INCIDENT COMMANDER

The Incident Commander (IC) is responsible for directing and coordinating all aspects of a hazardous materials incident. They are trained to meet requirements for the first responder at the awareness and operational levels and the requirements of a medical responder.

Incident commanders shall receive at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level and in addition have competency in the following areas and the employer shall so certify:

• Know and be able to implement the employer's incident command system
• Know how to implement the employer's emergency response plan
• Know and understand the hazards and risks associated of working in chemical protective clothing
• Know how to implement the local emergency response plan
• Know of the state emergency response plan and of the Federal Regional Response Team
• Know and understand the importance of decontamination procedures.

 

National Fire Protection Association Performance Objectives.

• Provide the IC with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform these activities safely.
• Analyze a hazardous materials incident to determine the magnitude of the problem in terms of outcomes by completing:
• collect and interpret hazard and response information from printed resources, technical resources, computer data bases, and monitoring equipment

• estimate the potential outcomes within the endangered area at a hazardous materials incident

• Plan a response within the capabilities and competencies of available personnel, personal protective equipment, and control equipment by completing these tasks:
• identify the response objectives for hazardous materials incidents
• identify the potential action options (defensive, offensive, non-intervention) available by response objective
• approve the level of personal protective equipment required for a given action
• develop a plan of action consistent with the local emergency response plan
• approve the organization's standard operating procedures and the capability of available personnel, personal protective equipment, control equipment.
• Implement a response to favorably change the outcomes consistent with the local emergency response plan and the organization's standard operating procedures by:

• implement the incident management system including the specified procedures for notification and utilization of non‑local resources (private, state, federal government personnel)
• direct resources (private, governmental, others) with expected task assignments and on‑scene activities, provide management overview technical review and logistical support to private and governmental sector personnel
• provide a focal point for information transfer to media and elected official

• Evaluate the progress of the planned response to ensure the response objectives are met safely, effectively and efficiently and adjust the plan of action accordingly by:

• provide subsequent documentation of the hazardous materials incident
• conduct a post‑incident analysis of the hazardous materials incident
• communicate findings and recommendations to authority having jurisdiction

 

INCIDENT COMMANDER COURSE AGENDA

Duration:        1 day

 
Introduction                                                                                                   
            Introduction to Incident Command
            System Features & Components
            Goals of Incident Command Course

Incident Commander: Duties & Responsibilities                                       
            Notification, Assessment, Planning & Action
            Features of the Incident Command System
            The Decision Making Process

Incident Command Leadership                                                                    
            Leadership Principals
            Management Skills
            Group Dynamics                                  

Incident Commander - Situational Analysis                                                
            Collection of Relevant Information
            Hazard Assessment
            Sizing Up the Situation
            Risk Assessment

Exercise - Role Playing for Incident Commander                                            

Case Studies of Actual Incidents 
                                                                                                                       
Incident Commander - Planning / Implementation                          
            Identifying Potential Options (Strategies / Tactics)
            Developing a Plan of Action
            Approving Personal Protective Equipment
            Implement Components of the Incident Command System
            Problem Solving and Troubleshooting
            Exercise - Strategy, Tactics & Site Control 

Case Study - Crash Incident                                                               

Incident Commander - Skill Set Development                                            
            How to handle a team
            Conducting Post Mortems
            Scheduling Meetings
            Identifying Training Requirements

Health and Safety Plan                                                                                 
            The Need for a HASP
            Developing a HASP
            Exercise - Develop a HASP

Final Summary

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