Incident Commander Type 4

Introduction

The Incident Commander’s responsibility is the overall management of the incident. On most incidents the command activity is carried out by a single Incident Commander. The Incident Commander is selected by qualifications and experience.

Duties

• Provides for the safety, welfare, and accountability of assigned personnel during the entire period of command.
• Initiates and maintain ICS Form 201.
• Gathers initial data, observe and record information.
• Sizes up fire situation.
• Follows the Standard Fire Orders, Watch Out Situations, and Urban Interface Watch Out Situations.
• Establishes command, notify dispatch, and advise all incident resources upon arrival.
• Develops an Incident Action Plan. (Incident objective(s), Strategy(ies), Tactics, Resource assignments, Safety information covering all hazards and all relevant safety principles).
• Determines the general area of origin.
• Briefs and keeps subordinates informed.
• Directs and coordinates the initial attack resources.
• Communicates using concise messages with clear-text.
• Monitors the weather and other environmental factors to anticipate changes in fire behavior.
• Evaluates progress.
• Recognizes when the incident expands beyond initial response capabilities. Determines if incident complexity exceeds Incident Commander’s (IC) skill level.
• Adjusts tactics to meet changing conditions.
• Keeps supervisor, designated officer or dispatch informed of progress, current and anticipated problems, and needs.
• Takes necessary precautions to ensure the values to be protected and control lines are secured.
• Determines when the fire is out or safe to abandon when incident objectives are met.
• Maintains adequate records as to events, use of personnel, equipment and supplies, and other data for fire management needs.
• Briefs and submits complete documentation to supervisor, designated officer or dispatch at end of suppression action.
• Prepares and discusses performance evaluations with subordinates.
• Participates in post-incident review with supervisor, designated officer or dispatch.
• Briefs and provides complete and accurate records to relief when appropriate.
• Establishes immediate priorities.
• Ensures that strategy approved by the agency administrator is considered and implemented if possible. If not, initiates contact with agency administrator to provide an update on the situation and receive concurrence on new strategy.
• Develops and implement tactics for containment of the fire based upon agency administrator’s briefing, available resources, weather forecasts, and information gathered during size-up.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

• Fire Operations in Urban Interface (S-215)
• Satisfactory position performance as a Single Resource Boss (Crew, Dozer, Engine, Tractor/Plow) and
• Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 on a wildland fire incident