typing may be used to:

• Make decisions about resource requirements. 

• Order Incident Management Teams (IMTs). An IMT is made up of the Command and 

General Staff members in an ICS organization. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.18 Student Manual August 2010

TRANSFER OF COMMAND

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Key Points:

The Transfer of Command unit covered transfer of command briefings and procedures. 

Transfer of command may take place for many reasons, including when: 

• A jurisdiction or agency is legally required to take command. 

• Change of command is necessary for effectiveness or efficiency. 

• Incident complexity changes. 

• There is a need to relieve personnel on incidents of extended duration. 

• Personal emergencies arise (e.g., Incident Commander has a family emergency). 

• The agency administrator directs a change in command. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.19

TRANSFER OF COMMAND

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Key Points:

One of the main features of ICS is a procedure to transfer command with minimal disruption to 

the incident. This procedure may be used any time personnel in supervisory positions change.

Whenever possible, transfer of command should:

• Take place face-to-face. 

• Include a complete briefing. 

The effective time and date of the transfer should be communicated to personnel.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.20 Student Manual August 2010

FINAL EXAM

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Key Points:

Instructions: IS-200.b test instructions:

1. Take a few moments to review your Student Manuals and identify any questions.

2. Make sure that you get all of your questions answered prior to beginning the final test.

3. When taking the test . . .

o Read each item carefully.

o Circle your answer on the test. 

o Check your work and transfer your answers to the computer-scan (bubble) answer sheet 

or take the test online.

You may refer to your Student Manuals and the NIMS document when completing this test. 
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

August 2010 Student Manual Page 8.21

COURSE EVALUATION

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Key Points:

Completing the course evaluation form is important. Your comments will be used to evaluate 

the effectiveness of this course and make changes for future versions. 

Please use the course evaluation forms provided by the organization sponsoring the course.
Unit 8. Course Summary

IS-200.b – ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS 200)

Page 8.22 Student Manual August 2010

Your Notes: