Page 1 OPSICS Version 1. 3 3/1/92 INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM [Category: OPS] ICS RACES RESPONDER'S CHECKLIST This checklist applies to State RACES personnel and is recommended to the RACES in other jurisdictions and organizations using the Incident Command System. 1. Receive your assignment and mission or order number. 2. Check in at the incident base or where directed above. 3. Obtain briefing from supervisor. This should include sleeping, feeding and other details. 4. Acquire work materials if required. 5. Organize and brief subordinates. Everybody has a supervisor. 6. Observe communications procedures and discipline. 7. Brief your relief as you would want to be briefed. 8. Complete necessary forms and record keeping. THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WORKING WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ICS ORGANIZATION IS MAINTAINING A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BY KEEPING THE COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS OPEN. RB 080 ICS PROPER RADIO USAGE [Also see Sub-section OPERATIONS TECHNIQUES, under OPERATIONS category] 1. Official use only. 2. Message priorities in declining order: a. Death, injury, accident, medical aid b. Report of a new incident c. New incident communications d. Other incident messages e. Routine administrative messages 3. Plan your messages. 4. No profanity. 5. Report facts, not opinions. 6. Speak clearly and in a normal tone. 7. Use clear text (no ten, ham or other codes). RB081 CDF&FP GLOSSARY The following are terms you may encounter while handling wildland fire traffic. Prepared by: CALIF. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY & FIRE PROTECTION, AUBURN RANGER UNIT, 13760 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION: It is no longer just "CDF" nor is it the "Division of Forestry". The words "and Fire Protection" were added last year to more accurately reflect the actual activities of the Department. By the same token, it is the U.S. FOREST SERVICE -- not "Forestry Service". INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS): The chain of command on any incident. The incident commander is referred to as the IC and will be identified with the name of the fire he is commanding. Example: "Dog Bar IC". When you are assigned to work a particular fire, you will identify likewise using the fire name. Example: "Dog Bar Base". COMMUNICATIONS CENTER: Located usually at a Headquarters facility but may be elsewhere in a major event. Also located at this facility will be the Fire Information Center which will be manned by Fire Information Officers (FIO). Their function is to relay information to the news media and the general public via the telephone. The communications center will house all of the Amateur radio operations at the location including phone, packet, and ATV if utilized. If several fires are burning simultaneously, there will be multiple radio circuits set up. Headphones are an absolute must for working in this environment as it becomes very noisy and confused. The FIO's will be answering telephones, packet printers will be clacking and people will be talking to one another. In an extended attack fire, this center will remain operational 24 hours per day unless other instructions are given. Identification of stations operating here will be as above. Example: "Dog Bar Communications". RB039 COMMAND POST: The command post is usually the location from which the IC and his staff direct the attack on the fire. It is usually located near the fire, often offering a view of the fire or smoke. During the initial attack on a fire, the Command Post is a very busy place. If you are assigned to a Command Post, report to the IC on arrival; introduce yourself. Get a feel for the activity before approaching the IC for information or direction. The Command Post and Staging Area may be one and the same. STAGING AREA: The Staging Area is that point to which all incoming equipment and personnel will report prior to being dispatched on the fire line. You may also be required to pass through the Staging Area. This is another very busy location, especially during the initial stages of a fire. A Staging Area Manager will be in charge of the operation and you should report to him immediately on arrival, telling him your assignment; i.e., Command Post, Base, etc. BASE (BASE CAMP OR FIRE CAMP): The Base is located some distance from the fire zone. When complete, the Base resembles a small town with food service, bathrooms, showers, sleeping areas, administrative offices, communication centers, medical facilities, gasoline station, etc. On a large fire, many hundreds of individuals will depend on the Base for support. Base can be a very busy and exciting location. At Base, ham radio will handle a large volume of logistical traffic as much of the ordering of supplies and equipment will go out via Amateur Radio. Additionally, many of the various managers located at Base will have the need to speak directly to other locations and will often utilize our ham radio circuits for this activity. As a result, much time is spent locating the various individuals to come to our radio location to get on the air. On a major fire, we will attempt to staff the Base with a motor home, trailer, or the like as the individuals assigned may have to remain for several days or more. RB040 EXTENDED FIRE ATTACK: An Extended Fire Attack is, as the name implies, one that will not be quickly extinguished. Extended attack fires will usually require a large amount of equipment and personnel. They will often require the creation of Base facilities and have a large administrative staff ("overhead"). VIP (CDF&FP Volunteers-In-Prevention) hams will most often operate during extended attack fires. HANDCREWS: A word about the handcrews used on fires by the CDF&FP is in order. Several types of crews are utilized: members of the California Conservation Corps, wards of the State under the California Youth Authority, and professionals such as the Hobart Hotshots and others. The CYA wards are prisoners from various CYA camps and facilities. They are always dressed in orange clothing as opposed to the yellow worn by all other personnel. To avoid problems, it is best not to engage the wards in conversation as their supervisors may have given orders not to talk to anyone. Handcrews are used to do much of the cutting of fire breaks, downing burned trees, and etc. They are a valuable resource in controlling the fire and are either very busy or very tired. Do not get in their way. S.O. or SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE: As utilized in a fire situation, S.O. can refer to several different things. First, it can mean the Sheriff's Office of the county in which you are operating. Additionally, it can mean the headquarters office of the U.S. Forest Service Supervisor for that National Forest. Make certain you are clear as to what is meant at the time the term first comes up. FIRE INFORMATION OFFICERS: Fire Information Officers are individuals who have completed specialized training courses to prepare them to act as Public Information Officers or Press Liaison persons. In the past, many hams have performed this function in this Ranger Unit but, from now on, that will be minimized. Our main role is to provide an auxiliary communications service. RB039-041 communications service. RB039-041