This document provides guidance for initial command actions at an incident scene. It outlines a 5 step method for initial commanders: 1) arrival and location confirmation, 2) reporting conditions, 3) declaring command, 4) stating an action plan, and 5) requesting resources. Key information includes sizeing up the incident, establishing priorities, and considering all risks like hazmat, mass casualties, or structural collapse. Checklists, forms, and reference materials can help the initial commander effectively take control and command the incident. Proper preparation and training will help any commander to be ready for the initial response.

1. Size Up & Incident
Command
A Guide for Initial Command
Actions

2. Not A Soap
Box

3. D.I.M.W.I.T.
Does it matter what I’m transmitting?

4. Fireground Priorities
Life safety
Incident stabilization
Property conservation

5. Initial Command Actions
Will Often Determine the Future
Course of the Incident

6. 5 Step Method
1. Arrival
2. Report on Conditions
3. Declare Assuming Incident Command
4. Action Plan Statement
5. Resources Needed

7. 1. ARRIVAL
►A Brief Statement That You Are At Scene
“Camino, ____(your I.D.), At Scene”
► Confirm Address or Location of Incident
“2345 ______ Road”

8. 2. Report On Conditions
►A Brief Description of the Incident
 (What do you see?… paint a picture for Dispatch & for those listening)
 Describe Occupancy Use, Building Type, or Construction
►Key Phrases Are Useful
 Some Typical Key Phrases for Structure Fires:
►“Nothing Showing”
►“Smoke Showing” or “Fire & Smoke Showing”
►“Fully Involved” or % or “Room & Contents”
►“Building Evacuated”

9. Report on Conditions
Continued
►Key Phrases for Wildland Incidents:
 Size: “____Acres”
 Rate of Spread: “Slow, Moderate, Rapid”
 Fuel Type: “Grass, Brush,Timber”
 Direction of Spread: “Topographical or
N,S,E,W”
►Note: Indicate if Threat to Structures

10. 3. Declare Assumption of
Incident Command
►ECC Assigns Incident Name and Tactical
Frequency / Channel
►Declare Assuming Command
►Confirm the Incident Name, On the Air:
 “I Will Be _____ (Name) I.C. on Tac 9
► Identify Location of ICP
 “ICP is Located at _______”

11. When in Charge
Take Charge

12. Assuming Command vs.
Passing Command
►Tactical Priority Requires You Take Action
Rather Than Assume Command
►Life Rescue
►Time Factors in Operations
►Limitations on Passing Command
►See District S.O.P. 201, Section IV

13. 4. Action Plan
►An Initial Statement of Objectives
►Command Texts Often Refer to “Modes”
►Key Action Phrases:
 “Inside to Investigate”
 “Interior Attack Line with Rescue”
 “Offensive”
 “Defensive”

14. Action Plan
continued
►Assigning Other Units In Your Plan
 “Engine __, Establish Water Supply”
 “Take Ventilation”
 “Take the Left Flank”
 “Protect Exposures”
 “Set Up Traffic Control”
►Note: Think of RECEO

15. RECEO
Establish Priorities
►Rescue
►Exposures
►Confinement
►Extinguishment
►Overhaul
►Salvage & Ventilation

16. 5. Resources Needed
►Do you have Enough Resources?
 If so, then transmit:
“Can Handle with Units At Scene”
Do you have Authority to Order:
Additional Company’s ? Alarms?
Remember: When in Charge, Take Charge

17. Staging Resources
►If You Can’t Find the Incident, Consider
Staging Your Incoming Units
 “Have All Units Hold Present Location”
►Useful Technique: Staging Area
►Note: If You Must Create a Staging Area
 Assign a Staging Area Manager (STAM)

18. Canceling Resources
►If Not Needed, Canceling is a Valid Option
►Better to Order Too Much Than Not Enough
►Never Too Late to Cancel Resources
►You Can Always Send Them Home
►Asserting a Cancellation is a Function of
Command

19. If you know a Medic Unit will
Transport:
“Camino, Medic 48 Committed”

20. All Risk Considerations
►Mass Casualty Incidents
 Declare an MCI
►Haz Mat
 Isolate, Identify, Deny Entry & Notify (S.I.N.)
►Law Enforcement
 Traffic Control, Road Closure, Early Warning
►Structural Collapse
 Need to Evacuate from Structure, RIC

21. Other “Nuggets”
►F.A.T.S.
 Fireground Accountability Tracking System
►L.C.E.S. (Wildland and “All Risk”)
►Interface Fires with Threat to Structures:
 Immediate Threat to Life & Property

22. Use of Checklists & Guides
►The 10 & the 18
►D.O.T Guide
►F.O.G.
►ICS 201 and Other Forms
►Incident Response Pocket Guide
 NFES #1077, January 2004 (See page 12)
 Lots of Reference Resources for you!

23. Volunteer & Off Duty Response in P.O.V.
►Professionalism
►Cell Phone with ECC’s Phone Number
►Radio
►How to I.D. Self and Pass Information
►What Is Appropriate vs. What Isn’t

24. SUMMARY
►It All Starts With Attitude
►Preparation
►Commitment
 Your Sense of Professional Courtesy
 Seek Information
 The Next Incident will be “Come as you are”
►Practice (and opportunity to practice
►Are you ready?