In the previous lesson, you learned that the Command Staff supports the Incident Commander who is responsible for overall management of the incident. This lesson introduces you to the General Staff. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Identify the Incident Command System (ICS) titles used for General Staff members.
• Describe the major activities of the four general staff sections.

Video Transcript

As you previously learned, an Incident Commander is responsible for all incident management functions including: operations, planning, logistics, and finance and administration.

Depending on the incident needs, the Incident Commander may delegate some or all of these functions by establishing Sections. If a Section Chief is assigned to an incident, he or she will report directly to the Incident Commander.

Together, these Section Chiefs are referred to as the General Staff. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities of each Section Chief.

The Operations Section Chief is responsible for developing and implementing strategy and tactics to accomplish the incident objectives. This means that the Operations Section Chief organizes, assigns, and supervises all the tactical or response resources assigned to the incident. Additionally, if a Staging Area is established, the Operations Section Chief would manage it.

The Planning Section Chief oversees the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of operational information related to the incident. It is the Planning Section’s responsibility to prepare and disseminate the Incident Action Plan, as well as track the status of all incident resources.

The Planning Section helps ensure responders have accurate information and provides resources such as maps and floor plans.

The Logistics Section is responsible for providing facilities, services, and material support for the incident.

Logistics is critical on more complex incidents. The Logistics Section Chief assists the Incident Commander and Operations Section Chief by providing the resources and services required to support incident activities. During an incident, Logistics is responsible for ensuring the well-being of responders by providing sufficient food, water, and medical services. Logistics is also responsible for arranging communication equipment, computers, transportation, and anything else needed to support the incident.

Another critical function during complex incidents is Finance and Administration. The Finance and Administration Section Chief is responsible for all of the financial and cost analysis aspects of an incident. These include contract negotiation, recording personnel and equipment time, documenting and processing claims for accidents and injuries occurring at the incident, and keeping a running tally of the costs associated with the incident.

We’ve now introduced you to the four ICS Sections.

It is important to remember that the ICS organizational structure is determined based on the incident objectives and resource requirements. It expands and contracts in a flexible manner. And, only those functions, positions, or sections necessary for a particular incident are filled.

The Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for an Operations Section and, if so, will designate an Operations Section Chief. It is up to the Operations Section Chief to activate any additional staffing that is needed. When the Operations Section Chief is designated, the staging and management of operational resources moves from the Incident Command to Operations.

If no Operations Section is established, the Incident Commander will perform all operations functions.

The major activities of the Operations Section may include:

• Implementing strategies and developing tactics to carry out the incident objectives
• Directing the management of all tactical activities on behalf of the Incident Commander
• Supporting the development of the Incident Action Plan to ensure it accurately reflects current operations
• Organizing, assigning, and supervising the tactical response resources

The Planning Section Chief is designated only after the Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for a Planning Section. It is up to the Planning Section Chief to activate any additional staffing that is needed.

The Incident Commander will perform all planning functions if no Planning Section is established.

The major activities of the Planning Section may include:

• Preparing and documenting Incident Action Plans
• Managing information and maintaining situational awareness for the incident
• Tracking resources assigned to the incident
• Maintaining incident documentation
• Developing plans for demobilization

The Logistics Section Chief is designated only after the Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for a Logistics Section. It is up to the Logistics Section Chief to activate any additional staffing that is needed.

The Incident Commander will perform all logistics functions if no Logistics Section is established.

The Logistics Section is responsible for all services and support needs, including:

• Ordering, obtaining, maintaining, and accounting for essential personnel, equipment, and supplies
• Providing communication planning and resources
• Setting up food services for responders
• Setting up and maintaining incident facilities
• Providing support transportation
• Providing medical services to incident personnel

The Incident Commander determines whether there is a need for a Finance/Administration Section at the incident. If so, the Incident Commander will designate an individual to fill the position of the Finance/Administration Section Chief.

The Time, Compensation/Claims, Cost, and Procurement Units may be established within this section.

The Finance/Administration Section is set up for any incident that requires incident-specific financial management. The Finance/Administration Section is responsible for:

• Contract negotiation and monitoring
• Timekeeping
• Cost analysis
• Compensation for injury or damage to property
• Documentation for reimbursement (e.g., under mutual aid agreements and assistance agreements)

This lesson introduced you to:

• The Incident Command System (ICS) roles of the General Staff.
• The major activities of the four ICS General Staff sections.

The next lesson focuses on how the ICS applies to you and your agency or organization.